A Study to Evaluate VIB7734 in Participants With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus...
Systemic Lupus ErythematosusCutaneous Lupus Erythematosus4 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating, multiple subcutaneous (SC) doses of VIB7734 in participants with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE), Sjogren's Syndrome, Systemic Sclerosis, Polymyositis, and Dermatomyositis.
Apollo Device for Fatigue in Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisFatigue1 moreThe purpose of this study is to learn about the effect of Apollo (a vibrating wearable about the side of an Apple Watch) on fatigue, Raynaud symptoms, depression, quality of life, and disease symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis. SSc patients frequently have fatigue as a characteristic feature of their disease and fatigue negatively impacts quality of life (Haythornthwaite 2003, Richards 2003, Suarez-Almazor 2007, Basta 2017). The prevalence of fatigue among SSc patients is 75%, with 61% ranking fatigue among their top three most distressing complaints. Fatigue is also associated with poor sleep quality, greater pain and depressive symptoms (Sandusky 2009). We hypothesize that treatment with Apollo over 1 month will improve fatigue. If successful, the Apollo technology will be the first treatment option for fatigue and Raynaud's in this population.
Effect of Ozone Therapy for the Treatment of Digital Ulcer in Patients With SSc
Systemic SclerosisFunctionality in patients with SSc? Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic connective tissue disease characterized by microvascular involvement, immunological dysfunction, extracellular matrix deposition in the skin and internal organ involvement. Vascular disease has an important role in the pathogenesis of SSc. Especially as a result of involvement of micro-vessel and digital arteries, digital ulcer (DU) formation may be seen. DUs are responsible for pain, poor quality of life, impairment of life activities and morbidity in patients with SSc. , they are correlated to disease severity and outcome. Approximately half of SSc patients have DU during the course of the disease. Recurrent DU is observed in 10% of the patients. In 75% of these patients, DU occurs 5 years after diagnosis. Patients with anti-SCL 70+ develop DU 5 years earlier than those with anti-centromere positive. The development of DU may take a long time to heal if there is underlying calcinosis. In a study, it was seen that the recovery of DU was 93.6 days if there is underlying calcinosis, and 76.2 days if not. DUs can be infected and thus complicated by osteomyelitis. In a retrospective study, it was reported that 42% of infected DUs were associated with osteomyelitis. DU management is a great challenge for the clinician and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Ozone has a place in medical use since the 19th century, as it is an oxidant and disinfectant. In recent studies, it has been reported to be antiviral and bactericidal. Therefore, it has indications such as coronary artery disease, chronic hepatitis and chronic low back pain. It has also been shown to have a positive role in trophic ulcer, ischemic ulcer and diabetic ulcer healing. The mechanism by which ozone therapy provides wound healing is not fully understood. In addition, it improves microcirculation in the capillary vessels by improving flexibility and stability of the cell membrane and limiting the aggregation and adhesion of platelets. In the literature, it was stated in a study that ozone therapy was effective for the treatment of DU in SSc patients. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of ozone therapy on patients who are resistant to medical treatment and who have impaired quality of life for a long time.
The Effects of Botulinum Toxin on Oral Aperture in Patients With Scleroderma
SclerodermaThis study will evaluate the use of botulinum toxin for microstomia (also known as reduced oral aperture) in scleroderma patients. Botox is a neurotoxin that functions as a paralytic by preventing the release of acetylcholine to inhibit muscle contracture and decrease fibrosis by decreasing differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, decreasing expression of collagen, and increasing expression of matrix metalloproteinase1-3. The study will include three arms: the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) group who will receive injections of Botox to the masseter, the perioral group who will receive injections of Botox around the lips, and a control group who will receive no treatment for ROA. Outcome measurements will include measurement of oral aperture size through measurement inter-labial distance and between the upper and lower lips and the inter-incisal distance, patient satisfaction via a Skindex16 survey, mouth disability via the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis Scale (MHISS), and patient and physician satisfaction using the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). The maximum number of subjects to be consented for this study is 30. The study is expected to last four months per subject from time of consent to last clinical evaluation. Conditions that may result in a subject exiting the study prior to completion date include non-compliance, withdrawal of consent, or safety concerns such as adverse events as a result of treatment.
