Self-management intervention for newly diagnosed inflammatory arthritis patients

Effect of a Self-Management Intervention for Patients Newly Diagnosed With Inflammatory Arthritis: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled NISMA Trial

Not applicable Interventional Glostrup University Hospital, Copenhagen · NCT06533423

This study tests a new self-management program for people recently diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis to see if it helps them feel better and manage their condition more effectively compared to regular care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment130 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 120 Years
SexAll
SponsorGlostrup University Hospital, Copenhagen Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Glostrup Municipality and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06533423 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the efficacy of a self-management intervention called NISMA for patients newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis. The study involves a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled trial with 130 participants from three Danish hospitals, comparing the NISMA intervention to usual care alone. The intervention includes three mandatory sessions with a nurse and aims to enhance self-management skills, improve patient function, well-being, and overall health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have been newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or axial spondyloarthritis.

Not a fit: Patients who do not speak Danish sufficiently to engage in the intervention discussions or those undergoing chemotherapy for malignancies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could empower patients with better self-management skills, leading to improved quality of life and health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in self-management interventions for chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach, although the specific NISMA intervention is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients will be included if they are adults aged 18 years or older with one of the following conditions:

* Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with ICD-10 codes: M05.3, M05.9, M05.8, M06.9 diagnosed within the last 6 months
* Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) with ICD-10 codes: M073.A, M073.B diagnosed within the last 6 months
* Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) with ICD-10 codes: M45.9, M46.1, M46.8, M46.9, diagnosed within the last 12 months, and has initiated biological treatment

Patients with axSpA will have unique inclusion criteria due to NSAIDs being the first-line pharmacological treatment. For those effectively treated with NSAIDs and exercise, treatment is transitioned to their general practitioner. Therefore, only those who have initiated biological treatment will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they:

* have insufficient language skills to discuss the topics in the intervention in Danish
* are receiving chemo-therapy treatment for malignancies
* are pregnant
* have severe mental illness.

Where this trial is running

Glostrup Municipality and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Inflammatory Arthritisself-managementrheumatoid arthritisaxial spondyloarthritispsoriatic arthritisnewly diagnosedheiQquality of life
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.