Clinical Database in Rheumatology Section
Study Summary
The University of Chicago and Dr. Keating are conducting a study to gather data about rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases cause chronic pain and progressive physical impairment due to damage in joints and soft tissues. There are over 100 diseases and conditions defined as rheumatic. The most common include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, and bursitis. Despite progress made in understanding rheumatic diseases, many basic features of these diseases such as how the disease forms or acts are still not well known. The purpose of this study is to develop a computerized database of rheumatic patients. This will permit evaluation of new treatments and help with basic science research into the causes of rheumatic diseases. The database will store medical history (including past and current diagnoses, laboratory data, medications, and procedures) and demographic information on patients who consent to being added to the database.
For the purposes of this study, information will be gathered from your medical records or treating physician. You will also be asked to answer questions regarding race/ethnicity, years of education, income and family history of rheumatic disease during your regularly scheduled clinic visits. Specifically, the following information will be collected: medical record number (University of Chicago identifying number), study number (identifying number for this study), name, telephone number, address, sex, race/ethnicity, date of consent, your primary rheumatologist, primary rheumatologic diagnosis, medical history, medication history, years of education, income, family history of rheumatic disease, disease-specific measures of activity, function and damage, rheumatic and general medical test results, and personal health history (smoking, alcohol, drug use).
There may be no benefit to you for participating in this study. The information obtained in this study will, hopefully, benefit other individuals with rheumatic diseases and aid in our understanding of the causes and best treatments for rheumatic diseases.
Participation Details
Initial selection criteria include:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a patient at the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic
Study Director: Dr. Richard Keating
Department: Rheumatology
For more information contact:
Maria Badaracco
mbadarac@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
(773) 834-5357
IRB: #15518B
