View clinical trials related to Sjogren's Syndrome.
Filter by:The primary purpose of this study is to quantify the change in expression of biomarkers on the ocular surface of Sjogren's Syndrome participants after treatment with Maxidex.
Background: Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s Syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the glands that produce saliva and tears, causing dry eyes and dry mouth. Researchers do not know the exact cause of SS, but they believe that it may be caused by abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that stimulate these glands. Objectives: To better understand ANS function in patients with SS. To compare information about ANS function in healthy individuals and in patients with SS. Eligibility: Patients with Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s Syndrome who are 18 years of age and older, and who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Participants will be asked to taper or discontinue the use of certain medications or dietary supplements before the ANS testing. Participants must be willing to discontinue the use of alcohol and tobacco 24 hours prior to testing. Design: The study will require one inpatient admission and/or outpatient visits to the NIH Clinical Center. The following tests and procedures will be performed: - Saliva, tear, and sweat production measurements to evaluate the function of glands. - Testing of changes to the cardiovascular system, including blood pressure and blood flow testing, and an electrocardiogram designed to evaluate hemodynamic changes controlled by the ANS. - Testing of changes to the gastrointestinal system, including a swallowing assessment study, barium swallow study, and gastric emptying study designed to evaluate gastrointestinal function controlled by the ANS. - Tests to evaluate the ANS function in response to certain drugs (edrophonium, glucagon and acetylcholine). - Self-reported questionnaire on ANS function and emotional/psychological well-being. Additional procedures and tests may include the following: - Blood samples. - Optional skin biopsy to study sweat glands and nerve supply of the skin.
Our research contributes to the understanding of some of the basic biology of the salivary glands. The etiology and many of the pathomechanisms of Sjögren's syndrome are unknown. In particular, reasons for the female dominance, late age of onset, fatigue and the prominent involvement of exocrine glands are unknown. We hypothesize, due to the disease characteristics, that the primary target hit by the disease process is the secretory acinar cell and that this cell is particularly damaged in women due to insufficient support, normally provided by dehydroepiandrosterone and its intracrine processing.
Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia. In addition, various extraglandular manifestations may develop. Several immunomodulating agents have been attempted in the treatment of pSS without achieving satisfactory results. Currently, there is no approved systemic treatment for pSS. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a selective inhibitor of inosine-monophosphate-dehydrogenase which leads to inhibition of the de novo pathway of nucleotide synthesis. The antiproliferative effect of MPA mainly affects activated T- and B-lymphocytes because the proliferation of these cells is critically dependent on the de novo purine synthesis compared to other eukaryotic cells. Since these lymphocytes have been suggested to play a pivotal role in the inflammation and immunopathogenesis of pSS, mycophenolate-sodium might be a promising agent in the treatment of pSS. We perform a single-centre, open-label pilot trial with Mycophenolate sodium in pSS.
It is difficult to predict how a women with an autoimmune disease will do during pregnancy. Some women will improve, others will worsen. Some pregnancies progress normally and others become very complicated. The Duke Autoimmunity in Pregnancy (DAP) Registry will enroll women with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjogren's syndrome who wish to become, or already are, pregnant. We will follow these women throughout pregnancy to better understand how their autoimmune disease affects their pregnancy, and vice versa.
The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the safetyness and efficacy of pilocarpine drops versus artificial saliva as symptomatic treatment for dry mouth and dry eyes caused by SS in a multicenter, doubleblind, controlled trial.
The primary purpose of the study is to determine whether B-cell depletion with Rituximab has an effect on the oral, ocular and general disease manifestations in patients with primary Sjögren´s syndrome, that is, an effect on the symptoms of oral and ocular dryness, improvement of the glandular function and a beneficial effect on the general symptoms such as fatigue. The secondary purpose of the study is the investigate the underlying autoimmune and pathophysiological mechanisms in Sjögren´s syndrome.
The purpose of the study is to examine whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration improves fatigue and general well-being in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or primary Sjögren's syndrome
This study is an evaluation of the effect of rituximab compared to placebo in combination with steroids on salivary flow and serological and clinical parameters in patients with primary SS.
This study will examine the effect of the drug Raptiva (efalizumab) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), an autoimmune disease affecting the glands producing saliva & tears. The cause of SS is not known, but inflammation plays an important role. Raptiva is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease. Patients 18 years of age & older with SS may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a history & physical examination, chest x-ray, and oral & eye examinations. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either Raptiva or placebo (an inactive substance that looks like Raptiva) for the first 3 months of the study. For the next 3 months, all participants receive Raptiva. Both Raptiva & placebo are injected under the skin once a week. Evaluation during treatment & for 2 months after treatment as follows: Full comprehensive evaluations (beginning of the study, at weeks 13 & 25 and 2 months after treatment ends): - Physical examination & blood draw. - Saliva collection done in two ways: 1) suctions cups connected to collection tubes are placed over the salivary gland ducts in the mouth and under the tongue; and 2) a sour-tasting liquid is applied to the top & sides of the tongue at 30-second intervals to stimulate saliva production. - Eye exam for tear gland function. - Questionnaires about mouth & eye dryness, energy level and overall well-being. - Lip biopsy (screening & week 13 visits only). A few minor salivary glands are removed for examination under a microscope. The lower lip is numbed, a small cut is made on the inside of the lip, and several glands are removed. The cut is closed with a few stitches that are removed after 5 to 7 days. - Magnetic resonance imaging of the parotid glands (salivary glands near the ear) at weeks 1, 13 and 25. The patient lies on a stretcher that is moved into the scanner (a metal cylinder containing a strong magnetic field). The head is held in place during the scan. The study lasts about 90 minutes. - Short evaluations at weeks 3, 5, 9, 15, 17, 21 and 1 month after treatment ends. - Medical history & physical examination, blood draw, evaluation for changes in symptoms and side effects, review of current medications at weeks 3, 9, 15 and 21. - Laboratory tests, evaluation for changes in symptoms and side effects, review of current medications, saliva collection without the sour liquid and short evaluation of tear production at weeks 5 and 17. - Blood tests at week 29