RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Tophus Measurement as an Outcome Measure for Clinical Trials of Chronic Gout: Progress and Research Priorities JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1458 OP 1461 DO 10.3899/jrheum.110272 VO 38 IS 7 A1 NICOLA DALBETH A1 FIONA M. McQUEEN A1 JASVINDER A. SINGH A1 PATRICIA A. MacDONALD A1 N. LAWRENCE EDWARDS A1 H. RALPH SCHUMACHER, Jr A1 LEE S. SIMON A1 LISA K. STAMP A1 TUHINA NEOGI A1 ANGELO L. GAFFO A1 PUJA P. KHANNA A1 MICHAEL A. BECKER A1 WILLIAM J. TAYLOR YR 2011 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/38/7/1458.abstract AB Despite the recognition that tophus regression is an important outcome measure in clinical trials of chronic gout, there is no agreed upon method of tophus measurement. A number of methods have been used in clinical trials of chronic gout, from simple physical measurement techniques to more complex advanced imaging methods. This article summarizes methods of tophus measurement and discusses their properties. Physical measurement using Vernier calipers meets most aspects of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) filter. Rigorous testing of the complex methods, particularly with respect to reliability and sensitivity to change, is needed to determine the appropriate use of these methods. Further information is also required regarding which method of physical measurement is best for use in future clinical trials. The need to develop and test a patient-reported outcome measure of tophus burden is also highlighted.