Home > Research Projects > AER-COMED – Adverse treatment effects in inflammatory rheumatic diseases – the role of comedication
  • Innovationsfonds (G-BA)

AER-COMED – Adverse treatment effects in inflammatory rheumatic diseases – the role of comedication

Within the framework of the AER-COMED research network, seven sub-projects are analysing the connection between potentially incorrect or non-guideline-compliant drug therapy and the occurrence of adverse treatment effects. For this purpose, reliable epidemiological data from long-term cohorts of the Epidemiology Programme Area as well as health insurance data are evaluated. The investigation is further enriched by the implementation of supplementary surveys and qualitative interviews, which facilitate the discernment of health concerns associated with drug therapy and their underlying causes, as experienced by the affected individuals. The involvement of patient partners is a fundamental aspect of the research endeavour.

The overarching aim of AER-COMED is threefold: firstly, to identify particularly vulnerable groups with an increased risk of inadequate drug therapy; secondly, to determine the causes of this risk; and thirdly, to develop preventive strategies. The project is funded by the Federal Joint Committee with resources from the Innovation Fund.

Duration

2025 – 2027

Head of project

The outcomes of the AER-COMED research network will inform clinicians, health policy makers and patients about avoidable adverse effects of treatment in risk groups. The results will support personalised treatment decisions and shared decision-making. This objective can be realised, for example, by integrating specific findings on potential drug-drug interactions and risks of medication errors directly into practice software. The clinical documentation system RheDAT, which was developed jointly by the Professional Association of German Rheumatologists, the German Society for Rheumatology, the association of rheumatological acute hospitals and the DRFZ, is ideal for this purpose. The findings on the frequency and risk factors of adverse effects are also suitable for inclusion in guidelines and treatment recommendations.

The AER-COMED research network aims to adopt a participatory research approach. This approach entails the active involvement of the individuals whose everyday lives are being studied, as equal members of the research team, in the development and implementation of the projects. To this end, an advisory board has been constituted, comprising two trained research partners from the German League against Rheumatism. Both members of the advisory board have already accumulated experience in participating in research projects. AER-COMED will benefit from this advisory board at every stage of the research process, as the perspective of the people concerned and the practical experience of the reality of care will be taken into account.

Associated partners

Consortium leader
Prof. Dr. med. Anja Strangfeld
Head of Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Group leader: Pharmacoepidemiology

Project coordination
Dr. rer. nat. Eva Voll
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Pharmacoepidemiology

Sub-project 1
Dr. med. Katinka Albrecht
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Health Services Research

Sub-project 2
Prof. Dr. med. Kirsten Minden
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Group leader: Paediatric Rheumatology and Health Services Research

Sub-project 3
Dr. rer. med. Yvette Meißner
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Health Services Research

Sub-project 4
PD Dr. med. Anne Regierer
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Group leader: Register Research in Rheumatology

Sub-project 5 
Prof. Dr. med. Anja Strangfeld
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Group leader: Pharmakoepidemiologie

Sub-project 7
Dr. rer. medic. Johanna Callhoff
Programme Area 2,  Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Group leader: Health Services Research

Dr. rer. medic. Felix Mühlensiepen PhD, MPH
Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane
Center for Health Services Research

Dr. med. Ursula Marschall
BARMER Institute for Health System Research
Head of Medical Research / Health Services Research

Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Fiehn
Rheumatology Baden-Baden

Prof. Dr. Falk Hoffmann, MPH
Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Faculty VI Medicine and Health Sciences
Department of Health Services Research

Birgit Arndt
Annika Spindler

www.rheuma-liga.de

Sub-projects

Sub-project 1 (DRFZ, Health Services Research)

Frequency and effects of combined use of antirheumatic drugs with potential interactions
AER-COMED (sub-project 1): The frequency and effects of combined use of antirheumatic drugs with potential interactions

Sub-project 2 (DRFZ, Paediatric Rheumatology and Health Services Research)

Risks of long-term therapy in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
AER-COMED (sub-project 2): Risks of long-term therapy in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

Sub-project 3 (DRFZ, Pharmacoepidemiology)

Pregnancy complications following treatment with glucocorticoids and NSAIDs in patients with various inflammatory rheumatic diseases
AER-COMED (sub-project 3): Pregnancy complications following treatment with glucocorticoids and NSAIDs in patients with various inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Sub-project 4 (DRFZ, Register Research in Rheumatology)

Glucocorticoid treatment and associated comorbidities in patients with spondyloarthritis
AER-COMED (sub-projects 4): Prescription of glucocorticoids and associated comorbidities in patients with spondyloarthritis

Sub-project 5 (DRFZ, Pharmacoepidemiology)

The risk of adverse events from drug treatment in patients over 70 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis
AER-COMED (sub-project 5): The risk of adverse events from drug treatment in patients over 70 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis

Sub-project 6 (DRFZ, Pharmacoepidemiology together with Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane )

Difficulties of older people with rheumatoid arthritis with medication adherence
AER-COMED (sub-project 7): Identifying and quantifying adverse treatment effects from the patient perspective

Sub-project 7 (DRFZ, Health Services Research)

Identifying and quantifying adverse treatment effects from the patient perspective
AER-COMED (sub-project 7): Identifying and quantifying adverse treatment effects from the patient perspective

Programmbereich 2

Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung