Objectives:
To explore and describe the inflammatory process (synovial and peripheral blood) associated with silent monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition in asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU).
To compare the inflammatory status with that of subjects with AHU but without crystal deposition.
To compare the inflammatory status with that of patients with intercritical gout.
To analyze the association between inflammation and cardiovascular risk markers—such as lipid profile and atherosclerotic disease (clinical and/or subclinical)—including subgroup comparisons.
Methodology:
Experimental, cross‑sectional study in subjects with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) or intercritical gout. Demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, serum levels of uric acid, lipids, acute‑phase reactants, and renal function will be collected. Carotid ultrasound will be performed to detect subclinical atherosclerosis, along with musculoskeletal ultrasound to identify signs of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition and to obtain synovial fluid samples for MSU crystal identification.
The main analyses will focus on inflammatory cell populations in synovial fluid and peripheral blood, as well as markers of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NETosis. Findings from subjects with AHU and MSU crystals will be compared with those from subjects with AHU without crystals, and with patients with intercritical gout who are untreated at the time of recruitment.
