• SKIP TO CONTENT
  • SKIP NAVIGATION
  • Patient Resources
    • Clinical Trial Listings
    • What is Clinical Research?
    • Volunteering for a Clinical Trial
    • Understanding Informed Consent
    • Useful Resources
    • FDA Approved Drugs
  • Professional Resources
    • Research Center Profiles
    • Market Research
    • Benchmark Reports
    • FDA Approved Drugs
    • Training Guides
    • Books
    • eLearning
    • Events
    • Newsletters
    • White Papers
    • SOPs
  • White Papers
  • Clinical Trial Listings
  • Advertise
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Home » Patient differences recruiting rheumatoid arthritis globally

Patient differences recruiting rheumatoid arthritis globally

June 1, 2017
CenterWatch Staff

Second of two parts

In the May 2017 issue of The CenterWatch Monthly, findings from INC Research’s study of clinical trial perceptions among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were highlighted. The study collected insights from RA patients in the U.S., U.K., Poland, Japan and Mexico, which helped show how best to engage with patients around the world.

In Mexico, RA patients are much more likely to enroll in a clinical trial, and as seen in previous studies of Hispanic populations, family approval of the decision to participate is important. Mexico was also the only country surveyed where recruitment through advertisement was generally accepted, and, in fact, almost equally preferred to recruitment through a physician or rheumatologist. Advertising for clinical trials may be particularly effective in Mexico, especially when the patient’s family is considered as an additional target audience for clinical trial communications.

RA patients from the U.S., U.K. and Poland were similar in their answers, suggesting that lessons learned can be transferred between these countries and possibly between the U.S. and European countries in general. This is especially significant in other indications where studies of patients’ perceptions have primarily been conducted in the U.S.

In Japan, however, responses were significantly distinct with a remarkable focus on the convenience and flexibility of study visits. Japanese patients were generally less satisfied with the cost and effectiveness of their treatment and many were unable to afford the medication they felt worked best for them. In spite of a seemingly bigger incentive, Japanese RA patients were much less likely to enroll than patients in other countries, possibly due to higher prevalence of safety concerns around clinical trials.

Designing clinical trials with flexibility in mind and communicating contingency plans and safety procedures to prospective participants may hold significant value to this demographic.


Guest Contributor Emil Hoeck is a member of the Site and Patient Access team within INC Research; Hoeck contributes to strategic site relationships and process improvement at INC Research, drawing on past experiences from working at a research site and as head of QA in a small CRO. Hoeck has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, and graduates as M.Sc. in Medicine with Industrial Specialization in July 2017 from Aalborg University.

This article was reprinted from Volume 24, Issue 06, of The CenterWatch Monthly, an industry leading publication providing hard-hitting, authoritative business and financial coverage of the clinical research space. The Action Items section features short columns  focusing on actionable or how-to advice from clinical trial professionals. To submit an Action Item, please contact editorial@centerwatch.com. Subscribe >>

    Upcoming Events

    • 16Oct

      MAGI@home Clinical Research Conference 2023

    • 25Oct

      2023 WCG Patient Forum

    • 26Oct

      FDA in 2024: What to Expect in an Election Year

    Featured Products

    • Surviving an FDA GCP Inspection

      Surviving an FDA GCP Inspection: Resources for Investigators, Sponsors, CROs and IRBs

    • Best Practices for Clinical Trial Site Management

      Best Practices for Clinical Trial Site Management

    Featured Stories

    • Donna Snyder

      New WCG Executive Physician Outlines Goals for Clinical Research

    • Hand Shake at Meeting

      Partnership to Bolster Trials in Low Resource Regions Kicks Off

    • Guidelines-360x240.png

      Major Industry Groups Offer Feedback on ICH’s E6(R3) Guidelines

    • AsktheExpertsBadge-360x240.png

      Ask the Experts: Monitoring

    Standard Operating Procedures for Risk-Based Monitoring of Clinical Trials

    The information you need to adapt your monitoring plan to changing times.

    Learn More Here
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Do Not Sell or Share My Data

    Footer Logo

    300 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA

    Phone 703.538.7600 – Toll free 888.838.5578

    Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing