Background A direct-to-family or virtual approach can improve participant recruitment, retention, and diversity, and improve efficiency of clinical trials. Pediatrics and rare disease may especially benefit from this approach. Recruitment and enrollment of direct-to-family trials in pediatric lupus has not been described. We hypothesize that engaging patients and leveraging a disease registry will facilitate recruitment and enrollment into a direct-to-family pediatric lupus trial (NCT: 04358302).

Objective Evaluate the feasibility of enrolling and recruiting participants into a nationwide, novel direct-to-family pediatric lupus trial

Methods Investigators and study leaders collaborated with patients and advocacy groups, key stakeholders, and a disease registry (Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, CARRA Registry) to design a direct-to-family pediatric lupus trial. Participants across the country were identified through the CARRA Registry. Recruitment and informed consent/assent were conducted remotely by a single site (Duke Clinical Research Institute, DCRI).

Results 191 potentially eligible participants were identified through the CARRA Registry. Of the 84 participants who participated in a live discussion, 44 (52%) scheduled a consenting call. The original enrollment goal of 20 participants was met in 10 days. Enrollment was increased to 26, and an additional 18 participants were added to a back-up list due to high interest.

Conclusions Using a single site to recruit and enroll participants into a nationwide direct-to-family pediatric lupus trial was highly feasible, quick, and effective. Recruiting participants from a disease registry and engaging patient advocacy groups were key to successful enrollment.