Adding a family doctor to rheumatology care for people with rheumatoid arthritis
Official title: Comorbidity Management in Rheumatic Disease: Assessing a Potential Care Gap in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Run by Western University, Canada · NCT06579222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether adding a family doctor to the rheumatology care team helps improve vaccinations, heart checks, and bone health for adults with rheumatoid arthritis at a Waterloo clinic.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 199 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Western University, Canada Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Waterloo, Ontario) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 19, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 19, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | October 7, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06579222 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–80 with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis who are patients of the Waterloo Rheumatology Community Clinic and can communicate in English without significant cognitive impairment.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are pregnant, outside the 18–80 age range, have significant cognitive impairment, are unwilling to participate, or already receive comprehensive comorbidity management from a primary care provider may not receive additional benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis who attend the Waterloo Rheumatology Community Clinic will have their rheumatologist complete a case report form about comorbid risks and be referred to a dedicated family physician clinic. The family physician clinic will focus on checking vaccination needs, measuring blood pressure and ordering relevant blood tests for cardiovascular risk, and screening or ordering tests related to bone strength. The intervention aims to close gaps in preventive care that rheumatologists may not have the resources to manage alone. Outcomes will include uptake of recommended vaccines, identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors, and measures related to bone health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could increase vaccination rates and better identify and treat heart and bone health risks, reducing complications for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Similar integrated-care approaches in chronic disease and some rheumatology settings have shown improvements in vaccination uptake and cardiovascular risk management, though dedicated trials specifically in rheumatoid arthritis are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients of the Waterloo Rheumatology Community Clinic * Aged 18 to 80 years of age * Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis * Minimum of limited working proficiency in English * No significant cognitive impairment that can inhibit their ability to engage in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Age less than 18 years or greater than 80 years * Significant cognitive impairment that impedes ability to engage in the study * Unwilling to participate in the study * Patients currently pregnant will be excluded from the study
Where it's running
-
Waterloo Rheumatology
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Cassandra Schulz — Western University
- Study coordinator: Cassandra Schulz, MD
- Email: wrheumatologystudy@gmail.com
- Phone: (519) 279-4047
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.