Meerbusch

Researchers are evaluating the retention rates of two treatments, Upadacitinib (UPA) and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), in adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study is observational, conducted in Germany, and aims to compare how long patients stay on each treatment under real-world conditions according to local labels and standard care. About 678 participants will be enrolled across approximately 80 sites in Germany. Participants will have been prescribed UPA or TNFi independently of the study, following approved labels and local regulations. The study will observe participants receiving either UPA or TNFi therapy over a period of up to 24 months. Participants will be followed for up to 24 months to assess treatment retention. Researchers will monitor how long participants remain on their prescribed treatment and collect related clinical data. The total study duration, including recruitment and follow-up, is expected to last about 48 months.

Researchers are evaluating various approved injectable and oral disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) in Germany. This observational, non-interventional, multicenter, open-label study collects primary data prospectively over up to four years, alongside retrospective data. The study captures medical history, disease duration, laboratory values, disability scores (EDSS), MRI results, and relapse information to provide real-world insights into treatment use and outcomes. Patients receiving routine medical treatment with any approved injectable or selected oral DMTs—including ofatumumab, glatiramer acetate, interferon 21, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, and diroximel fumarate—are enrolled without treatment allocation by the study. Two cohorts are observed: one treated primarily with injectable DMTs and another with injectable or oral DMTs. The core study period lasts about two years, with an optional extension providing an additional two years of observation, totaling up to four years. Follow-up visits and monitoring happen at the investigator's discretion and may include telemedicine. During the study, participants provide data through questionnaires and electronic case report forms. Routine clinical care procedures, such as diagnostic tests and monitoring, continue as usual. Researchers measure the proportion of patients continuing their baseline treatment at 24 months and collect ongoing clinical and imaging data. The study emphasizes real-world treatment patterns, safety, and disease activity over the extended follow-up period.

Researchers are evaluating the clinical utility of serum neurofilament light (sNfL) as a prognostic marker for disease activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). This prospective, multicenter, observational, non-interventional study in Germany aims to understand how sNfL values can influence patient management and treatment decisions. The study focuses on patients treated with category 1 disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) who have incorporated sNfL testing into their care. Participants will either continue their current category 1 DMT, which includes therapies such as dimethylfumarate, glatiramer acetate, interferon beta, and teriflunomide, or switch to ofatumumab based on their physician’s clinical judgment. There is no treatment allocation by the study itself. Data collection will cover up to 24 months, and the frequency of visits and assessments will follow routine clinical practice without a fixed protocol. During the study, baseline and follow-up data will be gathered according to standard care recommendations, including clinical evaluations and sNfL measurements. Researchers will monitor the proportion of patients with high sNfL levels over time to assess disease activity. The observational period is flexible and guided by the treating physician, with no additional diagnostic or monitoring procedures beyond standard care. Participants will be followed for up to two years to better understand how sNfL influences treatment management in relapsing MS.

Researchers are evaluating the short-term and long-term safety and effectiveness of belimumab in adults diagnosed with early systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have positive autoantibodies and continue to have active disease despite stable initial treatment. This phase 4, prospective, open-label study aims to describe how belimumab works in this specific group over a three-year period. Participants will receive belimumab (GSK1550188) administered by subcutaneous injection. There is one treatment arm where all participants will receive this drug. The study lasts for three years, during which participants will be regularly monitored to assess disease activity and treatment safety. During the study, participants will undergo various assessments including clinical evaluations to measure disease activity, laboratory tests, and questionnaires to track health status. The main outcome is the percentage of participants who achieve Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) by week 52. Safety and efficacy will be closely monitored throughout the study period, with follow-up visits and evaluations scheduled at regular intervals.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an immune-related inflammatory disease mainly affecting the spine, causing chronic back pain and significantly impacting quality of life with symptoms like sleep problems, social isolation, and emotional distress. This research is evaluating the real-world effectiveness of the drug upadacitinib in controlling disease activity and managing pain in adults with active axSpA in Germany. Participants will receive oral upadacitinib tablets as prescribed by their doctors before joining the study, following local guidelines on dosage and treatment. The study will last about 52 weeks, during which participants will continue their prescribed treatment and attend regular medical visits as part of routine care. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor disease activity and treatment effects using medical assessments, side effect checks, and questionnaires. The main focus is on how many participants achieve and maintain low disease activity scores over 24 and 52 weeks, assessing both clinical and patient-reported outcomes related to pain and disease burden.

This research aims to assess how satisfied people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are after receiving subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of ocrelizumab over a period of 12 months. The study focuses on participants diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RMS) or primary progressive MS (PPMS) according to 2017 McDonald criteria, who are starting ocrelizumab treatment for the first time. The main goal is to understand participant satisfaction using a special questionnaire designed for subcutaneous therapy administration. Participants will receive ocrelizumab as an injection under the skin, with the exact dosing and schedule determined by their treating physician following local medical guidelines. This observational study does not change standard care but monitors patients throughout their treatment with ocrelizumab. During the study, participants will complete the Therapy Administration Satisfaction Questionnaire for subcutaneous treatment after 12 months to measure their satisfaction. Researchers will also observe and record any relevant clinical information. The total study duration for each participant is 12 months, during which their experience and outcomes with ocrelizumab are carefully tracked.