Active clinical trials for "Arthritis"

In this trial different parts of the pain signalling system involved in two rheumatic diseases - painful hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, is examined. These measurements will be compared to those of healthy volunteers The hypothesis is that patients with hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis react differently to painful and non-painful stimuli compared with the healthy volunteers. The aim is to recruit 66 patients with painful hand-osteoarthritis, 66 patients with painful psoriatic arthritis and 66 healthy subjects not currently suffering from any pain conditions. After completing an informed consent form subjects will participate in a single clinical visit. The pain signalling system is examined using pressure algometry and cuff algometry. A pressure algometer is a pistol shaped device that elicits pressure through a rod and a cuff algometer is akin to a blood pressure cuff. Different thresholds will be measured, such as when the sensation of pressure becomes painful and when the painful pressure becomes unbearable. Participants will also get hand strength tested, have their joints examined and answer questionnaires regarding daily function and quality of life. Furthermore participants will get blood drawn which is analysed for the presence of markers of inflammation and joint degeneration.

It is aimed to objectively demonstrate and compare the effectiveness of aerobic and resistant exercises performed on female patients with rheumatoid arthritis with sonographic muscle measurements. In addition, it is planned to compare the effects of 2 group exercises on functional status, quality of life and body composition and to show its correlation with sonographic measurements. There are 3 groups in total in the study. These are the control group given only the range of motion exercise, the second group given the range of motion and resistance exercise, and the third group given the range of motion and aerobic exercise. Exercise programs will last 12 weeks and it is planned to exercise 3 days a week.

Primary objective of the study is to establish a 3-way PK similarity bridge between MabionCD20 (candidate biosimilar to rituximab), MabThera® (EU-sourced rituximab) and Rituxan® (US-sourced rituximab) following the administration of these drugs to patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis. Main secondary objective is to confirm therapeutic similarity between MabionCD20 and the reference rituximab.

This quality improvement project is aimed at improving health care by identifying low cost strategies to get Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients to more effectively communicate with their physicians about osteoporosis prevention and treatment (improving doctor-patient communication). The investigators will implement a direct to patient intervention to the population of interest (patients on chronic glucocorticoids) via story-telling, using an Internet based video. The target audience is people on chronic glucocorticoids not already receiving bones-specific osteoporosis medications to determine differences in post-intervention rates of osteoporosis care, and the rates of prescription anti-osteoporosis therapies.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease often leading to progressive joint destruction. To prevent disability caused by inflamed joints early diagnosis is important. Early diagnosis might be a challenge because the diagnosis is mostly based on clinical signs like swelling of small joints. In clinical practice a therapy with prednisolone is started although the patients do not have an exact diagnosis. In this cases the prednisolone might serve as a diagnostic test for an inflammatory process. The objective of this study is to investigate the diagnostic value of oral prednisolone test for rheumatoid arthritis.

This study is a comparison of safety and efficacy of two etanercept regimens (REUMATOCEPT® versus ENBREL®) for treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The investigators intend to check whether the efficacy of a TBE-vaccine is substantially deteriorated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are treated with drugs which suppress the immune system. The investigators aim to detect a difference of at least 10 % compared to healthy individuals (historical controls) in protection when analysed with serology. If the investigators detect a difference, the investigators will continue to explore whether protection can be achieved by additional doses

This study was to investigate the efficacy of oral monthly ibandronate in the management of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Joint spaces are aseptic areas, meaning that they do not contain microorganisms. Any injury to the joint space could cause the entry of microorganisms, with the potential to cause infection. Septic arthritis refers to the infection of a joint space with microorganisms, usually bacteria. This invasion initiates a process of inflammation and causes irreversible damage to a joint cavity. Patients typically present with pain, swelling, decreased motion, and inability to use the joint. When bacteria enter a joint space, the host immune system responds by concentrating inflammatory cells within the joint. While inflammatory cells serve to eliminate the bacteria, they also produce substances that not only attack bacteria but also could destroy the joint space. These substances are called enzymes, and they could damage the cartilage (translucent fairly elastic tissue around the joint) and adjacent bone in the process. Because cartilage has a poor ability to cure itself, this process may lead to irreversible damage and chronic joint dysfunction. Studies have found that signs of early joint damage can be found within hours following joint infection. This is true even if antibiotic therapy (medicine to fight the infection) is started within 24 hours of infection. Also, delay in treatment has been related to poor outcome. However, the best method of treating septic arthritis has yet to be determined. Currently, there are two accepted ways for treating septic arthritis: serial needle aspiration (introducing a needle in the joint to aspirate the inflammatory liquid), and surgical lavage (opening and cleaning the joint space in the OR under anesthesia). Antibiotics are also used with these two forms of treatment. Supporters of surgery believe that the most dependable method of eliminating bacteria from a joint space is through arthrotomy (opening the joint with a surgical incision) and lavage (irrigation of the joint with copious saline solution) .Promoters of serial needle aspiration support this method because it is quick, does not require opening the joint space, and can be performed without anesthesia.At present, there are no conclusive studies comparing the two techniques. Hopefully, this study will help delineate the best course of management.

The ultimate objective of the proposed research is to improve the health-related quality of life of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis by reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis secondary to glucocorticoid therapy. The study has four specific aims. Specific Aim 1: To obtain descriptive information concerning patients' knowledge, beliefs and behaviors with respect to osteoporosis and osteoporosis prevention. Specific Aim 2: To identify factors that discriminate among patients in different stages of change with respect to each behavior of interest. Specific Aim 3: To compare the effects of tailored versus generic educational materials on patient adherence to the ACR Guidelines for the Prevention of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis. Specific Aim 4: To determine if the effects of tailored educational materials are enhanced by concurrent feedback of information concerning patients' behavioral risk factor status to their physicians.