Active clinical trials for "Arthritis"

The purpose of this study is to conduct an economic analysis on the cost of conventional therapy as compared to biologic therapy and the direct/indirect costs of disease management in patients with refractory psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Primary outcomes are to qualify the economic burden of refractory PsA care. The secondary outcomes are to assess efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of different therapies.

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®.

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed towards Tumor Necrosis Factor -alpha that is largely used in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A relationship between dose and clinical outcomes was shown in populations of RA patients but there is an interindividual variability of this relationship. At an individual level, this dose-effet relationship can be separated into the dose-concentration (pharmacokinetic or PK) and the concentration-effet (pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic or PK-PD) relationships. Serum trough concentrations of infliximab have been shown to be variable between patients receiving the same treatment regimen. This PK variability may be explained by several factors (e.g. genetic and immunological factors). The concentration-effect relationship may also be variable and the sources of this variability need to be studied as well. To date no detailed infliximab PK analysis has been published. The sources of variability of the dose-effect relationship need to be characterized to optimize infliximab dosing regimen in patients. The FAKIR study is a multicenter prospective observational study that will focus on patients treated with infliximab. Its aims are: to characterize the PK and PK-PD variability of infliximab in RA, using clinical criteria and biomarkers, assessed over time ; to study the influence of the polymorphism of FCGRT (the gene encoding FcRn) on the PK variability of infliximab; to study the influence of the polymorphism of FCGR3A (the gene encoding Fc gamma RIIIa) on the PK-PD variability of infliximab; and to study the influence of antibodies toward infliximab on the PK and PK-PD variabilities of infliximab.

Inflammatory arthritis (IA) is a major cause of long-term disability. Due to specialist shortages, failure of primary care providers and individuals to recognize the disease, and lack of awareness of the importance of early intervention, delays to rheumatologic care are common. Peer support models have been used for various health issues and may be one method to assist individuals with early IA to manage their disease and cope with stress. Qualitative research methods (one-on-one interviews) will seek out feedback on a peer support approach and explore the learning needs (informational needs, educational preferences) and opinions about emotional and appraisal support of individuals living with IA, from the perspectives of health care providers. The data will be analyzed and expressed themes (articulated needs and understandings of interviewee context) will guide the future development of a peer support intervention

Inflammatory arthritis (IA) is a major cause of long-term disability. Due to specialist shortages, failure of primary care providers and individuals to recognize the disease, and lack of awareness of the importance of early intervention, delays to rheumatologic care are common. Peer support models have been used for various health issues and may be one method to assist individuals with early IA to manage their disease and cope with stress. Qualitative research methods (one-on-one interviews) will seek out feedback on a peer support approach and explore the learning needs (informational needs, educational preferences) and opinions about emotional and appraisal support of individuals living with IA, from the perspectives of patients. The data will be analyzed and expressed themes (articulated needs and understandings of interviewee context) will guide the future development of a peer support intervention.

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate safety, application and onset of effect of rituximab in clinical routine treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis during the first 6 months (in case of re-therapy: 12 months).

Observation of safety, tolerability and effectiveness of adalimumab (Humira) therapy in a large patient collective under everyday clinical conditions over 2 years.