Active clinical trials for "Scleroderma, Diffuse"

The purpose of this study is to determine whether transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) alters systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related colonic and anorectal physiology by enhancing autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. The study will examine the effects of TEA on slow colonic transit (SCT) and rectal hyposensitivity (RH), to examine whether TEA improves autonomic dysfunction and modulates inflammatory pathways.

To define a target value of AUC MPA to improve the modified Rodnan score and / or respiratory impairment (DLCO or FVC) at one year in patients receiving MMF for the treatment of diffuse cutaneous or interstitial lung damage of systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex multisystem rheumatic autoimmune disease. Currently, evidence based guidelines for frequency and intensity of follow-up of SSc patients are not available. Based on expert consensus annual extensive evaluation is recommended. To provide comprehensive multidisciplinary care integrated with evaluation of organ involvement and as such, reducing health care utilization while improving the quality of care for the patient, the "Leiden Combined Care in SSc (CCISS) pathway" was started in 2009. Data collected on disease progression in the patients that participate in this care pathway show that 50% of the patients have relatively mild disease, without any disease progression over time. Therefore there is a need for tailor made care in SSc patients in accordance to disease activity. To enable this, a prediction model was developed that can identify patients with low risk for disease progression.

A complex interaction between demographic, environmental and genetic mechanisms impact the onset, severity and outcome of ILD-SARDs through dysregulation of the immune system and lung pro-biotic pathways. Comorbidity and genetic risk indicate that there are overlapping pathogenic mechanisms among SARDs, some of which underlie ILD in different SARDs. The purpose of this biobank is to study the clinical, pathological, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of SARDs patients with lung involvement. This will help identify as unique features underlying lung involvement in SARDs. In addition, this may lead to the discovery of novel mechanisms of disease and potentially novel targets of treatment for SARDs patients with lung disease.

This study investigates the efficacy and safety of belimumab compared to placebo, in addition to standard therapy, for the treatment of participants with systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). The study will evaluate the effect of belimumab treatment on lung function as well as on extra-pulmonary disease manifestations, including skin thickening and general symptoms, such as fatigue, that impact quality of life (QoL).

Leap Motion Based Gamefication Exercises in the Individuals With Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease characterized primarily by fibrosis and vascular involvement. We know that the immune system is disrupted in systemic sclerosis, but there are probably other mechanisms to explain the disease, including deregulation of certain proteins such as prolactin

The effects of exercises performed by telerehabilitation on individuals with hand-affected scleroderma on range of motion, grip strength, function, sensation, daily life activities and general health will be compared with the effects of traditional physiotherapy practices.

Today, the study of gut microbiota has taken a prominent place in several fields of medical research. Numerous experimental data in humans and animals suggest that an imbalance in the composition of the microbiota could contribute to the pathophysiology of systemic autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Sclerosis (SCS). A future exploration of the microbiota, a source of diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers, may be very useful for tomorrow's medicine by proposing therapeutic interventions based on the correction of possible imbalances in the intestinal flora. Studies of the human gut microbiota in patients with ScS are limited to low-impact investigations, due to the lack of data on the clinical and biological characterization of the patients studied, and to the absence of longitudinal studies in the same patient. For this reason, we are interested in exploring the intestinal microbiota of ScS patients in a comprehensive and longitudinal way.

Innate T cells (ITC) are decreased in systemic sclerosis (SS) and an early lymphocyte innateness has been reported. In the other part, ITC are implicated on inflammatory process, including the IL-33/ST2 axis, which is also involved in ScS endotheliopathy. Data are however scarce and physiopathological mechanisms have not been assessed to date. The investigators hypothesize a global lymphocyte innateness in SSc, linked to a chronic ITC stimulation by innate signals leading to ITC exhaustion, and their potential role in endotheliopathy and fibroblast activation in SSc.