(Vienna, 19 August 2025) Three recent studies conducted by the Clinical Division of Rheumatology at MedUni Vienna's Department of Internal Medicine III exemplify a research approach that consistently puts patients at the centre. They specifically address questions that arise from everyday clinical practice: What information do doctors lack in their everyday work, what concerns do patients have, and what data is crucial for improving treatment decisions? The three studies show how patient-centred research – from digital tools and safe pregnancy support to fairer, more meaningful clinical trials – directly contributes to sustainably improving patient care and quality of life.
In doing so, they develop methods that can be integrated into the everyday lives of those affected. One example is the COTIDIANA app, which facilitates regular self-recording of health data without placing an additional burden on patients.
Importantly, the results of these studies can be directly incorporated into patient care. One example is the study on passive immunity, which provides important safety information for pregnant women with autoimmune diseases and gives treating physicians clear, reassuring evidence.
At the same time, this work contributes to the further development of standards for future research. The analysis of socioeconomical factors in PsA studies shows how clinical trials can be better designed by systematically taking into account patient-relevant results, thereby becoming even more valuable for care.
Digital data collection in rheumatology
In this prospective study, 48 patients with psoriatic arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome or osteoarthritis were asked to answer questions about pain, fatigue, sleep quality and general well-being daily (and additionally weekly) for 14 days using the COTIDIANA app. The researchers examined how reliable the answers were and whether the app was suitable for use in practice. The results showed that the answers were consistent, both from day to day and between daily and weekly surveys. The app was found to be user-friendly and well received.
Benefits for patients:
COTIDIANA enables continuous, everyday monitoring of health status without patients having to visit the clinic frequently. This reduces the burden on those affected, provides doctors with an up-to-date picture between appointments and allows therapy to be adjusted earlier if the condition worsens.
Publication: RMD Open
Collecting patient-reported outcomes via the COTIDIANA smartphone app: a prospective validity study
Authors: Nakhost-Lotfi N, et al.
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2025-005730
Safe immunity for newborns with rheumatic diseases
In this case-control study, blood samples from 38 mothers with systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, Sjögren's syndrome) and their newborns were compared with those from 38 healthy mother-child pairs. The analysis focused on antibody transfer against rubella, varicella and COVID-19. Results: Even mothers with autoimmune diseases effectively passed on antibodies to their children, regardless of whether they were taking medications such as cortisone or immunosuppressive therapies.
Benefits for patients:
This study gives the all-clear for pregnant women with autoimmune diseases: their treatment does not impair immune transfer to the child. This provides certainty in family planning and strengthens confidence in a closely monitored, healthy pregnancy.
Publication: Journal of Autoimmunity
Passive maternal immunity in children born to women with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease – A case-control study
Authors: Mazzucato-Puchner A, et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2025.103439
Placebo rates depends on socioeconomic status in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis clinical trials
In an analysis of more than 90 international clinical trials involving over 12,000 patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, researchers investigated how the socioeconomic status of the country where the trials were conducted influenced placebo response. The result: in countries with lower average incomes and limited access to modern therapies, the placebo response was significantly higher than in more affluent countries. A possible explanation for this observation is an incentive to participate in studies in countries with limited access to healthcare and an associated incentive to participate in clinical trials. Participation in the study, with regular contact with doctors, may therefore increase the placebo response.
Benefits for patients:
By recognizing these differences and taking them into account when planning future studies, more meaningful results can be achieved, potentially reducing the number of study participants required for a study. In the long term, this means better evaluation of new therapies and a higher probability that effective treatments will actually be identified and approved.
Publication: Arthritis & Rheumatology
Global Recruiting Patterns Affect Placebo Response Rates In Clinical Trials of Psoriatic Arthritis and Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Kerschbaumer A, Steiner M, Khalili S, Shehab A, Jordanov A, Wildner B, Maad M, Smolen JS, Aletaha D
DOI: 10.1002/art.43302
Altogether, these three studies contribute to improving care in a patient-centered manner – via improving self-monitoring, clarifying mother-child transfer of immunity, and providing guidance towards new standards in designing future clinical trials, for rheumatic patients.