RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

RhEumatoid Arthritis MEDIcation Adherence

Rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging, affecting many people and sometimes leading to serious health issues and costs. This study wants to find out if a new approach can help people with rheumatoid arthritis stick to their medication plan better. Researchers are testing a method where pharmacists and doctors work together, starting when a patient is in the hospital and continuing once they go home. They believe this close teamwork could make a real difference in how well patients take their disease-modifying medicines, which are key for managing the condition. The main aim is to compare this team-based care with standard care to see if it helps patients keep up with their treatment over 12 months, ultimately aiming to improve their health.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Hospices Civils de Lyon

Enrolment target

200

Start

28 Jun 2022

Estimated completion

28 Dec 2027

Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is this study about?

This study is about helping people with rheumatoid arthritis manage their condition better. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term illness that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It's important to take your medicines regularly to keep the condition under control and prevent further problems. However, sometimes it can be hard to remember to take all your medications as prescribed.

Researchers want to see if having a team of healthcare professionals – specifically pharmacists and doctors – work together more closely can make it easier for people with rheumatoid arthritis to take their medicines consistently. This team approach would start when you're in the hospital and continue after you've gone home. They believe that getting support from both a pharmacist and a doctor could help you understand your medicines better, remember to take them, and generally improve your health.

The main goal is to compare this team-based support (called 'pharmaceutical care in multiprofessional collaboration') with the usual way patients receive care. They will track how well patients take their 'disease-modifying' medicines – these are medicines designed to slow down the disease – over a 12-month period. By doing this, they hope to learn if this new way of working together truly helps patients stick to their treatment plans and ultimately feel better.

Key takeaways

The study aims to improve how people take their rheumatoid arthritis medicines.
It focuses on teamwork between pharmacists and doctors.
Participation will last for 12 months.
It compares new team-based care with usual care.
The main goal is to see if this support helps patients stick to their meds and improve their health.
You'll continue to receive your standard rheumatoid arthritis treatments.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. You must have recently been in a hospital or attended an appointment at a rheumatology department and returned home. It's also important that you are able to manage your own medicines and understand and speak French.

You should be taking specific types of rheumatoid arthritis medications, such as methotrexate, tsDMARDs (targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs like JAK inhibitors), or bDMARDs (biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) – either continuing these or starting new ones.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you already have a close relationship with your usual pharmacy that's part of the study's 'intervention' group, or if you have serious memory problems. Also, if someone else exclusively manages all your medicines for you, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, this study would not be suitable. The study also cannot include you if you are already involved in another study that might affect the results of this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
Have you recently been in hospital or to a rheumatology clinic?
Are you taking specific rheumatoid arthritis medications like methotrexate or biologics?
Can you manage your own medicines?
Do you speak and understand French?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be placed into one of two groups by chance – like flipping a coin. One group will receive the new team-based support where pharmacists and doctors work together, starting in the hospital and continuing after you go home. The other group will receive the usual care you would normally get for your rheumatoid arthritis.

The main thing the study will track is how consistently you take your 'disease-modifying' medicines over 12 months. This will likely be checked by looking at your prescription refills or pharmacy records. There will be no extra visits or tests beyond what you would normally have for your rheumatoid arthritis, but the 'intervention' group will have ongoing support and discussions with their healthcare team. The total duration of your active participation will be 12 months after your hospital stay or consultation.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of potentially better support for managing your medicines, especially if you're in the group receiving the team-based care. This could lead to taking your medicines more consistently and potentially seeing improvements in your rheumatoid arthritis. For those in the usual care group, you might not see these specific benefits from the study, but you'll still receive your standard medical care. There are no anticipated physical risks from the study itself, as it mainly involves changes in how your care team communicates and monitors your medication, not new treatments. As with any study, you are free to leave at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

Service de rhumatologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon
Verified postcode
Pierre-Bénite, France· Not yet recruiting
Service de rhumatologie et pathologie osseuse - Hôpital Edouard Herriot
Verified postcode
Lyon, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'rheumatoid arthritis'?

It's a long-lasting condition where your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What are 'disease-modifying treatments'?

These are medicines specifically designed to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and prevent permanent joint damage.

What does 'medication adherence' mean?

It means taking your medicines exactly as your doctor prescribed them – the right dose, at the right time, and for the right duration.

Will I get extra medicines if I join this study?

No, this study is about how you take your current medicines, not about trying new ones. You will continue to receive the standard treatments for your rheumatoid arthritis.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your involvement in tracking your medication adherence will last for 12 months after you've left the hospital or had your initial consultation.

How to find out more

Roland CHAPURLAT, MD/PHD

roland.charpulat@chu-lyon.fr 04 72 11 74 82 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.