FAST
Febuxostat versus Allopurinol Streamlined Trial
FAST is a major multicentre study to compare the cardiovascular safety profile of febuxostat versus allopurinol in patients with Gout.
Gout is now the most common type of inflammatory arthritis, with a prevalence exceeding that of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with Gout have an increased risk of vascular disease due to the association with the metabolic syndrome and chronic renal impairment.
· Allopurinol is currently the first-line urate‑lowering therapy.
· Febuxostat is a new drug which is significantly more effective in lowering uric acid than allopurinol.
This FAST study was requested by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to investigate further the CVS safety of both drugs.

Number and location of participating sites (by region/ country): GP practices in Scotland, England and Denmark. (Edinburgh node has over 100 participating GP practices).
EudraCT number: 2011 001883-23
ISRCTN number: ISRCTN72443728 http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN72443728/FAST
Funder: Sponsor (University of Dundee) is receiving funding support from Menarini.
Start and End date of grant award: Contract with Dundee started 30 Nov 2011
Current Status: Data collection and analysis
Website: http://www.fast-study.co.uk/
Contact details:
Sponsor: University of Dundee
Anna Foster (Study Co-ordinator) Tel: 0131 651 9925/ email: anna.foster@ed.ac.uk
Janet Thomson (Clinical Trials Physician) Tel: 07850 256 668 / email: janet.thomson@ed.ac.uk
ECTU Involvement: Trial management, recruitment, data collection, study physician, research nurses