Active clinical trials for "Arthritis, Rheumatoid"

Study to determine the safety and efficacy of Mobic® ampoules in the initiation of treatment of painful exacerbations of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other similar painful inflammatory conditions.

This study will evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. No treatment is administered in this study.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating disease, causing severe pain and progressive joint destruction and leading to partial loss of mobility. The disease has a severe impact on patients' quality of life, due to the pain and physical impairment it causes, which can also result in psychological and social difficulties. Moreover, the chronic nature of the disease deems necessary the long-term use of medication, causing significant costs to the patient and the healthcare system. The decline in functional ability can cause problems at work, with reduced productivity or even unemployment. In addition, RA can limit the patients' ability for self-care, hence imposing a further burden on the patients' families and the society. Many international studies have confirmed the reduced quality of life for people suffering from RA [1-3], as well as the large economic impact of the disease on the patients, the health system and society [4-6]. However, no assessment of the above impact of RA on the Greek population has been published so far. A wide research of the literature confirms the relationship between costs and quality of life on the one hand and functional ability (as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire) on the other hand. [7-8] The impact of functional ability on quality of life is straightforward, however studies also demonstrate that as disease symptoms progress, without proper treatment, the overall costs undertaken by the patient or the healthcare system can rise significantly. On the other hand, if effective treatment can lessen or postpone the most serious consequences of the disease (such as extensive joint damage that could lead to surgical replacement), the savings on healthcare can offset some of the costs of the more effective drug therapies. In the light of the above findings, it seems important that in order to properly assess therapeutic strategies for RA patients it is necessary to have an accurate view of the total burden of RA on the population. It is also important to be able to establish a robust relationship between functional ability and impact of RA on costs and quality of life.

We aim to translate these findings into patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions treated with anti-TNF (anti-tumor necrosis factor) therapy, such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Patients from rheumatology clinics within NHS (National Health Service) trusts will be recruited. We will correlate disease activity assessed by clinical parameters, ultrasonography, and questionnaires with biomarkers in the blood and target tissues, such as synovium and skin.

Janssen Inc. plans to collect data on about 3000 to 5000 infliximab infusions per year, starting in the third quarter of 2005. It is expected that about 12 sites from the Remicade Infusion Network (R.I.N.) will participate. This registry will be a multicentre, prospective, observational program that will gather and analyze data on subjects being treated with infliximab.

This study will gather information on the safety and efficacy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are starting treatment with infliximab for the first time. Patients will be treated in the usual manner according to local guidelines and normal clinical practice.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of an electronic data capture system (EDCS) in a rheumatology clinical practice setting and to assess the impact of this system on patient satisfaction with patient-physician interaction.

This study will evaluate long-term safety of etanercept with or without other DMARDs in children with polyarticular course or systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) compared to a cohort of subjects with polyarticular or systemic JRA receiving methotrexate with or without other DMARDs.

This study will explore the diverse health beliefs and behaviors among minority patients with rheumatic diseases. These diseases may cause joint pain, stiffness or swelling. Some can involve bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments. Some cause abnormalities of the immune system-the body's defense against disease. Some rheumatic diseases are painful or deforming and some can be life-threatening. Many rheumatic diseases occur more often and more severely in certain minority communities. This study will explore psychosocial and cultural factors related to rheumatic disease in minorities. Patients enrolled in the NIAMS protocol Natural History or Rheumatic Disease in Minority Communities (protocol #01-AR-0227) may participate in this study. Participants will be evaluated at the NIAMS Community Health Center at the Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington, D.C. Participants will be interviewed about individual and community health behavior, and health beliefs about rheumatic disease and its effects on several areas of their life, including mood and physical activity. The interview will be in one of the following formats: 1) in-depth cognitive interview, 2) focus group, or 3) face-to-face interview, as follows: In-Depth Cognitive Interview Participants take part in a one-time interview conducted by one investigator, observed by another, and tape recorded. The interview lasts from 1 to 2 hours. Focus Groups Participants take part in a group interview of from 6 to 10 people during a one-time tape-recorded session that lasts from 2 to 2-1/2 hours. The group discussion is led by a moderator and a facilitator, who takes notes and makes observations. Face-to Face Interview Participants are interviewed twice - first upon enrollment at the NIAMS Community Health Center and again after 6 months' follow-up at the Center.

To systematically collect and document use patterns, effectiveness and safety of DMARD treatments currently used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. The primary purpose of this study is to estimate the incidence of serious adverse experiences and adverse experiences of interest in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with ENBREL®.