Preventative drug survey
We're working with Capella Bioscience to help evaluate the potential for a new drug that may benefit some people with Raynaud's.
Please read the background information below, and answer the two survey questions. We'll really appreciate your assistance with this effort.
Study sponsor: Capella Bioscience Ltd
Capella Bioscience is developing innovative medicines to the next generation of important therapeutic targets in autoimmune disease.
One of their lead programs involves determining if people with Raynaud's would be willing to take an experimental medicine if considered at risk for a more serious autoimmune disease.
Your participation in this survey will be appreciated and all replies will remain confidential. Only aggregate results will be reported and analysed.
Please read the introductory information below before responding to the two questions.
Background Information
There are two types of Raynaud's:
Primary Raynaud's (about 90% of cases) is not linked to another disease. There is no apparent cause for the phenomenon to occur, and often no formal medical treatment is required.
Secondary Raynaud's is the term used when it is associated with (thus, secondary to) a more serious autoimmune disease. Often Raynaud's symptoms are the first sign that such an underlying condition exists.
Tests can determine if Raynaud's is secondary and which diseases should be addressed for treatment. Identifying which form of Raynaud's you have is important for early intervention; and, indeed, treatment may help to prevent the onset of serious disease complications.
Scleroderma is one of the more serious primary diseases that can occur among Raynaud's sufferers. More than 95% of those diagnosed with scleroderma (aka systemic sclerosis) have Raynaud's, and it's usually the first symptom of the disease to be noticed (although, fortunately, only 0.1% of people diagnosed with Raynaud's will go on to develop scleroderma).
Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. In addition to thickening of the skin and sensitivity to cold or stress in the extremities (Raynaud's), common scleroderma components include shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, joint stiffness and pain, and damage to internal organs. Scleroderma is a life-threatening disorder, and once developed, there is no cure.
Given the above information, we'd like you to consider a hypothetical scenario where you learn you have secondary Raynaud's and will appreciate your response.