View clinical trials related to Spondylitis.
Filter by:This study will evaluate: 1) whether computed tomography (CT) scanning is better than regular x-rays for measuring changes in the stiffness, or fusion, of the spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis; and 2) if CT can be used to determine how fast extra bone forms in the spine of these patients. Better ways to measure spinal fusion are needed to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of medicines in slowing or stopping its progression. CT uses x-rays to provide detailed pictures of the inside of the body and are valuable for detecting spinal abnormalities because of the precision with which it can show these structures. For the procedure, the patient lies on a table that moves into a large, donut-shaped scanner that can move around the body to take pictures at different angles, which are viewed on a computer monitor. Patients 18 years of age and older with ankylosing spondylitis who are not currently taking or planning to receive treatment with anti-TNF alpha medications (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) for 1 year may be eligible for this study. Participants have eight clinic visits, scheduled at study entry and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 months, at the NIH Clinical Center for the following procedures: - Clinical assessment (all visits) - includes medical history and physical examination, measurement of spine flexibility with a tape measure and protractor, symptoms questionnaire - Blood tests for measures of inflammation, including red blood cell sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level (all visits) - Urine pregnancy test in women of child-bearing age (visits 1, 4, 7, 8) - X-rays of the pelvis, low back, and neck (visits 1, 4, 7) - X-ray of the low back (visit 8) - CT scan of the low back (visits 1, 4, 7) - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the low back (visits 1, 4) - MRI combines a powerful magnet with an advanced computer system and radio waves to produce accurate, detailed pictures of organs and tissues. The patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field, wearing earplugs to muffle loud noises that occur with electrical switching of the magnetic fields. He or she can speak with a staff member via an intercom system at all times during the procedure. During the scan, a contrast dye (gadolinium) is injected into the bloodstream through a catheter (plastic tube inserted in a vein) to brighten the images. In addition, participants will complete a symptoms questionnaire by mail every 4 months for 2 years between visits 7 and 8.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adalimumab 40 mg given every other week (eow) in subjects with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant to, treatment with at least 1 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and who may have also failed treatment with at least 1 disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints between the vertebrae of the spine and the joints between the spine and the pelvis. The purpose of this study is to collect information and blood samples from patients with AS and their relatives for use in genetic studies.
This study will explore how genes-units of heredity-may influence the severity of ankylosing spondylitis. It will examine whether some genes may cause people with ankylosing spondylitis to have more rapid fusion of the bones of the spine, more difficulty performing daily activities, or be more likely to need joint surgery. Patients who developed ankylosing spondylitis after age 16 and have had the disease for 20 years or more may be eligible for this study. The onset of disease is dated to the first appearance of symptoms of inflammatory low back pain or restricted spinal motion. Patients with a spondyloarthropathy other than AS may not enroll. Participants will complete a brief medical history and physical exam. They will fill out a 30-minute questionnaire that includes questions on demographics (such as age, ethnicity, marital status, etc.), medication history, work history, hip surgeries, and assessment of functional disability. Fifty milliliters (about 3-1/3 tablespoons) of blood will be drawn for gene testing, and X-rays will be taken of the pelvis, lower back, and neck, if recent X-rays (within 1 year) are not available. Women of childbearing age will have a urine pregnancy test before having X-rays.
This study will explore how genes may influence the severity of ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Patients have inflammation of the joints of the spine, which may cause the bones of the spine to fuse, resulting in difficulty performing daily activities. Patients who developed ankylosing spondylitis after age 16 may be eligible for this study. The onset of disease is dated to the first appearance of symptoms of inflammatory low back pain or restricted spinal motion. Patients with a spondyloarthropathy other than AS may not participate. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood test, and review of their medical records. They will also complete a questionnaire about their disease symptoms and medical history. Those enrolled in the study will return to the NIH Clinical Center at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60 months after screening for examination of the joints, measurement of flexibility of the spine, and a blood test. They will also complete symptoms assessment and coping questionnaires. At the first study visit (screening visit), x-rays will be taken of the pelvis, lower back, and neck, if recent X-rays (within 1 year) are not available. These x-ray studies will be repeated on all patients every two years during the study (at 24 and 48 months after screening).
OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the safety and efficacy of olsalazine, a dimer of 5-aminosalicylic acid, in men with ankylosing spondylitis unresponsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy.
The Division of Rheumatology at University of California San Francisco is conducting a research study on the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with a new therapy currently used for people with other forms of arthritis. The drug, called Enbrel (or etanercept), is a protein that is given twice weekly by injection underneath the skin. It blocks the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a substance that may be involved in AS, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. We will randomly assign patients to receive either the drug or a placebo (inactive treatment) for 4 months. The results we will monitor include morning stiffness, spinal mobility, activities of daily life, and safety of the drug.
People with rheumatic disorders (arthritis) often have trouble keeping their jobs. This study will look at whether vocational rehabilitation (VR) will improve the ability of employed people with arthritis to keep their jobs. Job retention VR services target key factors that increase the risk of job loss. They aim to modify jobs to reduce barriers caused by functional limitations and disease symptoms, future career planning, and establish a partnership with a VR counselor for ongoing help. We will conduct the study among patients with rheumatic disorders recruited in eastern Massachusetts. We will give 120 study participants job retention services provided by VR counselors. We will give another 120 participants literature about employment- related resources. We will compare the outcomes of the two groups to evaluate the usefulness of job retention services in preventing job loss in people with rheumatic disorders.