NOR-DMARD
The Norwegian register for antirheumatic drugs.
Project manager
Postdoc
PhD fellow
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The treatment we offer patients with inflammatory joint diseases is based on large randomized trials comparing one type of treatment with another. However, these trials do not give us the full picture of how patients are doing, and cannot answer all the questions we have about how to implement treatment and follow-up. Observational studies can describe the course of the disease in patients as it is when they are followed in regular hospital follow-up, and can answer questions that are not suitable for large clinical trials.
NOR-DMARD is an observational study of patients with inflammatory joint diseases who are treated with biological drugs in routine clinical practice. The study has been ongoing since 2000 and is now following patients in Oslo, Lillehammer, Tromsø, Førde and Stavanger. One of the strengths of NOR-DMARD is that patients are scheduled for regular check-ups according to a set schedule, so that all patients will initially have the same control regimen.
The study has undergone two phases. From 2000 to 2012, both patients with synthetic DMARDs (such as methotrexate) and biological drugs were included, while from 2012 only patients on biological treatment (possibly together with methotrexate or other synthetic DMARDs) have been included. From 2012, we have collected blood samples at some centers in addition to clinical data. We have also recently linked NOR-DMARD to several registries.
WHO CAN JOIN?
All patients who start treatment with current medications for inflammatory joint disease at the rheumatology department at Diakonhjemmet, Tromsø, Lillehammer, Førde or Stavanger.
Patients are recruited as part of clinical practice.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
Patients are followed in a fixed control program with checks at the start of treatment and then after 3, 6 and 12 months before moving on to annual check-ups. During the check-ups, they answer several questionnaires, are examined by a doctor or nurse and have blood tests.