NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Improving medication adherence in adolescents with lupus using personalized feedback

Official title: Direct-to-family pharmacokinetics intervention for hydroxychloroquine non-adherence in adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus

Funded at Duke University · NIH-10928505 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking to help teenagers with lupus take their medicine regularly by creating a digital tool that shows them how their medication works in their body, making it easier for them to understand why it's important to stick to their treatment plan.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$158,652
NIH project number1K23AR084424-01
Project IDNIH-10928505 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents diagnosed with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus who struggle with medication adherence.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not adolescents or those without a diagnosis of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on addressing the issue of medication non-adherence among adolescents with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE), particularly regarding the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). The study aims to develop a digital intervention that provides personalized feedback based on pharmacokinetic simulations, helping patients understand their medication levels and encouraging them to take their medication as prescribed. By identifying a specific concentration cutoff for HCQ, the research seeks to create a reliable method for detecting non-adherence in clinical settings. The intervention will be tested for feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a small group of adolescents, paving the way for larger trials in the future.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve medication adherence and health outcomes for adolescents with lupus.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using digital interventions to improve medication adherence, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

  • Duke University
    Durham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Randell, Rachel Leigh — Duke University
  • Study coordinator: Randell, Rachel Leigh

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Antiviral factors that limit HIV in people with SLE

    Researchers at Howard University are studying how immune factors in people with lupus may help limit HIV infection.

    NIH research Howard University · Washington, United States · NIH-11470887

  • Mechanistic clues about lupus from immune disorders

    This grant looks at why certain immune disorders in people with genetic immune problems lead to lupus-like symptoms, by studying patients and mouse models.

    NIH research Seattle Children's Hospital · Seattle, United States · NIH-11449228

  • Subjective thinking challenges in adults with lupus as they age

    This grant aims to understand how lupus-related cognitive problems affect adults, especially older adults, and tests a real-time method to track daily fluctuations in those symptoms.

    NIH research Hospital for Special Surgery · New York, UNITED STATES · NIH-11442899

  • Mitochondrial targets of antibodies in lupus (SLE)

    A Johns Hopkins-led study will identify which mitochondrial membrane proteins are targeted by autoantibodies in lupus patients to understand how these immune attacks fuel the disease.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11440181

  • Influenza, Hydroxychloroquine, and the Windows of Self-Peptide Presentation in Lupus

    A doctor-researcher is studying how flu infection and the lupus medication hydroxychloroquine change the way the immune system shows self-parts to trigger or prevent lupus flares in kids.

    NIH research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11438703

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.