Effects of Intensive Aerobic and Muscle Endurance Exercise in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis -...
Systemic SclerosisThe hypothesis is that intensive aerobic and endurance muscle training is safe and beneficial in patients with systemic sclerosis and concurrent interstitial lung disease. The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of an eight week intensive aerobic exercise and muscle endurance training program for patients with systemic sclerosis and 50-100 % of forced vital capacity. A single subject experimental design with repeated systematic measures during a six week A-phase (baseline period) and an eight week B-phase (intervention period) was used. Physical capacity (six minute walk test), aerobic capacity (submaximal treadmill test) and muscle endurance in shoulder and hip flexion (Functional Index 2) are assessed every other week throughout the 14 week study. Activity limitation (Health Assessment Questionnaire), quality of life (Short Form 36), Raynaud, Fatigue and Global Health during the recent week (Visual Analogue Scales) are assessed at weeks 0, 6, 14. The exercise program includes aerobic exercise corresponding to 15 on the Borg RPE scale (strenuous) and muscular endurance training three times/week.
A Clinical Trial of Ambrisentan and Tadalafil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated With...
Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionSystemic Sclerosis3 moreThis will be a 36-week, single group, open label study assessing the effects of Tadalafil plus Ambrisentan combination therapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with the scleroderma spectrum of disease (PAH-SSD). Standard outcome measures such as six-minute walk distance (6MWD), New York heart Association (NYHA) classification, and hemodynamic measurements will be assessed, as well as novel functional measures of RV-PV function including the transthoracic echocardiogram parameter tricuspid annular plane systolic ejection (TAPSE), contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI and heart rate variability assessed by Holter monitoring. This design (excluding a placebo arm) was selected for ethical concerns and to provide optimal efficiency and active therapy to all study subjects. It also allows for comparisons between the two monotherapies and with combination therapy.
Effect of Rosuvastatin on Systemic Sclerosis-related Pulmonary Hypertension
Systemic SclerosisAlthough the aetiology of SSc-PAH remains elusive, vascular dysfunction seems to be the initial event and statins through their vasculoprotective effect might be of value in the treatment armamentarium of PAH related to SSc. The aim was to assess the efficacy of rosuvastatin in ameliorating vascular dysfunction and in the management of SSc-related PAH.
Nilotinib in the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisA phase IIa open-label single center pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of Nilotinib in patients with Scleroderma.
Pharmacokinetics of Oral Treprostinil in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisThis study will assess the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of treprostinil following fixed and escalating doses of treprostinil diethanolamine SR tablets. Open-label, two-part study assessing the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of oral treprostinil diethanolamine SR. Cohort 1: single 1 mg treprostinil diethanolamine SR dose. Cohort 2: escalating doses of treprostinil diethanolamine SR up to a target dose of 4 mg BID.
Early Therapy of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary HypertensionSystemic SclerosisExercise-induced increase of the pulmonary arterial pressure may be an early sign of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It has been shown that patients with normal pulmonary arterial pressure at rest but elevated pulmonary arterial pressure during exercise have a decreased exercise-capacity and may have a worse prognosis compared to patients with normal pulmonary arterial pressure values at rest and during exercise. According to the currently used definition pulmonary hypertension can be diagnosed if the mean pulmonary arterial pressure is higher than 25mmHg at rest or 30mmHg during exercise. In this study patients with a risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension (connective tissue disease) and increased pulmonary arterial pressure values during exercise are receiving a therapy with a dual endothelin receptor antagonist - bosentan, a therapy established for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The therapy effect is than compared to the recorded changes before the introduction of this therapy.