Home monitoring versus clinic visits for lung disease from rheumatic conditions

The RMD-mILDer trial is testing a new way to manage interstitial lung disease—scarring of the lungs—in people with rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma. Instead of waiting for scheduled hospital appointments every six months, some participants will use a home device to measure their lung function twice a week and answer questionnaires about how they're feeling. The study compares this home monitoring approach to standard clinic-based care to see which one helps catch problems earlier and improves outcomes.

Interstitial lung disease in rheumatic disease patients can worsen quickly, and delays between hospital visits may mean serious changes are missed. This trial explores whether home monitoring with modern technology allows doctors to detect lung decline sooner and adjust treatment before significant damage occurs.