Active clinical trials for "Arthritis"

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 find out how patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis receiving NSAID-therapy are treated and managed by their doctor in usual clinical practice, how patients comply with their treatment and how satisfied they are with their treatment.

The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence rates of infection among patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are treated with abatacept and those who are treated with other anti-rheumatic medications

The primary purpose of this study is to assess incidence rates of targeted infections, malignancies and mortality among patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are treated with abatacept.

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.

The purpose of this study is to compare healthy children to children who have a chronic illness called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JIA is a childhood disease that causes swollen joints that are often stiff and painful. JIA affects about 1 in 1,000 children age 16 and younger.

This is a case study to evaluate the adequacy of fixation and functional outcome of the glenoid anchor peg following autologous bone grafting around the prosthesis at the time of implant.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety (by collecting adverse events and serious adverse events) of adalimumab administered every other week to patients with moderately to severly active rheumatoid arthritis who have failed prior disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).