View clinical trials related to Connective Tissue Diseases.
Filter by:This will be a 36-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study comparing the effects of tadalafil monotherapy, ambrisentan monotherapy and combination therapy with tadalafil and ambrisentan in patients with PAH-SSc. Standard outcome measures such as six-minute walk distance (6MWD), NYHA classification, and hemodynamic measurements will be assessed, as well as novel functional measures of RV-PV function including the transthoracic echocardiogram parameter tricuspid annular plane systolic ejection (TAPSE), contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI and heart rate variability assessed by Holter monitoring. This design (excluding a placebo-placebo arm) was selected for ethical concerns and to provide optimal efficiency and active therapy to all study subjects. It also allows for comparisons between the two monotherapies and with combination therapy.
The primary objectives of this exploratory study are to evaluate the effects of bosentan on hemodynamics (via cardiac catheterization) during exercise in patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) who have abnormal hemodynamics during exercise but normal hemodynamics at rest. The authors hypothesize that early treatment may change the course of disease progression by improving hemodynamics during exercise, thus delaying disease progression.
This study will collect bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, skin and fat tissue from patients undergoing surgery at Children's National Medical Center in Washington,
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are long-term autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks parts of the body. The abnormal immune reaction causes inflammation of and damage to various body parts and can affect joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and the brain. SLE and MCTD often affect young women, especially black and Hispanic women, and there is no known cure. Knowing more about SLE and MCTD will help in developing new and effective treatments. The purpose of this study is to characterize immune system abnormalities, genetic components, and disease progression in people with SLE and MCTD.
To explore the hypothesis that leg ulcers are associated with hypercoagulable states, the CLUE study will evaluate patients with connective tissue disease associated leg ulcers, to identify risk factors (especially hypercoagulability and immunologic characteristics), characterize pathogenesis, predict response to therapy, and assess the impact of lower extremity ulcers on quality of life.
In Patients with rheumatic disease exercise training is a well established element of therapy. In contrast patients with severe pulmonary hypertension are advised to avoid physical exertion and must not perform exercise training. This study aims to evaluate the effectivity and safety of a low-dose training program in patients with pulmonary hypertension and rheumatic disease.
We propose to acquire data and blood samples on all patients being cared for by the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) program. Additionally, we will collect data and blood samples from a control group for comparator purposes. In doing so, we will be able to describe the "phenotypic" expression of these diseases.
This study will define the major genetic risk and protective factors for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), a group of immune disorders affecting connective tissues such as muscles. It will also identify new environmental risk factors for IIM and identify immune responses in myositis and related diseases. There are many forms of IIMs, and the causes of these diseases are unknown. However, scientists suspect that they result when people with some genetic factors that predispose them-that is, put them at greater risk-are exposed to certain environmental triggers. Some of those triggers include food, drugs, biologics (such as a vaccine to prevent disease), medical devices and occupational exposures. Patients, including children under 18, who had a diagnosis of myositis, a related autoimmune disease, or a rheumatic disease, as well as their blood relatives, and control subjects who were in good health have already been recruited for this study. The evaluation consisted of one outpatient visit to the patient's doctor, who will obtain a medical history and conduct a physician examination. Patients spent 20 to 30 minutes to answer written questions. There was a blood collection of about 6 tablespoons. If there was a major change in patients' medical conditions, they were asked to return for a second outpatient evaluation to determine whether any of the blood tests or antibodies, which show an immune response, had changed. Blood samples collected will be used only for laboratory research studies. The samples have been identified by a code, and all other identifying information have been removed. During the study, researchers will explore possible environmental risk factors, including studies of infectious and non-infectious agents. They will analyze the blood for genetic markers and test for certain antibodies. Laboratory results will be evaluated as they relate to the signs, symptoms, and severity of patients' illnesses. That would help researchers to better understand patterns of the diseases and the outcomes for patients. This study will not have a direct benefit for patients. However, results from the study can be made available to patients' doctors for use in appropriate care. Also, it is hoped that information gained can help other people in the future.
Background: - Heritable disorders of connective tissue are genetic conditions that can affect the skin and other parts of the body. They are related to mutations in genes that are responsible for building tissues. The symptoms differ among disorders. Researchers want to study which genes may be responsible for different disorders. They will be performing a long-term (up to 10 years) study and a study that requires a single visit. These studies will look at how these disorders affect the body and what genes may cause these conditions. Objectives: - To perform one-time and long-term studies of people who have heritable disorders of connective tissue. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 2 years of age who have or may have a heritable disorder of connective tissue. Design: - Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood samples. - Participants will be on one of two parts of this study. The longitudinal arm will require long-term study over about 10 years. The mutational analysis arm will involve a single visit. - Longitudinal arm participants must be at least 12 years of age. They will have study visits at regular intervals for up to 10 years. The tests given at these visits may include all or some of the following: - Blood, saliva, urine, and skin samples - Heart and lung function tests - Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the neck, chest, spine, and abdomen - Other imaging studies such as x-rays, bone density scans, and ultrasounds - Questionnaires about sleep, pain, and quality of life - Photographs of affected areas. - Mutational analysis arm participants will have a single study visit. They will provide blood and saliva samples. They will provide tissue from a skin biopsy. They will also let the researchers take photos of any affected body parts. They will complete questionnaires about sleep, pain, and quality of life.
To assess the onset of action of linezolid