Future research agenda: propositions developed through three Delphi rounds
| Proposition | |
|---|---|
| EULAR, European League Against Rheumatism; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; MSU, monosodium urate. | |
| 1 | The clinical manifestations of gout require validation against a diagnosis established by identification of MSU crystals. |
| 2 | An optimal protocol (including training) and European standard for the identification of MSU crystals needs to be established. |
| 3 | The validity of diagnosis (sensitivity and specificity) by MSU crystal identification from asymptomatic joints during the intercritical periods needs to be determined. |
| 4 | The diagnostic utility of synovial fluid examination in undiagnosed inflammatory arthritis should be determined. |
| 5 | The value of the saturation point for MSU crystallisation as a cut off point for diagnosis requires investigation. |
| 6 | The possible role of SUA as in independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease requires investigation. |
| 7 | The best method to determine renal urate clearance (to identify relative underexcretion or overproduction or both) and the diagnostic utility of this measure need to be determined. |
| 8 | The value of ultrasound and MRI for diagnosis and monitoring of gout should be investigated. |
| 9 | Genetic factors that predispose to gout need to be identified. |
| 10 | EULAR criteria for classification of gout should be developed. |