Finding the best dosage of biologic treatments for obese patients with arthritis

Optimal Dosing for Biologic Agents in Obese Patients with Rheumatoid and Juvenile Arthritis

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10896030

This study is looking at how being overweight might change how well certain arthritis treatments work for people with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, so we can find the best way to help everyone feel better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10896030 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how obesity affects the effectiveness of biologic agents used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It aims to understand whether the poor response to these treatments in obese patients is due to changes in how the body processes the drugs or the inflammation caused by the disease. The study will involve observing patients to gather data on disease activity and inflammation markers, and it will utilize pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling to determine optimal dosing strategies. This approach will help ensure that patients receive the most effective treatment tailored to their needs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include obese patients aged 0-11 years and 21 years and older who are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not obese or do not have rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment outcomes for obese patients suffering from rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown that optimizing drug dosing based on patient characteristics can lead to better treatment outcomes, suggesting that this approach may also be effective in this context.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.