Expert profile

Dr. David Bursill

Consultant rheumatologist and gout nomenclature researcher

Gout • hyperuricemia • crystal-associated disease nomenclature • treat-to-target therapy • under-treatment of inflammatory arthritis

1Discussion

64 minAnalysed

Last reviewed: Jun 9, 2026·Credential: MBBS, FRACP; Consultant Rheumatologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital; University of Adelaide; nomenclature research fellow for the Gout, Hyperuricemia & Crystal-Associated Disease Network.·First indexed: Jun 9, 2026

Related Health Areas

Chronic Inflammation

Topics discussed

Gout

About the expert

Focus: Standardizing gout nomenclature and closing the gout under-treatment gap

Consultant Rheumatologist at Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of Adelaide, South Australia. Lead author and nomenclature research fellow on the Gout, Hyperuricemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network consensus statement defining labels and definitions across the crystal arthropathy spectrum. Originally a general practitioner who completed specialist rheumatology training including research experience in New Zealand. Active in patient education through The Hospital Research Foundation webinars.

Expert discussions with Dr. David Bursill

Bursill on treat-to-target gout therapy and the under-treatment gap

Gout is a chronic metabolic disease, not just a series of painful flares. Long-term treat-to-target therapy with allopurinol can dissolve existing crystal deposits and may allow prolonged remission or clinical cure in some patients. The biggest barrier is not difficulty of treatment but how often gout is undertreated, often because patients and clinicians focus on flares rather than long-term urate control. Diet alone is rarely sufficient; medication usually is.

64 min

toClarity analysis Watch on YouTube