Active clinical trials for "Connective Tissue Diseases"

The purposes of this study are to identify the genes responsible for inherited connective tissue disorders and learn about the range of medical problems they cause. It will investigate whether specific gene changes cause specific medical problems and will establish diagnostic criteria (signs and symptoms) for the individual syndromes. Children and adults with a known or suspected inherited connective tissue disorder (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos or Stickler syndrome, or other closely related disorders) and their family members may be eligible for this study. Patients enrolled in the study will have a medical history, physical examination and blood tests, as well as other procedures that may include: Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) X-rays and other imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans Lung function studies Urine tests Skin biopsy (removal of a small piece of tissue, under local anesthetic, for microscopic examination) Examination by various specialists (e.g., in ophthalmology, gastroenterology, rehabilitation medicine) as needed Questionnaires regarding chronic pain and fatigue, quality of life, and the impact of the connective tissue disorder on the patient and family. (Patients who wish to enroll but cannot travel to NIH may have a more limited participation, including review of medical records, telephone interview regarding personal and family history, and collection of a specimen (blood, skin biopsy, or other) for genetic testing. Patients will be notified of genetic testing results that show a change responsible for their connective tissue disorder. If they wish, the information will also be sent to their local health care provider, along with recommendations for additional tests or treatment options. No treatment is offered as part of this study. Participating family members who do not themselves have a connective tissue disorder will provide a small blood sample for gene testing and be interviewed by telephone about their personal and family health history. Those whose blood test results show a gene change associated with a connective tissue disorder will be invited to NIH for a discussion of the findings or referred to a genetic center in their area.

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.

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. ...

The study serves the identification of early forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in connective tissue disease and the hemodynamic follow-up of the investigated patients. The basic hypothesis is that PAH may start with a remodeling of small pulmonary arteries, which leads to a stiffening of the vessels, indicated by the inability to vasodilatation and thus a disproportional increase in pulmonary pressure during exercise. Recent studies have shown that a proportion of such patients may develop manifest PAH within a few years. The early identification of these patients and the understanding of the natural course of the disease may improve prognosis. The aim of the present study is to investigate hemodynamic and clinical changes in patients with connective tissue disease in a time interval of 3-5 years with a focus on the development of pulmonary hypertension.

This study will collect bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, skin and fat tissue from patients undergoing surgery at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, ...

This study is to determine the relevancy of clinical scales for outcome measures as compared to flexion angle and other gait measures. Clinical outcomes measures in the form of the Knee Society Score and the WOMAC Score will be obtained from patients. Gait data will also be obtained from total knee replacement (TKR) patients at pre-operative and post-operative times. Gait data will be measured on unaffected normal controls as a second baseline. The hypothesis is that the subjects clinical outcome measures do not accurately reflect gait dependent outcomes amd functional performance of the total knee replacement.

This study offers evaluation and treatment of patients with a suspected connective tissue disorder. The protocol is not designed to test new treatments; rather, patients receive standard care. The study is designed to: 1) allow NICHD's staff to learn more about connective tissue disorders, 2) train physicians in the evaluation and treatment of these disorders; and 3) establish a pool of patients who may be eligible for other NICHD protocols for connective tissue disorders. (Participants in this protocol will not be required to join another study; the decision will be voluntary.) Patients of all ages with a suspected connective tissue disorder and their unaffected family members may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo diagnostic procedures that may include a medical history, physical examination, X-ray studies, eye examinations, and blood drawing, as well as other specialized tests, when needed. Additional tests may include: Blood test for DNA genetic analysis Skin biopsy: Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination. The area of skin selected for the biopsy is numbed and a small circle of skin, usually from the upper arm, is removed with a surgical cookie cutter-like instrument. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissues. The patient lies on a table that slides into a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field. Ear plugs are worn to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur with electrical switching of the magnetic fields. Computed tomography (CT) scans: This test allows the doctor to view the organs inside the body in small sections. The patient lies in a doughnut-like machine. Scanning can be done from different angles, allowing a three dimensional picture of the part of the body being studied. It may be done with or without injection of a contrast material. Referral to appropriate sub-specialists when potential complications are found.

Measuring the incidence and prevalence of PAH in Egyptian patients with different types of MCD Determination of survival & the risk factors of mortality.

30 months, multicentre, prospective observational study on adult (>18 years) patients with a diagnosis of rare and complex connective tissue diseases (rCTDs) who will be given the vaccine during the period from January 2021 and January 2022. Patients with the following diagnosis will be included: antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), IgG4-related disease (IgG4), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), relapsing polychondritis (RP), Sjogren's syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD)

Development of a new MS-based biomarker for the early and sensitive diagnosis of Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome from the blood