Extrait

Background and study aims Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in some people who have the skin condition psoriasis. Affected joints become inflamed (swollen), stiff and painful. Drug treatments have been found to be effective but are expensive and may have serious side effects. Patients often ask to have drug treatments withdrawn or scaled down once their disease is stable. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of withdrawing versus continuing treatment in psoriatic arthritis patients. Who can participate? Patients with psoriatic arthritis presenting to rheumatology outpatient departments in Leeds, Bradford and York, who are in a stable low disease activity state. What does the study involve? Participants are randomly allocated to either withdraw treatment over 3 months or to continue treatment. Participants are reviewed in the clinic every 4 weeks to manage their treatment changes and monitor their response. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Participants in the withdrawal group will benefit from a controlled reduction in their current medication with the possibility of being drug-free at the end of the study. If their disease gets worse, the last removed medication will be re-introduced in a step-wise manner, with use of steroids if required. Participants in both groups will benefit from a 4-month intensive review of their disease. Where is the study run from? University of Leeds (UK). When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? September 2012 to August 2013. Who is funding the study? Arthritis Research UK. Who is the main contact? Robin Waxman [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Psoriatic Arthritis

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn