News Release

Rush seeking patients with psoriatic arthritis for drug trial

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Rush University Medical Center

Patients with psoriatic arthritis are being sought to participate in a drug trial at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis that occurs in approximately 10 percent of the patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a potentially devastating disease that affects more than 7 million people in the United States. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by a combination of swollen, stiff or painful joints and surrounding soft tissue, primarily in the hands, feet, knees, hips, elbows and spine. It may develop at any age, but most often begins between the ages of 30 and 50. Currently, there are no unique therapies approved by the FDA for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

Patients who enroll in the trial will either receive the drug, Enbrel (etanercept), or a placebo for 24 weeks. Enbrel is currently approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

To inquire about the study, call 312-226-0130.

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Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center includes the 809-bed Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital; 154-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center for the Elderly; Rush University (Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Graduate College); and seven Rush Institutes providing diagnosis, treatment and research into leading health problems. The medical center is the tertiary hub of the Rush System for Health, a comprehensive healthcare system capable of serving about three million people through its outpatient facilities and seven member hospitals.


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