Relevant non‐pharmacologic topics for clinical research in rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases: The patient perspective

Objective The research approach on rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) is challenging and patient involvement is an emerging issue to obtain relevant information to research. Despite growing interest in non‐pharmacologic aspects of clinical research in RMDs, the patients’ perspectives are currently poorly explored. Methods A cross‐sectional no‐profit online survey was devised to identify and rank the priorities for clinical research in RMDs according to patients’ perspectives. Patients were asked to rate the following topics: food/nutrition, air pollution, smoking, work activity, social participation, physical activity, emotional well‐being/stress, alternative medicine, and patient‐physician relationship. The survey was disseminated by ALOMAR (Lombard Association for Rheumatic Diseases) between June and October 2019. Results Two hundred RMD patients completed the survey. The topic most rated 188 (94%) was the doctor‐patient relationship, considered very or extremely important. Other topics rated as follows: psychological well‐being 185 (92.5%), physical activity 155 (77.5%), nutrition, eating habits 150 (75%), alternative therapies 144 (72%), work activity 144 (72%), environmental pollution 134 (67%), social life 121 (60.5%) and cigarette smoke 119 (59.5%). The topics considered relevant were perceived to be able to influence disease symptoms. Environmental pollution and smoking were considered the most important for RMD prevention in 43.3% and 48.7% respectively. Conclusions This survey highlights the relevance of several unmet needs and indicates that active patient involvement is essential to design successful translational studies and improve clinical outcomes.