RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Path Analysis Identifies Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand, Osteoprotegerin, and Sclerostin as Potential Mediators of the Tophus-bone Erosion Relationship in Gout JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.150738 DO 10.3899/jrheum.150738 A1 Ashika Chhana A1 Opetaia Aati A1 Gregory D. Gamble A1 Karen E. Callon A1 Anthony J. Doyle A1 Mark Roger A1 Fiona M. McQueen A1 Anne Horne A1 Ian R. Reid A1 Jillian Cornish A1 Nicola Dalbeth YR 2016 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2016/01/02/jrheum.150738.abstract AB Objective To determine the relationship between tophus, erosion and bone remodeling factors in gout. Methods Computed tomography bone erosion and circulating bone factors were measured in adults with tophaceous gout. Multiple regression modeling and path analysis were used to determine predictors of erosion. Results Tophus number, Māori or Pacific ethnicity, creatinine, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and sclerostin were independently associated with erosion. Path analysis showed a direct effect of tophus number on erosion, partially mediated through OPG, RANKL, and sclerostin. Conclusion Tophus number is strongly associated with bone erosion in gout. Circulating RANKL, OPG, and sclerostin are potential mediators of tophus-related erosion.