LUPUS-BEST - Treat-to-target in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This study, called LUPUS-BEST, is looking at a new way to manage Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), often just called lupus. It's testing a strategy called "treat-to-target," where doctors work closely with patients to reach remission (a state where lupus symptoms are minimal) and then maintain it. They do this by seeing patients frequently, every six weeks, and adjusting medicines as needed. The study compares this intense approach with the usual way doctors treat lupus. Researchers want to see if this new method helps reduce lupus-related damage and improves how people feel and their quality of life over two years. It's a big study happening in 14 centres, involving over 600 patients in Germany.
En un coup d'œil
De quoi parle cette étude ?
If you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), you might be interested in a new study called LUPUS-BEST. This study is exploring a different approach to managing lupus called "treat-to-target" (T2T). Think of it like setting a clear goal for your lupus treatment, which is to reach a state of remission. Remission means your lupus symptoms are very mild or non-existent, and you're possibly on a low dose of steroids. The idea is to work closely with your doctor to get you to this goal and then keep you there.
Currently, doctors usually adjust treatment based on how you're feeling and how active your lupus is during your regular appointments, which can be every few months. This study wants to see if a more focused and regular approach, where doctors check in with you more often (every six weeks) and adjust treatments more quickly, leads to better outcomes. They want to find out if this focused approach can help prevent damage caused by lupus and improve your overall quality of life.
This is a large study involving 14 different hospitals or clinics (called centres) in Germany. Some centres will use the new "treat-to-target" method, and others will continue with standard care. This allows researchers to compare the two approaches fairly and see if the new strategy is truly more effective for people living with lupus.
Points clés
- Tests a new approach for lupus called 'treat-to-target'.
- Aims to achieve and maintain lupus remission more quickly.
- Compares frequent doctor visits with standard care.
- Could help reduce lupus damage and improve quality of life.
- Study lasts for two years and includes over 600 patients.
Qui peut être éligible ?
To be part of this study, you need to be an adult, at least 18 years old, and have a confirmed diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) based on specific medical criteria. Importantly, you would need to be in a stage where your lupus is *not* in remission yet. This means you might still have active lupus symptoms, or your doctor might have you on more than 5mg of prednisolone daily, or they might feel your lupus isn't fully under control.
There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you're already taking part in another medical study, or if your doctor believes that being in this study wouldn't be safe for you or would make it hard to understand the results. This could include having a very sudden and severe flare-up of lupus that needs intensive care, or other serious health conditions like active cancer or certain infections that make it risky to change your immune-suppressing medicines.
Cet étude pourrait-elle vous convenir ?
Répondez à ces questions rapides pour voir si vous êtes éligible. Ceci est un guide uniquement — l'équipe de recherche prend la décision finale.
- Do I have a confirmed diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?
- Ai-je 18 ans ou plus ?
- Is my lupus currently not in remission (e.g., active symptoms, on >5mg prednisolone)?
- Am I able to understand and speak German fluently? (This study is conducted in Germany.)
- Am I currently not part of another medical treatment study?
En quoi consiste la participation ?
If you join the study, you'll be part of it for two years (120 weeks). If your centre is using the new "treat-to-target" method and your lupus isn't in remission, you'll have more frequent visits. Initially, you'd come in every six weeks. During these visits, your doctors would check your lupus activity and, working with you, adjust your treatments to try and get your lupus into remission. Once you reach remission and stay there, your visits would be every 12 weeks. If your lupus flares up again, you might go back to the more frequent visits to get it under control. If your centre provides standard care, your visits would happen every 3 to 6 months, and your doctor would adjust your treatment as they usually do. The study will track how your lupus affects your health over time and your overall quality of life.
Risques et avantages potentiels
Emplacements (14)
- University Clinic FreiburgCode postal vérifiéFreiburg im Breisgau, Germany· Recrutement
- University Clinic HeidelbergCode postal vérifiéHeidelberg, Allemagne· Recrutement
- University Clinic ErlangenCode postal vérifiéErlangen, Germany· Pas encore en recrutement
- LMU MunichCode postal vérifiéMunich, Allemagne· Recrutement
- University Clinic FrankfurtCode postal vérifiéFrankfurt am Main, Germany· Recrutement
- Medical University HannoverCode postal vérifiéHanover, Germany· Recrutement
- University Clinic DüsseldorfCode postal vérifiéDüsseldorf, Allemagne· Recrutement
- Kliniken Essen Mitte, EssenCode postal vérifiéEssen, Allemagne· Recrutement
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet Herne, Ruhr University BochumCode postal vérifiéHerne, Allemagne· Recrutement
- University Clinic MünsterCode postal vérifiéMünster, Germany· Recrutement
- University Clinic MainzCode postal vérifiéMainz, Allemagne· Recrutement
- University Medical Center TU DresdenCode postal vérifiéDresde, Allemagne· Recrutement
Questions fréquentes
What is 'treat-to-target'?
It's a treatment approach where doctors set a clear goal, like getting your lupus into remission, and then work to achieve and maintain that goal with regular check-ups and treatment adjustments.
What is remission in lupus?
For this study, remission means having very low or no lupus symptoms, taking a low dose of steroids (5mg or less per day), and your doctor feeling your lupus is well controlled.
How long will the study last if I join?
The study will last for two years, or 120 weeks, from when you start.
Will I get new medicines in this study?
The study is about how doctors manage your current lupus medicines, not necessarily about giving you brand new medicines you haven't taken before. Any changes would be to your existing treatments.
Qui finance cette étude ?
The information provided doesn't specify the funding body for this particular study.
Comment en savoir plus
Matthias Schneider, MD
Parlez toujours à votre médecin généraliste ou spécialiste avant de décider de participer à une étude.
Intéressé à participer ?
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