Research Information Sheet for Practices

Study Title	GCA: The Impact of Giant Cell Arteritis Study
Sponsor	University of Keele
Funders	Arthritis Research UK
Chief Investigator	Prof Christian Mallen
Study design	Cross-sectional questionnaire study and linked medical record review in primary care patients with a GCA diagnosis
Primary Study Aim & Objectives	To investigate the diagnostic process and health outcomes of primary care patients with GCA
Practice target & study duration	500 patients from approximately 800 patients invited
Recruitment period	January 2015 to December 2015 (inclusive).
Summary of Eligibility Criteria (refer to Protocol for full criteria)	Inclusion Criteria Males & females aged ≥50yrs Patients with a first Read coded diagnosis of GCA in the last 3 years (01/01/2012 – 01/01/2015) will be identified via an electronic search of the primary care records in participating practices (Read codes G755, G7550, G7551, G7552 & G755z). Exclusion Criteria Usual exclusion criteria (e.g. terminal illness, dementia, learning difficulties) Declined Invitation to participate in research – Read Code 9QB)
Core Practice Activities	Run a database search in line with the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. GP to check list of identified patients and remove any inappropriate patients Mail-out to eligible patients 12 months medical records review (via import for EMIS web)
Resources provided by the study team	Study team will provide each participating practice with study documents and update practices with any study amendments for the study duration Study team will provide patient packs, including a covering letter of invitation from the general practice, a Patient Information Sheet (PIS) and a baseline questionnaire with a Consent Form and Freepost return envelope.
Practice Reminbursements	Practices will receive £50.98 for local co-ordination and study set up, and £43.28 for search and mailout

Local CRN contact: Rebecca Harrison r.l.harrison@warwick.ac.uk; 02476575853