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Pasifika intervention to increase uptake of urate-lowering therapy for gout

Year:
2021
Duration:
36 months
Approved budget:
$1,106,324.55
Researchers:
Dr Malakai Ofanoa
,
Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith
,
Dr Maryann Heather
Health issue:
Rheumatology/arthritis
Proposal type:
Pacific Health Project
Lay summary
Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by high urate in the blood, crystallising in joints. First-line treatment involves taking long-term, urate-lowering therapy (ULT) to prevent gout flares. Pacific people are particularly prone to gout, and also have lower rates of ULT use than non-Pacific. Gout flares are painful and lead to disruption to work and family life, chronic joint damage, and hospitalisations. In response to direction from the Pacific People’s Health Advisory Group and the South Auckland Pacific Practice-Based Research Network, this study will conduct a needs assessment on the Pasifika burden of gout in South Auckland. We will then use a co-design approach (with stakeholders including clinicians, community members, patients and their whānau) to develop, implement and evaluate a community-based intervention designed to increase ULT uptake by South Auckland Pasifika. A framework to tailor and implement the intervention in different settings throughout Aotearoa will be produced.