UAB Center of Research Translation (CORT) (Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc, Director; S. Louis Bridges, Jr, MD, PhD, Co-Director; P50AR060772)

Gout affects roughly 1-2% of the U.S. population. With the “Graying of America”, the societal burden of gout will likely grow. While the causes of hyperuricemia are known, and efficacious treatments for gout are available, there are large gaps in the quality of care of gout patients. It is well known is that gout, hyperuricemia, and vascular disease are more common among African Americans than Caucasians, yet little is known about the impact environmental factors have in increasing risk of gout in this minority population. To address these gaps our multi-disciplinary UAB CORT is conducting 3 research projects focused around the theme of "Gout and Hyperuricemia: from Bench to Bedside to Backyard”.

The objective of the UAB:CORT is to conduct outstanding, innovative research projects. Our projects use state of the art tools from translational research areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, and outcomes. Our current projects include:

      (P1) The Effects of Urate Lowering Therapy on Inflammation, Endothelial function, and Blood Pressure

      (P2) Determinants of Achieving Target Serum Urate in Gout and Safety of Gout Treatments

      (P3) A Novel Centralized 'Virtual' Gout Clinic for Chronic Gout Management.

Administratively, the UAB CORT aims to foster the development of pilot and feasibility projects and the development and application of new translational methods of research in gout and hyperuricemia; as well as promote the training of clinical investigators in methods of  research applicable to gout and hyperuricemia.

Finally, and most importantly, the mission of our center is to improve the health of patients with gout and hyperuricemia. By applying scientifically rigorous, state-of-the-art methodology to clinically important questions in translational investigation and educating clinical investigators in ways to predict, treat, or prevent gout and hyperuricemia we hope to do just that.