HERO:Hydroxychloroquine Effectiveness in Reducing Symptoms of hand OA

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  HERO:Hydroxychloroquine Effectiveness in Reducing Symptoms of hand OA, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

• IRAS ID

  57329

• Contact name

  Philip Conaghan

• Eudract number

  2011-004300-38

• ISRCTN Number

  n/a

• Research summary

  Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and is an increasingly common problem in our aging society. In the UK an estimated 8.5 million people are affected by OA, causing an enormous burden to health authorities, as well as considerable pain and disability to these individuals. A recent study by Arthritis Care reported that 81% of people with OA experience constant pain and 72% have important related conditions, such as hypertension or depression. Hand OA is generally considered to be less important and less disabling than knee or hip OA, however 8% of the UK population are estimated to be effected by painful hand OA, with a large proportion reporting significant difficulties with common day-to-day tasks, leading to reduced capacity to work and impacting on both quality of life and general health. However, despite the prevalence of hand OA, there are still limited treatment options. Hydroxychloroquine is commonly used to treat inflammatory arthritis, such as RA, to great effect. Recent studies suggest that inflammation is also important in OA, and that by reducing inflammation pain will also be reduced. We believe that hydroxychloroquine may be an effective treatment for reducing inflammation in hand OA and that this reduction in inflammation will lead to a reduction in pain.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  12/YH/0151

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 May 2012

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion