Recurrent Infections in Musculoskeletal rhEumatic Diseases (RIMED)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patterns, Predictors and Outcomes of Recurrent Infections in Musculoskeletal Rheumatic Diseases
IRAS ID
220970
Contact name
James Galloway
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
17/NE/0213 , North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) including rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk of infection. The causes are multifactorial and related to inherent immune system dysfunction, disease activity and exposure to potent therapies that suppress the immune system including biologic drugs and corticosteroids. Infections are a major cause or morbidity and mortality in patients with AIRD.
The aim of this study is to investigate the patterns of serious infection in patients with AIRD from a single tertiary rheumatology centre (King’s College Hospital, KCH) and consider predictors of infection and assess the outcomes in terms of loss of disease control and impact upon treatment decisions.
Admissions to KCH for adult patients (aged >18) with a confirmed diagnosis AIRD will be reviewed between (2011 and 2016). These data are available from the KCH Business Information Unit (BIU) who collate statistical data about hospital clinical activity for submission to Hospital episode statistics (HES). Unique patient hospital numbers of admitted patients will be matched with the rheumatology departmental database (which is linked to the KCH electronic patient record, (EPR)). The database holds information pertaining to patient drug exposures, disease activity scores, significant co-morbid conditions and smoking status. Analysis of the EPR discharge summaries pertaining to each admission will be undertaken to validate data regarding hospitalised infection (as confirmed by ICD-10 coding). Statistical analyses will be performed to establish serious infection rates in patients with AIRD and to identify patterns and predictors of infection.
The study will help to better inform both patients and clinicians on the best ways to mitigate against the significant risk of infection and consider strategies to prevent admission with hospitalised infection.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0314
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion