View clinical trials related to Collagen Diseases.
Filter by:To compare the health related quality of life of patients with systemic sclerosis with other rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome.
Introduction: The medical treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases has improved dramatically during the last decades primarily due to the introduction of biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). However, bDMARD treatment failure occurs in 30-40% of patients due to lack of effectiveness or side effects. The tools to predict treatment outcomes in the individual patient are currently limited. The objective of the present study is to identify diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers, which can be used to 1) diagnose inflammatory rheumatic diseases early in the disease course with high specificity and sensitivity, 2) improve prognostication or 3) predict treatment effectiveness and tolerability for the individual patient. Methods and analysis: Observational and translational open cohort study with prospective collection of clinical data and biological materials in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated in routine care. Patients contribute one cross-sectional blood sample (i.e. whole blood, serum, EDTA-plasma and -buffy coat, and blood in PAXgene RNA tubes) and/or are enrolled for longitudinal follow-up upon start of new DMARD (blood sampling after 0/3/6/12/24/36/48/60 months' treatment). Demographics, disease characteristics, comorbidities and lifestyle factors are registered at inclusion; DMARD treatment and outcomes are collected repeatedly during follow-up. Currently (June 2017) >5,000 samples from ≈3,000 patients have been collected. Data will be analysed using appropriate statistical analyses. Ethics and dissemination: The protocol is approved by the Danish Ethics Committee and The Danish Data Protection Agency. All participants give written informed consent. Biomarkers will be evaluated and published according to REMARK, STROBE and STARD guidelines. Results will be published in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at international conferences.
Glucocorticoids remain to be among the most important and most frequently used anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive or immune-modulatory acting drugs to treat rheumatic (and other) diseases. Unfortunately, glucocorticoids also exert undesired effects, especially if higher dosages have to be given over longer periods of time. The available data describing frequency and severity of these adverse effects are fragmentary. This statement is especially true for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in the context of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases or (in part) psoriasis(arthritis). The state of knowledge and scientific data, being sparse, is partly conflicting and often derived from over-aged projects or studies. Therefore, there are urgent needs to work on various current questions systematically and at the highest scientific level possible. In order to address these needs, we aim at collecting and analyzing disease- and bone-related data from patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases or psoriasis and therapy with glucocorticoids, and to build a respective GIOP-Databank. Patients will attend for diagnostics, and where necessary therapy and follow-up of GIOP, according to current guidelines. Clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination results from more than 1000 patients in the first three years of the project are planned to be documented in a prospective database.
Background: - The rare disease melorheostosis causes bones to thicken. This may lead to pain, and can affect bones, joints, and muscles. Researchers want to learn more about the disease and how it progresses. Objective: -To see what happens to people with melorheostosis over time and understand the causes of the disease. Eligibility: - People 18 and over with melorheostosis. - Their unaffected relatives. Design: - All participants will have a medical history and physical exam. - Participants who are relatives will give samples of blood or cheek cells. - Other participants will be in the study for about 1 week. - They will have blood and urine collected. - Strength, walking, and range of motion will be measured. - Participants may also have - X-rays and scans. - A pain and neurological evaluation. - Their skin evaluated by a dermatologist. - A small sample of bone taken. - Nerve conduction studies. Small electrodes with to wires will be put on the skin. A metal probe will give a small electrical shock. - Electromyography. A thin needle will be placed into the muscles. - An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to examine the muscles and nerves. An ultrasound probe will be placed over the skin. - A bone scan. They will get a small amount of radioactive fluid through a needle in an arm vein. This fluid travels to the bones. The bones will be photographed in a machine. - Bone Densitometry, a low-level x-ray. - Photographs taken. - A small circle of skin removed with a surgical instrument. - Questionnaires about their quality of life. - Participants will be asked to return about every 2 years. At these visits, participants may have blood and urine tests and x-rays.
Neutrophils emerge as key immune cells in the initiation and perpetuation of immune responses in autoimmune diseases. They display marked abnormalities in phenotype and function in various autoimmune diseases, including systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These neutrophils are characterised by an extended life span, increased capacity to produce reactive oxygen species, active gene expression and release of extracellular traps. Consequently, there is a need for better understanding of neutrophil phenotype and functions in these conditions, as well as for identifying molecules capable of specifically manipulating neutrophil function. The investigators have recently discovered that interferon lambdas (IFN-λs), also known as interleukin 28 (IL28) and interleukin 29 (IL29), class II cytokines with previously studied anti-viral biological functions, specifically suppress neutrophil infiltration and interleukin-1β production and thereby, halt and reverse the development of collagen induced arthritis (CIA). The investigators propose to further investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this suppression and examine the translational potential of the investigators' finding by examining the IFN-λ receptor expression and function in neutrophils isolated from the blood of healthy donors and rheumatic patients (early rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis).
Continuation of the CARRA Registry as described in the protocol will support data collection on patients with pediatric-onset rheumatic diseases. The CARRA Registry will form the basis for future CARRA studies. In particular, this observational registry will be used to answer pressing questions about therapeutics used to treat pediatric rheumatic diseases, including safety questions.
This study will explore the causes of rheumatic diseases and why many of them affect certain minority communities more severely. Rheumatic diseases may cause joint pain, stiffness or swelling. Some can involve bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments. Some cause abnormalities of the immune system the body s defense against disease. Some rheumatic diseases are painful or deforming and some can be life threatening. Information obtained from this study will be used to learn about the disparities in rheumatic disease in the minority community and to design further, more targeted, research studies to address this issue. Patients with known or suspected rheumatic disease 18 years of age or older may be eligible for this study. Candidates will undergo a medical history and physical examination to confirm the diagnosis of rheumatic disease and determine what is needed for evaluation and treatment. Participants will receive standard medical care for rheumatic disease and arthritis. No experimental treatments, medications or procedures will be included in this study. Procedures may include routine blood tests for blood chemistries, cell counts, and antibodies commonly found in patients with rheumatic disease; a urine test for proteins and cells; and X-rays and other imaging tests to check for abnormalities in the lungs or other organs. All medical information will be kept confidential. Patients who are found to be eligible for other current NIH research studies will be offered an opportunity to participate in these studies.