Il progetto

IntegraRE is an ISS project carried out in collaboration with the CReI (Collegio Reumatologi Italiani) and aims to evaluate the use of food supplements in the rheumatology field by a survey addressed to doctors and their patients.
Rheumatological diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that usually affect the joints but can occur in any organ. They are characterized by chronicity, progression over time, pain and functional limitation, which in the most severe cases can lead to significant disability, with a significant impact on both quality of life and life expectancy. Moreover, the chronic inflammatory processes underlying these diseases contribute to increase comorbidities and mortality.
Although the efficacy of new therapies is increasing for many rheumatological diseases, for others there are still no adequate treatments, so non-pharmacological strategies are needed to control symptoms, including pain, which can be disabling.
Among the possible strategies for the management of rheumatological patients, food supplements play a prominent role. In recent years, their market has grown considerably due to the belief that, because of their natural origin, they can be a valuable aid without side effects. However, it is difficult to estimate their actual use due to the lack of consumption data. In fact, although they may be recommended to patients by physicians, food supplements do not require a prescription and can be freely purchased through both traditional (pharmacies, para-pharmacies, large-scale distribution, etc.) and alternative channels (Internet). In addition, their use without medical supervision could lead to the occurrence of adverse effects in the patient, e.g. through misuse or drug interactions.
The project started in October 2024 and will end in October 2026.
It was also presented at the CReI National Congress 2024. For more details see the Agency DiRE interview.

​​​​PHASE 1
This first phase is addressed to rheumatology physicians and aims to investigate rheumatologists' knowledge of dietary supplements, attitudes towards these products, and recommendations to patients.
Participation in the study is completely voluntary and no information or data directly tracing the identity of the participant will be requested.
The link to the questionnaire will be emailed by the Italian College of Rheumatologists (CReI) to each registered physician. The questionnaire will be open until April 2025.

​TRAINING EVENT
Between Phase 1 and Phase 2, a training event for rheumatologists will be organized at the Italian National Institute of Health, in collaboration with the Italian College of Rheumatologists (CReI), in order to raise awareness on food supplements.

PHASE 2
The target population in this phase are the patients of the rheumatologists participating in phase 1; the objective is to investigate the intake of dietary supplements by rheumatology patients, focusing on the specifics of the product consumed and the reasons for use.
The questionnaire, in paper format, will be provided to patients by their rheumatologist and filled in independently while waiting for the visit. The questionnaires will then be collected in special binders placed in the waiting rooms and sent periodically to the ISS e-mail box dedicated to the project. The questionnaire can be filled in from June 2025 to May 2026.