View clinical trials related to Rheumatic Diseases.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to determine wich treatment is the most effective in prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in patients with rheumatic diseases. The STOP-study: a randomized placebo controlled trial with alendronate versus alfacalcidol.
This study will explore the diverse health beliefs and behaviors among minority patients with rheumatic diseases. These diseases may cause joint pain, stiffness or swelling. Some can involve bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments. Some cause abnormalities of the immune system-the body's defense against disease. Some rheumatic diseases are painful or deforming and some can be life-threatening. Many rheumatic diseases occur more often and more severely in certain minority communities. This study will explore psychosocial and cultural factors related to rheumatic disease in minorities. Patients enrolled in the NIAMS protocol Natural History or Rheumatic Disease in Minority Communities (protocol #01-AR-0227) may participate in this study. Participants will be evaluated at the NIAMS Community Health Center at the Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington, D.C. Participants will be interviewed about individual and community health behavior, and health beliefs about rheumatic disease and its effects on several areas of their life, including mood and physical activity. The interview will be in one of the following formats: 1) in-depth cognitive interview, 2) focus group, or 3) face-to-face interview, as follows: In-Depth Cognitive Interview Participants take part in a one-time interview conducted by one investigator, observed by another, and tape recorded. The interview lasts from 1 to 2 hours. Focus Groups Participants take part in a group interview of from 6 to 10 people during a one-time tape-recorded session that lasts from 2 to 2-1/2 hours. The group discussion is led by a moderator and a facilitator, who takes notes and makes observations. Face-to Face Interview Participants are interviewed twice - first upon enrollment at the NIAMS Community Health Center and again after 6 months' follow-up at the Center.
The long-term objectives of this research project are to enhance program participation and improve the employment prospects of people with work disability due to arthritis and related musculoskeletal disorders (ARMD) who are actively seeking vocational (job-related) rehabilitation (VR) services. This study is designed to compare the employment situations of a group of people receiving a two-part intervention and a group that is not receiving the intervention. The intervention consists of training sessions to help prospective VR clients with ARMD successfully enter and complete the VR program, and training sessions for a randomly selected group of VR professionals to help them serve VR clients with ARMD more effectively.