Study Highlights Motivators and Barriers to Clinical Trial Enrollment in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A new comparative literature review has provided important insights into the perspectives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regarding clinical trial participation—highlighting motivators, perceived barriers, and how these differ from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The review analyzed research from PubMed and Scopus to identify studies focusing specifically on adult patient attitudes toward clinical trial enrollment in RA and SLE. Of 171 RA-related articles screened in PubMed and 45 in Scopus, 7 met the inclusion criteria. These studies examined how patients with RA perceive the risks and benefits of participating in clinical research.
Consistent with prior studies across chronic diseases, patients with RA primarily cited altruism and the possibility of personal health benefit as key motivations for joining trials. Many reported a desire to contribute to medical advancements and help others living with RA, while also hoping to access new treatments or more attentive care through trial participation.
Notably, the review found that patients with RA expressed fewer disease-specific concerns than those with SLE. While fear of side effects and trial burden were present in both groups, patients with RA were less likely to report anxiety about exacerbating their condition or being disqualified from participation—issues that prominently deter patients with SLE.
The review also identified a relative gap in literature exploring the perspectives of underrepresented populations within the RA community, such as racial and ethnic minorities. Unlike in SLE research, where unique barriers faced by Black patients have been documented, RA-focused literature has yet to fully explore these dynamics. This gap represents an important area for future investigation, particularly as efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials gain momentum.
Overall, the findings suggest that patients with RA are generally receptive to trial participation when properly informed and supported, and that recruitment barriers may stem more from systemic factors such as limited trial availability or lack of awareness than from disease-related fears. The review encourages targeted strategies to further enhance engagement, including patient education, provider-patient communication, and inclusive trial design.
Reference
Bloostein A, Caricchio R. Patient-reported factors influencing clinical trial participation: an in-depth analysis of patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2025;7(4):e70035. doi:10.1002/acr2.70035
