Blood Pressure Intervention for Rheumatoid Arthritis
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to assist individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who also face challenges with high blood pressure (hypertension). Researchers seek to identify factors that make blood pressure management difficult for these patients, as uncontrolled hypertension raises the risk of heart problems. Participants will use a home blood pressure monitor and report their results every two weeks. This trial suits those with both RA and uncontrolled hypertension who receive care from Duke Health System. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to enhance understanding and improve hypertension management in RA patients.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on improving hypertension care for Black patients with rheumatoid arthritis, so it's best to discuss your medications with the trial team.
What prior data suggests that this blood pressure intervention is safe for rheumatoid arthritis patients?
Research shows that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often struggle to manage high blood pressure. Common heart disease risk factors, like high blood pressure, frequently appear and remain poorly controlled in those with RA. Studies indicate that blood pressure can vary significantly from one doctor visit to the next for these patients. However, regular home monitoring and management of blood pressure lead to clear improvements.
This trial aims to help RA patients control their blood pressure by providing home monitors and instructions for use. Participants will track their blood pressure and share this information with the study team. This method has proven effective in managing blood pressure, leading to better health outcomes.
Overall, evidence suggests that using home blood pressure monitors with proper guidance is safe and helps RA patients manage their blood pressure more effectively. Research has not reported any serious problems from using these home monitoring devices.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how managing blood pressure at home might impact rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. Unlike typical treatments for RA that focus on reducing inflammation directly, this approach looks at how controlling hypertension could play a role in overall disease management. The trial emphasizes patient empowerment by teaching participants to monitor their blood pressure at home and understand their readings, potentially leading to better RA management and quality of life. This innovative angle could reveal new insights into the connection between hypertension and RA, offering a fresh perspective on managing chronic conditions.
What evidence suggests that this blood pressure intervention is effective for rheumatoid arthritis?
Research has shown that managing blood pressure can improve the health of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is crucial because individuals with RA often experience higher blood pressure, particularly at night. In this trial, participants in the blood pressure intervention arm will use home blood pressure monitors and receive education to help them track and control their blood pressure more effectively. Studies have found that such interventions can reduce the risk of heart disease, which is common in these individuals. Overall, controlling blood pressure is a smart strategy to enhance health for people with RA.35678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for Black or African American adults over 18 with uncontrolled high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis, who are receiving care from the Duke Health System. It's not open to those under 18, other races, people without RA and hypertension, pregnant women, prisoners, or anyone unable to consent due to cognitive impairment.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention Development
Interviews with Black RA patients, rheumatology providers, and primary care providers to describe barriers to HTN care and develop an intervention
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Participants use a home blood pressure monitor and record values at least three times per week for 3 months
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Blood pressure intervention arm
Trial Overview
The study aims to reduce hypertension disparities in Black patients with rheumatoid arthritis by developing an intervention focused on patient empowerment in HTN care, enhancing communication between patients and providers, and better coordination of primary and rheumatology care.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
The investigators will recruit 25 RA patients with HTN for the study. Participants will be provided with a home blood pressure monitor, teaching from nursing staff regarding the correct use of the monitor, and a guide to help interpret normal and elevated blood pressure values. Participants will be instructed to obtain and record blood pressure values at least three times per week over the course of 3 months. Every 2 weeks, these results will be sent to the study team, and participants will complete a brief survey regarding other factors that may influence blood pressure control, including RA disease activity (RAPID3 score), pain, current use of acute RA therapies, anti-hypertensive medication use, anti-hypertensive medication adherence, and current perceived barriers to HTN self-management.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Duke University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Collaborator
Citations
Initiation of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Rheumatoid ...
Blood pressure may improve with treatment of RA, particularly with methotrexate or hydroxychloroquine. Leflunomide use, in contrast, is associated with ...
Improving Hypertension Control in Rheumatoid Arthritis
This pilot intervention will help achieve these goals by providing participants with home blood pressure monitors and teaching, improving patient-provider ...
Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ambulatory ...
The authors concluded that despite similar office measurements, 24-hour and nocturnal systolic BP measurements were higher in patients with RA ...
Blood pressure changes in patients with recent-onset ...
To evaluate the effect of disease activity and antirheumatic treatment on blood pressure (BP) in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Blood Pressure Intervention for Rheumatoid Arthritis
While specific data on the effectiveness of the blood pressure intervention treatment is not provided, controlling blood pressure is generally beneficial in ...
Risk factors for prevalent and incident hypertension in ...
Early RA patients had a high incidence of hypertension with the highest risk in older patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Long-term blood pressure variability in patients with ...
Patients with RA had higher visit-to-visit systolic BP variability vs non-RA subjects. There was a significant decline in systolic BP variability after RA ...
Association of cardiovascular risks in rheumatoid arthritis ...
In a meta-analysis of 111,758 patients with 22,927 cardiovascular events, RA patients had a 50% higher risk of CVD death than the general population [51]. CVD ...
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