Understanding Near-term Care Of Very Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (UNCOVER)

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: health, health care, health care evaluation

Principal Investigator: Sholter, Dalton E (1)
Licence Number: 14069
Organization: Dr. Dalton E. Sholter, Rheumatology Clinic
Licensed Year(s): 2006
Issued: Aug 29, 2006
Project Team: Ruben Tavares (Multi-Centre Study Leader, Toronto General Research Institute)

Project Description: The Canadian Rheumatology Association published guidelines based on scientific evidence indicating that patients medicated within three months of symptom onset have better outcomes. No studies have been conducted to determine whether targets are being met. This is a Canada-wide, multi-centre, quality assurance audit of rheumatologists' practices. Approximately 20 subjects from each of 20 rheumatology practices will be included in the study. Charts of patients meeting criteria will be reviewed, and data recorded into case review forms. Data will include information from the time of referral to the time of the chart audit. Data of interest includes: time from symptom onset to referral; time from referral to diagnosis; time from diagnosis to start of treatment; proportion of mono- vs. combination-therapy at the start of treatment; and types of assessment tools used. For first, second and third line therapies, the proportion o... Show moref therapies used, the proportion of switching medication, the mean time on each therapy, the average number of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs used, mean time from diagnosis to start of biologic therapy, and the reason for stopping therapies. Data on functional status, disease activity, and pain assessment used will also be captured. The study is designed to resolve lag-time from symptom onset to diagnosis compared to the mean-time to irreversible joint damage. The NWT portion of the study will be carried out at the Dr. Dalton E. Sholter, Rheumatology Clinic in Yellowknife. No patient contact is planned for this study. Limited patient information will be disclosed in this study (patient initials and date of birth). No patient identifying information will be disclosed. Each participant rheumatologist will receive a sub-analysis of their own practice results, which may be compared to the overall study results. The study will be conducted from August 29 to December 31, 2006 in the City of Yellowknife. Show less