TITRATE research trial-RA participants required

[Clare-NRAS]

NRAS are pleased to support this important trial

TITRATE Trial: To compare intensive management with standard care in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with intermediate disease activity.

Summary: The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funding a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to compare intensive management with standard care in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis showing intermediate disease activity (DAS 28-ESR 3.2-5.1). The trial takes place in different hospitals across England and is led by Professor David Scott at King’s College London and King’s College NHS Foundation Trust, London.

The trial has two arms to which patients are randomly allocated: (i) standard care and (ii) intensive management. The first aim of the study is to achieve disappearance of signs and symptoms of RA, e.g. pain, fatigue, mobility, measured by DAS28-ESR (less than 2.6) at 12 months. The secondary aims are to: (i) reduce disability, (ii) improve quality of life and (iii) show that intensive management is acceptable to patients. We will also find out the cost-effectiveness of such an approach compared with standard care.

Assessment: Patients will be screened first to see if they are eligible for the trial (based on certain criteria), and further assessments will take place at the beginning of the trial, at 6 and 12 months. These include completion of a variety of questionnaires, blood tests and x-rays of hands and feet.

Intensive Management Intervention will involve monthly reviews in the outpatient clinic where patients’ intensive treatment will be (i) reviewed and medication adjusted by a rheumatologist and (ii) supportive non-drug advice and guidance will be provided by nurses to meet each patient’s individual needs. This approach will include goal setting, skills teaching, e.g. management of pain, fatigue and physical activity, based on a specifically developed study manual. The nurses will have undergone a bespoke training to deliver this additional support.

Duration of treatment: 12 months.

Safety: Patients will be regularly monitored via blood tests.

If you need any further information about the TITRATE trial, or are interested in participating, please visit the TITRATE website (titrate.org.uk) for a full list of participating hospitals.

Alternatively, please contact the Trial Manager, Dr Naomi Martin, on 0207 848 5204 or [e-mail].

Please note that you will only be able to participate if the hospital where you are receiving your specialist treatment is involved in the trial.to see the list of participating hospitals visit the titrate website or

nras.org.uk/titrate-trial

[nomoreheels]

I would have jumped at the chance to be considered, but save for 3 (out of 18) participating hospitals/Trusts all are way south of where I live/attend. Seems the hospitals, if they were invited to partake, think RD doesn't affect anyone in the North West, or is it another case of the lead team think not much exists north of Watford?!

[babssara]

Not a single one in the North west. Manchester area. Do we know why? Can they not get Pennine Acute to participate? Feel as though being excluded! x

[Grumpy_Al in reply to babssara]

I'm on the titrate trial through Leighton Hospital I Crewe. I think there 4 of us on the trial so it's worth asking your RA tam at your hospital if you can participate.

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS in reply to babssara]

More units are being added all the time, I've just been in contact with the research lead. if you are interested in being part of this trial make contact with them and they can let you know if there is a unit near you participating. titrate.org.uk

[babssara in reply to Clare-NRAS]

Thanks Clare. I would be interested so will be in touch with the unit. Thanks for finding this information for me. x

[Jayne18]

Hi

I would have been interested to take part too, as yesterday my Mtx therapy has been stopped and I am awaiting my Cons go ahead for new therapy to commence - great timing wrong hospital 👎😞

Typically!

J x

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

This is fairly early on in the trial so more units may be added to those currently taking part. I would hazard a guess that it is down to resource and capacity to take on such a trial.If the rheumatology unit are not fully staffed it would make running the trial very difficult. I shall give your feedback to the research leads, or you can email them directly at [e-mail]

[nomoreheels in reply to Clare-NRAS]

Thanks for that Clare. The staffing issue may be the problem at my hospital as my Consultant's been on extended leave since the beginning of the year, though at least one locum has been taken on. I have an appointment next month so will question if it's a future possibility & see how the land lies before contacting.

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS in reply to nomoreheels]

Latest but not exhaustive list of participating hospitals see below

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

RNOH NHS Trust

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Ashford and St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

The Dudley Group Group NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

[nomoreheels in reply to Clare-NRAS]

My hospital's trust not included unfortunately. Thanks for your continued help though.

[digger1]

I wish that they would do trials like this in Scotland 😡