Anticholinergic medicine burden and fracture risk in people with rheumatoid arthritis
Anticholinergic Drug Use in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Effects on Fracture Risk
This project will test whether people with rheumatoid arthritis who take medicines with anticholinergic effects have a higher risk of weakened bones and fractures.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Balikesir University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Balıkesir) |
| Trial ID | NCT06812481 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective cohort study enrolling 100 outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis at Balıkesir University between 2024–2025. Investigators will record current medications, recent DEXA bone density results, routine blood tests, and calculate anticholinergic burden using common scales (ACB, Anticholinergic Drug Scale, Anticholinergic Risk Scale). The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) will be used to estimate fracture risk and its relationship to anticholinergic load will be analyzed. Findings will compare bone density and FRAX-estimated fracture risk across levels of anticholinergic burden.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis by the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria who attend the outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic and can provide recent DEXA and medication records are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with systemic diseases or treatments that affect bone metabolism or those with metal implants in the hip or lumbar spine that prevent accurate DEXA measurement are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians identify medication combinations that raise fracture risk and guide safer prescribing for people with RA.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work has linked higher anticholinergic burden to increased falls and fractures in older adults, but its specific impact in rheumatoid arthritis populations is less well characterized.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis Exclusion Criteria: * Kemik metabolizmasını etkileyen sistemik hastalıkları veya ilaçları kullanan hastalar, * Kemik mineral yoğunluk ölçümünü etkileyen kalça veya lomber vertebralarda metalik materyalleri olan hastalar
Where this trial is running
Balıkesir
- Balikesir University Health Practice and Research Hospital — Balıkesir, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Bilal UYSAL, assistant prof. — Balikesir University
- Study coordinator: Bilal UYSAL, assistant professor
- Email: bilaluysal@gmail.com
- Phone: 2666121010
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.