Active clinical trials for "Arthritis"

Many genes are thought to contribute to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study will attempt to identify genes that may contribute to RA.

This is a prospective, observational study designed to look at ultrasound images of the joint at baseline and over time, and investigate whether there is a correlation between ultrasound images and progression of disease. The researchers wish also to see if ultrasound can be used as a tool to predict progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis in patients with early disease who have not taken biologics therapy. In addition, the researchers wish to investigate whether peripheral blood "biomarkers"can be identified that predict the progression of erosive disease in early rheumatoid arthritis, with the intention of testing the most promising biomarkers in future clinical trials.

This research protocol will recruit patients with arthritis and related conditions for the purpose of screening patients for treatment protocols, and evaluating the natural history of arthritis and related conditions. Patients will be evaluated clinically, radiographically and serologically, and standardized data will be uniformly collected on all patients. Additional imaging using sensitive MRI methods will be obtained in some patients. The collected blood and tissue will be utilized for laboratory studies to continue research on the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune joint diseases. Data from the history and physical examination as well as several disability questionnaires in the adult and pediatric population will be used to phenotypically characterize these patients and assess outcome and functional status. Any medical care recommended or provided to the patients will be consistent with routine standards of practice and provided in consultation with the patient's referring physician.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a condition in which the lungs of a patient become scarred and fibrous. It has been known to occur in as many as 40% of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The cause of the pulmonary fibrosis in patients with RA is unknown. Data gathered from previous research studies suggest that genetics may play a role in the development of PF in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the actual genetic factors involved in the disease process have not been identified. The goal of this study is to identify the genetic markers in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

This study will evaluate patients with inflammatory forms of arthritis within the first year of onset. The study will attempt to clarify factors that may predict disease course such as evolution into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other chronic inflammatory arthropathies. Synovial biopsies and synovial fluid will be obtained to search for microbial agents and other initiating and modulating factors that may be most readily distinguished early in the disease and to determine the stage of disease at which certain immunologic and hormonal changes become evident. The study will also search for genetic and other features that may be associated with specific forms of inflammatory arthropathies that might predict the subsequent clinical disease course or response to different agents used in treatment of RA, Reiter's syndrome and other types of chronic inflammatory arthropathies.

This study will examine the genetic and immune factors involved in the cause and development of psoriatic arthritis-a disease of both the skin and joints. It will describe the medical features and natural course of the disease and determine participants' eligibility for experimental treatment protocols. Patients with known or suspected psoriatic arthritis 5 years of age and older and their relatives may enroll in this study. Patients will be evaluated with a medical history and physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood tests and X-rays. Additional procedures may include: Leukapheresis-Collection of white blood cells for genetic analysis. Whole blood is collected through a needle placed in an arm vein. The blood circulates through a machine that separates it into its components. The plasma is removed and the cells are returned to the body through a second needle placed in the other arm. Skin biopsy-Removal of a small skin sample for microscopic analysis. An area of skin is numbed with an anesthetic and one to three small circular portions (about 1/4 inch in diameter) are cut and removed. Joint aspiration-Removal of a small sample of synovial fluid (lubricating joint fluid). An area of skin around the biopsy site is numbed with an anesthetic, and a needle is inserted into the joint to pull out a small fluid sample. Synovial needle biopsy-Removal of a small sample of synovial tissue (tissue lining the joint). An area of skin around the biopsy site is numbed with an anesthetic and a large needle is inserted into the joint. A smaller needle attached to a syringe is then placed inside the larger needle and small pieces of synovial tissue are removed. Genetic studies-Saliva and blood samples will be collected for gene testing. Saliva is collected by rinsing the mouth with a tablespoon of salt water and spitting into a test tube. Patients will be followed once or twice a year and may be evaluated for participation in an experimental treatment study. Participating relatives of patients will fill out a brief medical history questionnaire and provide a DNA sample (blood sample or tissue swab from the inside of the cheek).

The aim of this study is to investigate the sonographic differences in entheses in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis and Axial Spondyloarthropathy.

Background The risk for hospitalized infection (i.e. infection leading to hospitalization) in patients with inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treated with biological drugs is known to be increased compared to the background population. In daily clinical practice, there is a need for a simple way to assess the absolute risk for hospitalized infection in individual patients based on easily available information such as age, diagnosis, functional status, comorbidities and medication. This risk estimate will be useful in clinical decision making e.g. when advising patients on whether or not to initiate biologic therapy or when advising patients on influenza or pneumococcal vaccination. Objectives The objectives are 1) to assess the risk for hospitalized infection (infection leading to hospitalization) in patients with inflammatory arthritis during 12 months of follow-up after initiating treatment with their first biological drug (bDMARD) with the risk in the general population, and 2) to develop a simple, clinically useful algorithm that allows prediction of the risk of hospitalized infection in individual patients. Methods Observational cohort study based on existing data in: The Danish Rheumatology Register (DANBIO), The Danish National Patient Register, The Danish National Prescription Register and The Danish Register of Causes of Death. All patients registered in DANBIO with RA, PsA or axSpA who initiated treatment with their first biological drug between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016 will be identified. Baseline predictors and outcomes (hospitalized infection or death) during 12 months of follow-up are obtained. Logistic regression analysis and 10-fold cross-validation will be used to develop and internally validate the prediction model.

Remission is nowadays an achievable objective for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients thanks to a large choice of therapies, early treatment and tight control (30% relapse). Ultrasound (US) driven-therapy, complemented with a clinico-biological follow-up, may improve the prognosis of RA in remission by increasing the duration of sustained remission and by preventing radiographic structural progression. The tested hypothesis is: The US coverage of RA allows to increase the duration of sustained clinical remission.

This non-interventional, descriptive, cross-sectional and multicenter study will examine the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis progressing for less than two years in the Algerian population. Current drug therapy as well as disease status and patient function will be assessed.