View clinical trials related to Sjogren's Syndrome.
Filter by: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.
The purpose of this study is to exploratively investigate the clinical efficacy of rebamipide on dry mouth in patients with Sjögren's syndrome in comparison with placebo.
The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab in treating patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Rituximab is a laboratory-made antibody currently used to treat some kinds of lymphoma. Rituximab may also help people with SS, a disease of the immune system. However, the safety of rituximab in SS patients must first be established.
Women with lupus and other related disorders produce certain antibodies in the blood. Some women have these antibodies even if they have not yet developed symptoms of lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. When these women become pregnant, they may pass the antibodies to their infants. The infants may then develop a disease called neonatal lupus. The symptoms of neonatal lupus include an abnormally slow heart beat (heart block) and a skin rash. This registry collects information on women and infants affected by neonatal lupus as well as other family members who may be healthy.
A six-month clinical research trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an investigational medication for the treatment of dry eye syndrome in patients that have been diagnosed with moderate to severe dry eye syndrome, an autoimmune disorder AND/OR females 65 years of age or older.
This study will examine whether transplanted stem cells can turn into salivary gland cells in stem cell recipients. If so, stem cells might be used to restore salivary gland function in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and other causes of dry mouth. People with severe dry mouth may develop difficulty swallowing, severe tooth decay, infections of the mouth and pharynx, and mouth sores. Female patients 18 years of age and older who are enrolled in the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's protocol 97-H-009 or 97-H-0202 and who have received a stem cell transplant from a male donor may be eligible for this study. Five patients with graft-versus host disease (GVHD) and five without GVHD will be included. GVHD is a transplantation reaction in which the donor's cells mount an immune response against the recipient's tissues. Patients with chronic GVHD have mouth ulcerations and dry mouth similar to that of patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Five healthy female volunteers will also be enrolled. Participants will have a medical and dental history. Then, cells will be collected from the inside of the cheek (buccal cell scraping) and from the salivary glands (labial gland biopsy) as described below: Buccal cell scraping - Cells are collected from the inside of the cheek by wiping for 5 seconds with a plastic brush. Labial glands biopsy - The lower lip will be numbed and a small incision will be made on the inside of the lower lip. Six small salivary glands in the lower lip will be removed and the incision will be closed with four stitches. Cells collected from these procedures will be examined to see if donated stem cells turned into salivary gland or cheek cells. Patients will return to the clinic 5 to 10 days after the biopsy to have the stitches removed and assess healing.
This study will test the effectiveness of etanercept (Enbrel) for treating Sjogren's syndrome-an autoimmune disease that affects the secreting glands. (In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.) Reduced lacrimal (tear) gland function causes dry eyes with a scratchy sensation, and, in severe cases, vision be may impaired. Reduced salivary gland function causes dry mouth, resulting in greatly increased tooth decay. Dry mouth also makes chewing and swallowing difficult, which may lead to nutrition deficiencies. Sjogren's syndrome can also cause dryness of the skin and of mucous membranes in the nose, throat, airways, and vagina. Patients with Sjogren's syndrome who have had oral and eye examinations under NIDCR's protocol 84-D-0056 may participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either etanercept or placebo (an inactive look-alike substance) by injection under the skin twice a week for 3 months. Patients will be seen for evaluation before treatment begins (baseline) and again at 1, 3, and 4 months. The baseline and 3-month visits include a physical examination, eye examination, saliva collection from salivary glands, blood tests, and evaluation for changes in symptoms and treatment side effects. The 1- and 4-month visits include saliva collection, blood tests, and review of symptoms and treatment side effects. In addition, blood will be drawn every 2 weeks for safety monitoring. Patients will also be surveyed weekly (by telephone or during the clinic visit) about symptoms and treatment side effects. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Enbrel for treating certain forms of arthritis, which, like Sjogren's syndrome, are autoimmune disorders of the connective tissue. Laboratory studies also indicate that etanercept may be an effective treatment for Sjogren's syndrome.
