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The MERINO trial
EU CTIS ID: 2023-510523-30-00
What this study is testing
To explore whether methotrexate can reduce finger joint pain in patients with symptomatic erosive inflammatory hand OA.
- Therapeutic use (Phase IV)
A plain-language read of the study's public EU CTIS listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
You may be able to join if
- Finger joint pain 40-80 on 0-100 VAS with insufficient pain relief from, inability to tolerate or contra-indications to oral paracetamol and/or NSAIDs, and hand symptoms (pain, aching, or stiffness) on most days the previous 6 weeks before randomization.
- Hand OA according to the ACR criteria, at least 1 distal (DIP) or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the 2nd-5th finger with radiographic pre-erosive (J-phase) or erosive disease (E-phase) according to the Verbruggen-Veys anatomical phase system, and at least two DIP/PIP joints with power Doppler signal of at least grade 1 or grey-scale synovitis of at least grade 2 on ultrasound.
You likely can't join if
- • Contraindications for methotrexate, such as uncontrolled serious comorbidities, active or recurrent infections, malignancy, pregnancy and drug or substance abuse. • Other autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic disease, or psoriasis. • Oral or intra-muscular steroids in the previous month. • Intra-articular treatments or aspirations of any kind of any joint in the hands 3 months before inclusion. • Analgesics, unless stable dosage for ≥1 month. • Symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA (SYSADOA*), unless stable dose for ≥3 months. • Disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs**). The complete list of exclusion criteria is provided in the protocol.
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 18-64 years, 65+ years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from EU CTIS; the study team decides eligibility.