Active clinical trials for "Sclerosis"

The aim of this prospective study is to determine prevalence and characteristics of small intestinal mucosal abnormalities in 40 patients with systemic sclerosis, using capsule endoscopy. The investigators' findings may improve management of small intestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

This study will determine whether sildenafil citrate, commonly known as Viagra, can cause increased blood flow to the brain in a wide range of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, including women. Although people with MS can have reduced blood flow in the brain as part of the disease process, it has been observed that men with MS may have increased blood flow to the brain while taking sildenafil citrate. This study will measure brain blood flow or blood volume in men and women with MS before and after taking Viagra and compare the results to those in healthy volunteers in an effort to better understand the disease. Healthy volunteers 18 years of age and older and patients with MS between 18 and 55 years of age may be eligible for this study. Volunteers are screened with a medical history and physical examination, and patients with MS are evaluated with a complete neurological examination and screening for heart disease, including history of chest pain, heart attack, and use of nitrates. Participants undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after taking Viagra. During the scanning, subjects lie still on a table that can slide in and out of the cylindrical metal scanner. Scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 3 hours, with most scans lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. First, a scan is obtained of the carotid arteries (major arteries in the neck supplying blood to the brain) to determine if the arteries are narrowed, and then baseline MRI scans and measures of brain blood flow are obtained. The subject then comes out of the scanner and takes a Viagra pill. After 1 hour, the subject returns to the scanner and more scans are obtained to determine changes in brain blood flow and blood volume following Viagra. A catheter (thin plastic tube) is placed in the subject's arm before he or she enters the magnet for the second time for injection of a contrast agent called gadolinium DTPA, which allows brain structures to be distinguished more clearly.

This study will use a magnetic resonance imaging technique called nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (H-MRS) to define the pathology and progression of primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and assess the usefulness of this technique in evaluating patients' response to therapy. H-MRS will be used to examine metabolic changes in the parts of the brain and spinal cord (motor cortex and corticospinal tract) involved in movement. Normal volunteers and patients with primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis between 21 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Participants will have up to five H-MRS studies, including baseline and follow-up tests. For this procedure, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into a strong magnetic field. Earplugs are worn to muffle the loud knocking noise that occurs during switching of radio frequencies. The subject will be asked to lie still during each scan, for 1 to 8 minutes at a time. Total scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with most examinations lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Communication with the medical staff is possible at all times during the scan.

Recently, concern has arisen regarding a possible elevated occurrence of ALS among veterans who served in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield (August 2, 1990 - January 15, 1991), Desert Storm (January 16, 1991 - February 28, 1991) and Clean-up (March 1, 1991 - July 31, 1991). This study involves an epidemiologic investigation into the occurrence of ALS among veterans of the Gulf War. This study will further define the epidemiology of this neurological disease among younger individuals while determining whether there is a higher than expected occurrence. It will also ascertain the etiologic importance of deployment to the Persian Gulf and exposure to specific environmental factors in that geographic area. VA is leading this joint federal government epidemiologic study that also involves DoD, HHS, CDC, and academic centers of excellence in neurology, with advice from the ALS Association.

To compensate for insufficiency of diagnostic tools, the present study propose to look for the predictive factors of an early fitting by noninvasive ventilation.

The objective of the study is to describe the current status of MS patients with urinary disorders in Lebanon, and to demonstrate whether invasive investigations improve the management of these patients compared to an optimal non-invasive approach.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has heterogeneous symptoms and significant medical morbidity. Recently, itch was described as a symptom of SSc (prevalence of 42,6%). To the investigators knowledge, no study yet has examined the clinical features of itch neither had used a specific itch-related quality of life (QoL) scales in patients with SSc. The objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of pruritus, its characteristics and its impact on the QoL in those patients. In this descriptive study, patients followed for SSc in the departments of dermatology, rheumatology, internal medicine and pulmonology at the University Hospital of Brest were included. Participants received a questionnaire including questions about the clinical features of pruritus and 2 scores (5-D itch scale, ItchyQol).

This protocol is of a systematic review for risk factors of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis.

Approximately 65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients appear to have problems in their cognitive function. Long-term memory is one of the most frequently affected functions in MS patients. Many factors play a role in the deterioration of cognitive functions because of many symptoms of MS. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of cognitive function with physical factors such as balance, functional exercise capacity and personal factors such as fatigue level, mood, sleep quality in patients with MS.

Vaccines in MS patients have been controversial, in particular hepatitis B vaccine in the 90s and more recently human papillomavirus vaccine. There was an important flu incidence during the winter 2016-2017 that has revealed a low exposure to the flu vaccine in health professionals in France. Vaccine exposure of Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has not been evaluated yet. Objectives The primary objective is to evaluate exposure to the flu vaccine in patients with MS during the 2016-17 campaign. Secondary objectives are to evaluate exposure to mandatory vaccines, non mandatory vaccines, in the context of immunoactive treatments; to identify potential limitations to vaccines in general in patients with MS. Methods Cross-sectional observational multicentric study, performed in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France). Data will be collected through an auto-questionnaire administered during an out-patient visit or hospitalization, during a two-week period. Statistical analysis Description of the percentage of patients exposed to the flu vaccine, and to other vaccines. Stratification according to demographics (age, sex) and MS related criteria (disability level, relapse in the year before, disease-modifiying drug) Expected results Vaccine exposure of patients with MS will be put in perspective with the general population exposure. The study can provide information regarding potential reluctance of patients with MS towards vaccines. This could lead to develop specific communication tools for patients with MS and/or health professionals.