CompletedNot Applicable

Application of EULAR Recommendations for Cardiovascular Risk Management in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

France7,000 participantsStarted 2012-06

Plain-language summary

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 2010, EULAR Standing Committee for Clinical Affairs provides 10 recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including a cardiovascular risk assessment annually. The goal of this study is to evaluate the application of EULAR recommendations in real life in patients with RA in the french population. Inclusion criteria: all patients over 18 years old with rheumatoid arthritis treated with at least one DMARDS and/or biologic therapy, affiliated to the RSI (regime social des independents which correspond to other branches of the universal healthcare insurance agency). Non inclusion criteria: patients declared as rheumatoid arthritis without DMARDS or biologic therapy or treated with steroids alone. The following analysis will be performed on the whole database of the RSI, without name identification. Evaluation criteria: at least once a years the prescription of at least one of the following items use in the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk factors: lipides dosage, glycemia, HbA1C, stress test, Carotid ultra-sonography, coronary or lower limbs arteriography, heart ultra-sonography, cardiology clinic, endocrinology clinic. This evaluation will be done on the whole national population of RSI for the year 2011 (01/01/2011 - 31/12/2011). On a subgroup of patients from the region "Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur", the investigators will analyze the year 2009, and compare to year 2011, to evaluate the impact of theses recommendations.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients over 18 years, affiliated to RSI, with rheumatoid arthritis treated with at least one DMARDS and/or biologic therapy Exclusion Criteria: * patients under 18 years * Patients declared as rheumatoid arthritis without DMARDS or biologic therapy or treated with steroids alone

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial was specifically about applying EULAR cardiovascular risk guidelines to people with rheumatoid arthritis — does my current care plan already follow these kinds of cardiovascular risk assessment recommendations, and if not, should it?
2Since this trial has been completed, have the findings changed how doctors are supposed to screen or manage heart disease risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and would those findings affect how you monitor me?
3Rheumatoid arthritis itself can raise cardiovascular risk — what specific heart-related risk factors, like blood pressure, cholesterol, or inflammation markers, should we be tracking more closely in my case?
4This study was not testing a new drug but rather how well existing cardiovascular guidelines are being put into practice — does that mean there are known gaps in how RA patients like me are typically monitored for heart risk, and could I be falling through one of those gaps?
5Given that this trial is now complete, is there a follow-up study or updated clinical guideline I should know about that my care team is already using to guide my cardiovascular check-ups?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

the following items use in the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk factors

Timeframe: at time = 2 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01566851

SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2012-11

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cardiovascular Check-up in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis trials