Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Scleroderma
Influenza Vaccine in SclerodermaThe safety and efficacy of vaccination against influenza in patients with scleroderma is not clear. The objective of this study is to assess its safety and efficacy in 50 patients with scleroderma in comparison with 30 controls
Study of Silicone-Associated Connective Tissue Diseases
Autoimmune DiseasesConnective Tissue Diseases4 moreThis study will examine the possible relationship between silicone implants or injections and the connective tissue diseases scleroderma and myositis. It will explore whether certain factors in the blood or the immune system or other factors are involved in the development of these diseases following silicone implantation or injection. Men and women 18 years of age and older who meet the following criteria may be eligible for this study: Group 1-Patients who have had silicone implants or injections and who later developed scleroderma or myositis Group 2-Patients with scleroderma or myositis who have not had silicone implants or injections Group 3-Healthy volunteers who have had silicone implants or injections and did not develop symptoms or other medical features of connective tissue disorders. Participants will have a thorough history and physical examination, blood and urine tests, chest X-ray and lung function tests. In addition, patients will complete a questionnaire about their procedure (including information such as the types of implanted devices and injections, reason for the procedure, post-operative complications, other illnesses or medical conditions present before and after the procedure, etc.).
The CARRA Registry
Juvenile Idiopathic ArthritisSystemic Lupus Erythematosus11 moreThis CARRA Registry study will create a foundational database for rheumatic diseases of childhood using a novel informatics infrastructure developed as part of the larger clinical project. The creation of a CARRA-wide informatics infrastructure will enable efficient, observational, disease-related data capture across all CARRA sites for pediatric rheumatic diseases. The CARRA Registry study will demonstrate the feasibility of expanding to more data intensive registries for observational studies, comparative effectiveness research, pharmaceutical clinical trials and translational research.
CompRehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Patients With Scleroderma-Associated ILD and PH
Interstitial Lung DiseaseScleroderma1 morePatients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and scleroderma who develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) do not fit well into the current classification system and treatments for pulmonary hypertension. This study aims to better understand patients with ILD-PH and scleroderma and to determine if treatment with Macitentan is beneficial.
The Influence of Extracorporeal Photopheresis on Skin Sclerosis
SclerodermaSystemic4 moreExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), also known as extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy or photochemotherapy, is a leukapheresis-based therapy that has been in clinical use for over three decades after receiving FDA approval in 1988. Extracorporeal photopheresis was initially used for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma. Since its introduction, indications for initiating ECP were continuously extended to the treatment of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), systemic sclerosis, and in the field of solid organ transplantation. There is also evidence supporting the use of ECP in generalized morphea, a form of scleroderma limited to the skin, and in eosinophilic fasciitis, which is a rare, localized fibrosing disorder of the fascia. Concluding the results of the published studies, there is evidence that ECP has a positive effect on fibrosing disorders of the skin. Furthermore, in clinical practice, it has been observed that patients with systemic sclerosis, who undergo ECP treatment, show improvement of the skin lesions or a deceleration in the formation progress of such lesions during the therapy. Same findings can be observed in patients with sclerotic skin lesions of the skin, for example in the context of a GvHD. There are no clinical studies so far that describe these processes using objective measuring methods. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of ECP in systemic sclerosis and other fibrosing disorders with skin manifestations, has not yet been conclusively clarified. Serological markers for monitoring the progress of the therapy and determining the prognosis are also missing. Thus, a consensus regarding the frequency and duration of ECP for the therapy of systemic scleroderma or sclerotic diseases has not yet been reached. This study aims at evaluating the influence of Extracorporeal Photopheresis on the quality and functionality of sclerotic skin lesions assessed by several objective methods. Furthermore, potential biomarkers, which are being investigated in current studies, are to be determined in order to evaluate the influence of ECP on those biomarkers and better understand the mechanism of action of ECP on systemic sclerosis and fibrosing disorders involving the skin.
Functional Luminal Imaging Probe (FLIP) Topography Use in Patients With Scleroderma and Trouble...
SclerodermaDysphagia1 moreFLIP topography has been FDA cleared to evaluate a variety of esophageal conditions, but has never been evaluated in patients with scleroderma. The investigators hope to evaluate this technology in patients who have scleroderma and various esophageal symptoms, and compare to non-scleroderma patients.
Duke Scleroderma Clinic Patient Registry
SclerodermaSystemic SclerosisThe purpose of the Duke Scleroderma Registry (DSScR) is to obtain information about scleroderma. This information could be used in future research to increase the understanding of disease mechanisms, treatments, and outcomes. This research may also help develop new therapies, novel measures of disease assessment or identify previously unknown manifestations of the diseases. A prospectively followed cohort is an integral component of future translational and clinical research programs. A registry for scleroderma would allow for information to be gleaned about patients in "real-world situations" in an effort to improve the reality, generalizability and applicability of information gathered.
Scleroderma Treatment With Celution Processed ADRCs Registry
SclerodermaThis registry study will assess the safety and performance of the Celution Device in the processing of an autologous graft consisting of adipose derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) in the treatment of hand scleroderma.
Sleep Disturbances and Pulmonary Artery/Aorta Diameter in Scleroderma Patient
SclerodermaPulmonary HypertensionTo determine sleep disturbance, pulmonary function test, 6 minute walk, echocardiogram abnormality, arterial blood gas, ventilation/perfusion scan of the chest in Scleroderma patient with Pulmonary Hypertension.
Genesis of Scleroderma: Role of Environmental Factors in 100 Patients With Scleroderma and 300 Controls...
SclerodermaScleroderma is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin. Recently, the role of environmental factors, and particularly toxic drug exposure, in the genesis of scleroderma has been suggested. This prompted us to conduct this prospective, case-control, multicentric study, including 2 groups of subjects: 100 patients with scleroderma 300 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The aim of our study is to determine whether exposure to toxics is higher in patients with scleroderma compared with healthy controls.