Improvements in arthritis treatment come from clinical trials. Clinical trials allow researchers to see which arthritis treatments work, which don’t work, and how different arthritis treatments compare to each other.
There are currently several clinical trials going on in the United States. They are being conducted by the National Databank (NDB), which is a research databank for the purpose of studying arthritis and rheumatic conditions.
The National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases is a world-renowned, non-profit, independent research group. Its mission is to improve rheumatic disorder outcomes and care by providing research information to doctors and to people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, or other related problems. The NDB has published numerous articles in reputable medical journals.
Every six months more than 10,000 people contribute to this important research by volunteering approximately an hour of their time to answer questions about their condition and how it affects their lives. This is done online or by completing paper questionnaires that they send in the mail.
If you decide to participate in the NDB you’ll be making an important contribution to the future of arthritis treatment.
What to Do If You Wish to Participate in the NDB Study
1.Visit the NDB enrollment page: You’ll be asked to provide consent to participate in the research.
2.After consenting, you’ll begin the enrollment forms. They will ask for your contact information, your doctor’s contact information, and other ways they can reach you if necessary. They may need to contact your doctor to confirm your diagnosis.
3.Then you’ll move on to four pages of questions about your condition, which medications you are taking and have taken in the past, and your general state of health.
4.That’s it. You’re almost done. Look in your email for confirmation of your enrollment.
5.Once you have completed the enrollment form, you are now ready to join in the on-going research. They will contact you every 6 months in January and July with an email link to an online questionnaire. Depending on when you signed up, it may be a few months before you receive your first email with the online questionnaire link.
BENEFITS
The NDB project provides an easy-to-use format that allows you to share your experience, giving researchers information intended to help improve treatments for rheumatic diseases and improve the quality of life for people living with rheumatic disease.
Your participation could help change arthritis treatment for the better. New and more effective arthritis treatment may result from this study.