Actively Recruiting
The RheumSafer Study: Improving Medication Appropriateness in People With Rheumatic Conditions
Led by McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Updated on 2026-05-01
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Lead Sponsor
T
The Arthritis Society, Canada
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether a tool called MedSafer, combined with educational brochures for patients, can help reduce the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in adults aged 60 and over who have rheumatic diseases and take five or more regular medications. This study is a prospective observational quality improvement trial conducted at a rheumatology clinic to compare medication use before and after introducing these interventions. The intervention includes personalized MedSafer reports generated for physicians, which highlight deprescribing opportunities categorized by risk level, along with specific tapering instructions. Patients receive educational materials including a deprescribing fact sheet and, if applicable, bilingual EMPOWER brochures for certain medications. Participants are followed through control and intervention periods of approximately ten months each, receiving usual care first, then the intervention while continuing their routine rheumatology visits. Participants complete four study visits over 18 to 20 months, including two in-person and two virtual visits. Researchers collect data on medication changes, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire at each visit. The study measures the rate of PIM deprescribing, changes in medication count, quality of life, and serious adverse events during both periods. The involvement includes reviewing medical records and ensuring follow-up to assess the impact of the interventions on medication management.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The RheumSafer Study: Improving Medication Appropriateness in People With Rheumatic Conditions
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 60 or older
- Followed by a rheumatologist for inflammatory arthritis, systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease, or another chronic musculoskeletal or rheumatic condition
- Taking five or more regular medications and at least one potentially inappropriate medication (PIM)
- Expected to have ongoing rheumatology follow-up every 3 to 9 months
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Acute life-threatening illness or life expectancy less than 12 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) during routine clinical visits for eligibility screening and recruitment
Duration - Approximately 10 months
Participants undergo usual care without access to deprescribing reports. Medication use and health outcomes are monitored.
2 in-person or virtual visits: Visit 1 (enrollment and baseline data collection) and Visit 2 (follow-up approximately 4 months later)
Duration - Approximately 10 months
Participants receive physician-facing deprescribing opportunity reports and patient educational brochures to improve medication appropriateness.
2 visits: 1 in-person visit (Visit 3) to receive the intervention and 1 virtual or in-person follow-up visit (Visit 4) approximately 4 months later
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G1A4
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Arielle Mendel, MD MSc
J
Jeannette Bere, BSc, LPN
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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