Emory
Researchers Seek Patients with Osteoarthritis for Drug Study
Emory University
researchers are recruiting African American patients with osteoarthritis
of the knee for a study involving a new COX-2 inhibitor, a drug targeted
at reducing arthritis pain, inflammation and stiffness. Researchers
are trying to determine if the newly marketed drug works as well in
African Americans as in the general population. Osteoarthritis is described
as the degenerative wear and tear of the bone and cartilage in one or
more joints.
"African Americans generally
have a different pattern of osteoarthritis," says J. Robin DeAndrade,
M.D., professor of orthopaedics at Emory and lead investigator of this
study. "Their bone structure is much more dense than other populations.
So we want to see how effective this COX-2 inhibitor will be in helping
to relieve their pain and inflammation."
To enroll, participants must
have osteoarthritis of the knee, be 45 years of age and older and must
not have undergone knee replacement surgery. Participants in the trial
will be selected randomly to receive the study drug, another older and
more standard drug used for years to treat osteoarthritis, or a placebo.
Four office visits over a
six-week period are required to participate in the study. Medication
and office visits are provided free of charge. A small stipend for reimbursement
of travel will be given to participants. The drug company that manufactures
this new COX-2 inhibitor is funding this multi-center trial. Eligible
participants or individuals seeking more information about the study
can call (404) 778-6370.
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