Active clinical trials for "Rheumatic Diseases"

The prognosis of rheumatic diseases has improved considerably with development of therapy. However, infections are considered the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in this group of patients. One of the ways to prevent such complications is vaccination. In 2009, a new pandemic strain of influenza virus (A/H1N1/2009) has emerged raising major concerns for public health. Patients under immunosuppressive therapy have indication for immunization against influenza virus H1N1. There are, however, concerns about possibility of reactivation of autoimmune diseases, determine adverse events and insufficient immunogenicity in these patients. The lack of studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the vaccine against influenza A(H1N1)/2009 in these rheumatic patients led to the development of this research. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the humoral response and safety of the vaccine virus A(H1N1)/2009 in immunosuppressed patients with rheumatic diseases compared to healthy controls. We have recruited 400 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 350 with spondyloarthritis, 1000 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 150 with dermatomyositis (DM), 100 with mixed connective tissue disease, 150 with systemic vasculitis, 250 with systemic sclerosis (SSc) , 100 with Sjögren's syndrome, 100 with antiphospholipid syndrome, 100 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 80 with juvenile SLE, and 80 with juvenile DM, followed at our Rheumatology Outpatient Division and Unit Pediatric Rheumatology Children's Institute, HC-FMUSP. The control group was recruited were 200 healthy employees of ICHC-FMUSP. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and the study was approved by the Local Ethical Committee. All subjects were vaccinated against influenza virus A/(H1N1)/2009 (vaccine approved and supplied by Instituto Butantan-São Paulo). Blood samples was collected to measure levels of antibodies inhibiting hemagglutination by influenza virus A (H1N1)/2009 immediately prior to vaccination and 21 to 28 days after vaccination., Participants fulfilled a questionnaire on the immediate side effects of the vaccine. All patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, SLE, DM, systemic vasculitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile SLE, and DM were assessed before and 21 days after vaccination for clinical, laboratory parameters of disease activity as well as treatment. Continuous variables will be compared by t-test to evaluate differences between patients with rheumatic diseases versus healthy controls. Differences between categorical variables will be evaluated using the chi-square or Fisher exact test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

This study will explore the diverse health beliefs and behaviors among minority patients with rheumatic diseases. These diseases may cause joint pain, stiffness or swelling. Some can involve bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments. Some cause abnormalities of the immune system-the body's defense against disease. Some rheumatic diseases are painful or deforming and some can be life-threatening. Many rheumatic diseases occur more often and more severely in certain minority communities. This study will explore psychosocial and cultural factors related to rheumatic disease in minorities. Patients enrolled in the NIAMS protocol Natural History or Rheumatic Disease in Minority Communities (protocol #01-AR-0227) may participate in this study. Participants will be evaluated at the NIAMS Community Health Center at the Upper Cardozo Health Center in Washington, D.C. Participants will be interviewed about individual and community health behavior, and health beliefs about rheumatic disease and its effects on several areas of their life, including mood and physical activity. The interview will be in one of the following formats: 1) in-depth cognitive interview, 2) focus group, or 3) face-to-face interview, as follows: In-Depth Cognitive Interview Participants take part in a one-time interview conducted by one investigator, observed by another, and tape recorded. The interview lasts from 1 to 2 hours. Focus Groups Participants take part in a group interview of from 6 to 10 people during a one-time tape-recorded session that lasts from 2 to 2-1/2 hours. The group discussion is led by a moderator and a facilitator, who takes notes and makes observations. Face-to Face Interview Participants are interviewed twice - first upon enrollment at the NIAMS Community Health Center and again after 6 months' follow-up at the Center.

This project aims to further develop and conduct a 'real-world' proof-of-concept assessment of a suite of three products, known as the 'JIA Toolbox', that collectively aim to improve CYP's independence and functional ability 'JIA Toolbox' targets key unmet needs identified by stakeholders during our previous work. Each prototype (Appendix1) addresses a specific unmet need: Prototype-1: Pain which stops CYP doing the things they love; Prototype-2: Difficulty for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to motivate CYP to do stretches; Prototype-3: Communication difficulties between teachers and CYP The project is at a stage where the prototypes need their potential value assessed through a proof-of-concept study. A co-design approach, involving CYP with JIA, their parents, their teachers and HCPs, will be maintained throughout to ensure the outcomes are meaningful. This study will begin with co-design workshops to develop the current prototypes further, followed by a qualitative study assessing the real-world usability, acceptability and potential impacts of these prototypes; testing them with real users in their homes. The project aims to make a positive contribution to CYP with JIA by improving their independence and functional ability through co-designed therapeutic interventions.

Observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of meloxicam (Mobicox®) in Mexican population with rheumatic diseases

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of heated pool group exercises for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases with regard to symptoms (pain, fatigue, stiffness and ability to carry out daily activities).

Monocentric study for the evaluation of a whole body CZT scintigraphy system.

Chronic pain is pain that exceeds the duration of the injury or trigger stimulus and lasts for at least three months. Recent studies show that chronic pain has devastating effects on cognitive functions by causing emotional stress, anxiety, and depression.The studies show that chronic pain affects certain cognitive areas. These areas are; processing speed, short-term memory, longterm memory, inhibitory control and working memory. In addition, task-oriented studies show that chronic pain affects not single tasks, but rather dual tasks that require the use of complex cognitive function (executive function). 40-60% of rheumatologic patients do not have sufficient relief in their pain. For this reason, dual task performance may be affected in individuals diagnosed with rheumatological disease, secondary to the impairment of cognition. In the literature, there are only limited studies showing dual-task performance effects in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. However, chronic pain is the main health problem that prevents mobility restriction and participation in all rheumatic diseases. In addition, there is no study investigating the dual task performance effect in rheumatic diseases in a comprehensive way. Therefore, the aim of the study is to investigate the effect of rheumatic diseases on dual-task performance by comparing it with the control group.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Remote Ischemic Perconditioning is effective on Acute kidney injury in adult valve replacement.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a simple and rapid method in order to better define and treat Polymyalgia Rheumatica by measuring levels of muscle achiness and pain with a blood pressure cuff.

Articular involvement can reach up to 95% within the chronic multisystemic manifestations of SLE (1). Originally, a non-erosive pattern of articular inflammation was described, but the emergence of more sensitive imaging techniques, such as MRI (2, 3), show synovitis, erosions (hand: 47-48%, carpus 82-84% in SLE; and hand: 18%, carpus 97% in healthy individuals), bone oedema (hand: 4-5%, carpus 13-16% in SLE; and 0% in healthy individuals) and tenosynovitis (hand 47%, carpus 79%; not evaluated in healthy individuals) in patients with SLE (4, 5). Nowadays, a specific validated pattern of articular involvement associated with this disease does not yet exist, although it has begun to be studied. This research tries to evaluate the presence, frequency and distribution of inflammatory articular manifestations in SLE (erosions, bone oedema, synovitis or tenosynovitis) using MRI (6), with the objective of trying to establish a specific pattern for this disease, if it exists, that can shorten the diagnostic process. Moreover, it tries to characterise, if they exist, clinical differences between various patient groups according to their articular involvement.