THIS STUDY HAS COMPLETED RECRUITMENT IN SALFORD BUT CONTINUES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE UK. FURTHER UPDATES WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

Study area: Arthritis research

Study title: HERO (Hydroxychloroquine Effectiveness in Reducing symptoms of hand Osteoarthritis)

Brief Description: Do you have painful hand osteoarthritis?

Researchers are looking for 252 volunteers to take part in a study called The HERO trial.  This is a placebo-controlled trial which is taking place in 10 locations across the UK, including Manchester.

The study looks at the effects of a medicine called hydroxychloroquine, for people with painful hand osteoarthritis(OA) in two or more joints of the hand.  

Researchers are looking to answer two questions:

A)    How effective this medicine is at relieving pain for people with hand OA?

B)    Does the medicine stop or slow the damage to joints caused by OA?

Suitable volunteers who agree to be in the study will be randomly assigned to take either the new medicine or the placebo.  Volunteers will also take their usual hand OA medicine.

You will not know which group you are in until the end of the study.

Volunteers will take the medicine for 12 months and will be examined at the beginning, middle and the end of the study to determine whether the medicine hydroxychloroquine is better at reducing pain than the standard treatment.  

Participant information: You can take part in this study if you have:

• YES Osteoarthritis in two or more joints in your hand
• NO history of inflammatory arthritis (Rheumatoid arthritis)
• NO recent use of steroids (tablet or injections)
• NO known sensitivity to hydroxychloroquine or a related 4-aminoquinoline compound
• NO pre-existing maculopathy of the eye.

 

Location: Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust