| Trial Acronym | STAR |
| Clinical Area | Musculoskeletal |
| Description | Predicting poor hand functional outcome in Rheumatoid Arthritis – a comparison of high resolution ultrasound examination and occupational therapy clinical hand assessment. |
| Status | Analysis and Reporting |
| Date Opened to Recruitment | October 2007 |
| Target Recruitment | 130 |
| Recruitment to date | 130 (Completed) |
| Trial Design | Single centre, longitudinal, prospective, observational, cohort study. |
| Study Aim | To examine the hypothesis that HR ultrasound is more effective than OT clinical assessment in identifying patients most at risk of accelerated hand and wrist joint damage and disability. |
| Primary outcome measure: SODA (sequential functional dexterity assessment). | |
| Secondary outcome measures: Radiological score (Sharp/van der Heidje), Joint deformity score. |
| Chief Investigator | Dr Aubrey Bell |
| Sponsor | Belfast Health and Social Care Trust |
| Funder | Public Health Agency, Health and Social Care, Research and Development |