This study aims to learn more about how the immune and hormonal systems function in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, a disease in which the immune system does not function properly. Adult nonpregnant females are invited to participate. Oral contraceptives may not be taken for 6 weeks before and during this study, so another form of birth control must be used, such as abstinence. There will be two visits. At the first visit, a medical history and physical examination will be conducted, and blood and urine tests will be done. The total amount of blood drawn will be 10 tablespoons. This visit will last 3 hours. At the second visit, participants will have an oral glucose tolerance test. To prepare for it, they must be on a special diet for 3 days beforehand and keep a diary of eating, sleeping, and physical activities for those 3 days. A urine sample will be taken at the beginning of the visit. Subjects must then drink a very sweet carbonated cola. A small plastic tube will be placed into an arm vein. Blood will be drawn through this tube eight times over 3 hours. The total amount of blood drawn will be 17 tablespoons. Only minor inconveniences are anticipated as a result of participating in this study. Risks from blood tests include soreness, bruising, and minor infection at the puncture site, and dizziness. The oral glucose tolerance test may cause temporary stomach bloating, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
This study will follow patients with salivary gland dysfunction to identify the long-term course of this disorder and its effects on the mouth, oral function, and overall health. Saliva is important in maintaining oral health and comfort. It moistens the mouth, lubricates food for easier swallowing, provides enzymes needed to begin the digestive process and promotes repair and cleansing of soft tissues of the mouth. Decreased salivary production or changes in salivary composition may affect oral and systemic health and cause an increase in tooth decay. Patients 4 years of age and older with dry mouth symptoms and a diagnosis of primary, secondary or incomplete Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s syndrome or salivary gland dysfunction due to radiation may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a complete medical and dental history and blood and saliva tests. Some patients will have a biopsy of the minor salivary glands, usually from the lower lip, to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s syndrome and determine the extent of changes in the salivary glands. (A biopsy is the surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.) The ability to taste and smell may also be evaluated, and patients may have an ultrasound examination of their swallowing function. Participants will have a general oral examination of the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth, general physical examination, eye examination and blood tests and will fill out a questionnaire on oral health and function. In addition, they will have the following tests and procedures: - Identification of possible fungal infection Patients rinse their mouth with 2 teaspoons of a salt-water solution and spit it in a sterile container for laboratory examination. If a fungal infection is detected, treatment will be offered. - Unstimulated salivary function assessment Saliva production is measured by collecting saliva samples through small suction cups connected to collection tubes over the salivary gland ducts in the mouth. - Stimulated salivary function assessment A sour-tasting liquid (2% citric acid) is applied to the top and sides of the tongue at 30-second intervals to stimulation saliva production while saliva is collected using the procedure described above. - Identification of markers of precancerous lesions The salivary gland biopsy done at the screening evaluation (or from outside sources) is examined for markers of precancerous lesions, as about 5 percent of patients with Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren's syndrome develop a tumor called Non-Hodgkin s lymphoma. In some cases, the minor salivary glands may be re-biopsied a few years after the screening biopsy. Patients will be followed once a year with a comprehensive history and physical examination, eye examination, full oral examination, salivary function assessment and questionnaires about signs and symptoms of salivary gland dysfunction.
This study will examine whether cyclosporin A eye drops alleviate dry eye syndrome, a disorder of tear deficiency or excessive tear evaporation. The condition damages the surface of the eye and causes discomfort. Age-related dry eye syndrome may result from a problem with the immune system in which cells called lymphocytes infiltrate the tear glands and cause a chronic, progressive inflammatory process. Previous studies suggest that cyclosporin A may increase tear production or decrease inflammation on the surface of the eye, or both, improving dry eye symptoms. Patients in the study will undergo a complete eye examination, and a small tear sample will be collected to study tear consistency and composition. A small amount of conjunctiva (the clear, thin covering of the eye lining the eyelids and eyeball) will be removed to study substances in it that might provide information on what causes dry eye. A blood sample also will be taken to look for antibodies found in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, a disorder characterized by dryness of the mouth, eyes and other mucous membranes. Patients will also fill out forms providing information on the extent to which their dry eyes bother them. Patients will be randomly divided into two treatment groups: one will take a cyclosporin 0.1% eye drop emulsion; the other will take the emulsion vehicle alone-that is, the same drops but without the active ingredient cyclosporin. Both groups will take one drop in each eye 4 times a day for 2 months. Neither the patients nor the doctors will know which patients are receiving which medication until the study ends. All patients will also be given artificial teardrops to use for comfort if needed.