Reducing unnecessary medications in older adults with rheumatic conditions
Official title: The RheumSafer Study: Improving Medication Appropriateness in People With Rheumatic Conditions
Run by McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · NCT07278609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether giving doctors individualized MedSafer reports plus patient EMPOWER brochures helps people 60+ with rheumatic conditions who take five or more regular medications stop or reduce risky medicines.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Montreal, Quebec) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 29, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | May 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07278609 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 60 or older followed in the MUHC rheumatology clinic for a rheumatic or musculoskeletal condition who take five or more regular medications and have at least one potentially inappropriate medication.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with life expectancy under 12 months, those unable to consent, or those not taking five or more regular medications (or without any PIMs) are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective before-and-after quality improvement study will enroll adults aged 60 and older with rheumatic conditions and polypharmacy at the Montreal General Hospital rheumatology clinic. Each participant will act as their own control as researchers compare rates of deprescribing before and after introducing provider-facing MedSafer reports and patient-facing EMPOWER brochures. Participants will attend four visits over 18–20 months while investigators record medication changes, serious adverse events (emergency visits or hospitalizations), and quality of life. The intervention gives clinicians individualized deprescribing opportunities categorized by risk and provides patients with educational materials and tapering guidance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce potentially inappropriate medications, lower drug-related harms, and improve medication safety and quality of life for older adults with rheumatic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior deprescribing interventions and patient EMPOWER materials have shown benefit in older adults in other clinical settings, but combining MedSafer reports with EMPOWER brochures specifically in rheumatology is less well studied.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged ≥60 * Followed by a rheumatologist at MUHC for an inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis), a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory myositis, systemic sclerosis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Sjogren syndrome, systemic vasculitis), or another chronic musculoskeletal or rheumatic condition (such as crystal arthritis and osteoarthritis) * Currently taking ≥5 regular medications and ≥1 PIM * Anticipated ongoing clinical follow-up in rheumatology at an interval of every 3-9 months Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide informed consent * Acute life-threatening illness or life expectancy \<12 months
Where it's running
-
Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Arielle Mendel, MD MSc — Ri-Muhc/muhc
- Study coordinator: Arielle Mendel, MD MSc
- Email: arielle.mendel@mcgill.ca
- Phone: 5149341934
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Personalized lab test to predict the best treatment for rheumatic diseases
This project tests a lab-based cell assay to see if it can predict which DMARD will work best for adults with autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as RA, PsA, axSpA, and GCA.
-
Proton MRI of Musculoskeletal and Lung Health
This study tests MRI techniques to take clearer pictures of the lungs in healthy people and those with lung, muscle, or bone conditions.
-
Combined e-Learning and Virtual Reality Training to Improve Rheumatology Provider Communication
This trial tests whether a combined online course and VR training helps rheumatology providers communicate better with patients and whether patients rate their communication more highly after training.
-
Pain patterns in rheumatic diseases: see if pain works differently in patients and healthy people
This observational study tests how pain is experienced and measured in people with rheumatic diseases compared with healthy volunteers.
-
Screening for lipid disorders in children and teens with chronic diseases to flag cardiovascular risk
This study tests a blood test and a questionnaire to screen children and teens with chronic conditions for lipid metabolism disorders and familial hyperlipidemia.
-
Anti-inflammatory diet for people with lupus
This study tests whether an anti-inflammatory diet can affect symptoms and biological markers in people with systemic lupus erythematosus who are already taking Cellcept or Mycophenolate.
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.