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Recruitment strategies in superiority trials in SLE: lessons from the study of methotrexate in lupus erythematosus (SMILE)

Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, The Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Paul R Fortin

Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, The Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; The Montreal General Hospital, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room L10-421, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada. Tel: (+ 1) (514) 937 6011, ext 4718; fax: (+ 1) (514) 934 8293 mdfn{at}musica.mcgill.ca

The task of recruiting patients for a research project can prove to be the most difficult aspect of the entire research process. A large portion of the work of research is devoted to the identification of strategies which ensure a successful recruitment of patients. Every researcher has learned from experience the many methods needed to enhance patient enrollment into trials. Superiority trials in SLE have not been frequent in previous years. This paper describes the challenges encountered with the multicentre SMILE trial in progress across Canada. We identify areas where patient recruitment is a problem, potential reasons for the problem, and the results of tactics used to increase enrollment.

Key Words: recruitment strategies • SLE • problems with recruitment

Lupus, Vol. 8, No. 8, 606-611 (1999)
DOI: 10.1191/096120399680411371


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