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More Trial Participation Needed By Black Patients With SLE
Racial representation in clinical trials must be improved to enhance participation among Black patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), and reframe how trial information is presented, researchers revealed in a recent Critical Race Theory study.
Researchers also stressed re-evaluating potential barriers restricting trial participation, and the importance of acknowledging, and responding, to racial bias in health care.
“Community-Academic Partnerships may help build trust and reduce fears of mistreatment among Black individuals with SLE,” the authors reported. “Black patients with SLE experience greater disease incidence and severity than White patients yet are underrepresented in SLE clinical trials. We applied Critical Race Theory to qualitatively explore the influence of racism on the underrepresentation of Black patients in SLE clinical trials and to develop a framework for future intervention,” the authors reported.
Four focus groups were held in Boston and Chicago, consisting of Black adults (aged 18 years and older) with SLE, and their caregivers. Participants were asked a series of questions regarding their knowledge of clinical trials, any factors that could hinder or motivate trial participation, and how race/racism might impact trial participation.
Of the groups, 90% of participants were women with a mean age of 54 years.
“Qualitative analyses revealed several themes that negatively impact trial participation, including mistrust related to racism, concerns about assignment to placebo groups, strict study exclusion criteria, and SLE-related concerns. Factors that motivated trial participation included recommendations from physicians and reputable institutions, a desire to help the greater good, and culturally sensitive marketing of trials,” the authors concluded.
—Angelique Platas
Reference
Sneed RS, Mason M, Williams JN, et al. Using critical race theory to understand trial participation among black individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus: a qualitative study of patients and caregivers. Arthritis Care Res Published online May 2021.
