None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Gout is the most common form of arthritis in men >40 years of age. The primary biochemical abnormality is elevated serum urate (hyperuricaemia). Hyperuricaemia (serum urate >0.42mmol/L) results from either over production or under excretion of urate. When supersaturation levels are reached, uric acid crystals form and deposit in joints and periarticular tissues, where they cause damage through local mechanical pressure and acute/chronic inflammation. Over time, repeated attacks of gout lead to cartilage damage, bone erosion and permanent disability. The aim of gout management is to reduce serum urate levels to <0.36mmol/L. If serum urate concentrations are consistently maintained at or below this level gouty attacks subside and tophi reduce in size and number . Nutritional supplementation with tart cherry concentrate has been suggested based on previous small studies that revealed a reduction in gout flares in patients consuming large amounts of cherries or tart cherry concentrate. These data are limited to observational studies and the only clinical trials are in small numbers of patients. Thus there is a need for prospective clinical trials of the effects of tart cherry concentrate in patients with gout. The aim of this study is to determine the most effective dose of tart cherry concentrate for use in a large clinical trial.
Interventions
Participants will receive tart cherry concentrate as liquid at one of the following doses for 28 days: 1/2tbsp twice daily, 1 tbsp twice daily, 1.5tbsp twice daily or 2 tbsp twice daily all added in 250mls water and drunk.
Adherence will be measured by self-report, empty bottle return and measurement of anthocyanins in plasma and urine
Sponsors
University of Otago
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Gout as defined by American Rheumatism Association Criteria 2. Serum urate >0.36mmol/l 3. Willing and able to provide informed consent 4. Willing and able to adhere to the study protocol
Exclusion criteria
1. Type 1 diabetes 2. Creatinine clearance <50mls/min 3. Diuretic use 4. allergic to cherries or cherry concentrate 5. Other serious medical conditions that preclude involvement
Outcome results
None listed