Click here for a PDF version of this case study
Indero helped optimize recruitment and logistics for this systemic sclerosis (SSc) study.
Outcomes
- Effective study design and patient management leading to 96% patient retention
- Patient recruitment was completed on time without any advertisement despite longer timelines associated with academic sites and the institutional burden
Study Characteristics
- Disease focus: Systemic sclerosis (SSc), including subgroups Raynaudâs phenomenon (RP), limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc)
- Patient demographics: 49 patients with diverse geographic distribution
- Study design: Biopsy-based research requiring 2 or 4 x 3mm biopsies per patient; no treatment was offered as part of the study
Study Challenges & Solutions
Challenge #1 â Recruitment
The absence of an active treatment arm made the study less appealing to potential participants.
Solution: Indero leveraged the siteâs comprehensive patient database to identify and recruit eligible patients.
Challenge #2 â Logistics
- Many participants traveled long distances for study visits, with some living more than 2 hours away.
- Biopsies were conducted at a separate institute, requiring patients to attend 2 locations at each visit.
Solution: Indero successfully coordinated complex logistics, including transportation support for patients from remote areas and seamless scheduling across multiple facilities.
Need help with your next rheumatology study?
