Trial results for a study on cardiovascular risk assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-10-24. The study found that a peer coach-guided online learning program resulted in 28 participants having their lipids checked, compared to 16 in the control group.
Background
One of the greatest success stories in rheumatology — the achievement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remission — is tempered by the fact that individuals with RA are dramatically under evaluated and under treated to reduce the risk for heart attacks and strokes. This project aimed to build the foundation for an intervention to improve hyperlipidemia screening and treatment in RA patients, thereby decreasing the risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 101 participants to investigate conditions including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Hyperlipidemias. The trial compared a Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program against a Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) to assess their impact on cardiovascular risk assessment behaviors.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements across the intervention groups:
- Number of Subjects With Lipids Checked (Available Now Through National Laboratory Chain) or That Reported Having Their Lipids Checked by Their 1-week or 3-month Visit.
- In the Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program group, 28 participants had their lipids checked.
- In the Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) group, 16 participants had their lipids checked.
- A Chi-squared analysis showed a p-value of 0.005.
- Change in General Self-Efficacy (GSF) Score From Baseline to the End of the Study Between Arms.
- The Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program group showed a median change of 1 unit on a scale.
- The Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) group also showed a median change of 1 unit on a scale.
- A Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) analysis showed a p-value of 0.6.
- Change in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) Score From Baseline to the End of the Study Between Arms.
- The Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program group showed a median change of 1 unit on a scale.
- The Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) group also showed a median change of 1 unit on a scale.
- A Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) analysis showed a p-value of 0.4.
- Change in Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID3) Score From Baseline to the End of the Study Between Arms.
- The Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program group showed a median change of 0.00 units on a scale.
- The Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) group showed a median change of -0.10 units on a scale.
- A Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) analysis showed a p-value of 0.6.
- Change in Patient Health Questionnaire - 8 (PHQ-8) Score From Baseline to the End of the Study Between Arms.
- The Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program group showed a median change of -1 unit on a scale.
- The Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) group showed a median change of 0 units on a scale.
- A Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) analysis showed a p-value of 0.5.
- Change in MOS Social Support Survey Score From Baseline to the End of the Study Between Arms.
- The Peer Coach Guided Online Learning Program group showed a median change of 1 unit on a scale.
- The Self-administered Online Learning Program (Control) group showed a median change of 2 units on a scale.
- A Wilcoxon (Mann-Whitney) analysis showed a p-value of 0.9.
What this means
The results suggest that a peer coach-guided online learning program can significantly improve lipid screening rates among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, addressing a critical gap in cardiovascular risk management for this population. While the peer coach program demonstrated a clear advantage in lipid screening, other patient-reported outcomes such as self-efficacy, patient activation, disease activity (RAPID3), depression (PHQ-8), and social support did not show statistically significant differences between the peer-coached and self-administered online learning programs. This highlights the potential for targeted interventions to improve specific health behaviors in RA patients.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT04488497, titled "Cardiovascular Risk Assessment for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Arthritis:", were posted on 2025-10-24 on clinicaltrials.gov.