Adverse events from DMARD use for Inflammatory Arthritis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative exploration of patient perceived safety concerns regarding DMARD use for Inflammatory Arthritis
IRAS ID
264548
Contact name
Caroline Flurey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
This research will use qualitative methods to explore patient experiences of using disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of their arthritis. At present the traditional ways in which the safety of new and existing drugs is reported has not previously considered the patient perspective. Therefore, there is not enough information to help clinicians make decisions around ‘adverse events’ or ‘side effects’ that may result from the use of DMARDs. We will gather patient concerns by holding focus groups, which will then be analysed thematically in order to reach key conclusions. This research will have direct relevance in helping the development of a systematic, patient-centred approach to complement existing adverse event data collection methods.
Patients with inflammatory arthritis will be selected to represent a range of characteristics that reflect different experiences, including age, sex, education, type of disease, disease duration, disability, and current/previous DMARD use. Focus groups will contain 6-8 participants and will be facilitated by a junior qualitative researcher, with support from a senior academic. The focus groups will follow a schedule already developed by a steering group; the questions are designed to be neutral and non-directive to allow the focus to be on patient experiences and opinion.REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0316
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion