Active clinical trials for "Spondylitis"

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) treatment, 5 mg/kg every 6 weeks, in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to determine whether IFX dose reduction and interval extension, 3 mg/kg every 8 weeks during the second year sustained the treatment effect. The study was started in 2003 an finished in 2008.

Seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of rheumatic diseases Foot involvement of the SpA is common and enthesitis, erosive changes or ankylosis are the frequent lesions. The functional status of the SpA patients are usually evaluated globally.The aim of this study is to assess specifically the foot -related functional limitations of the SpA patients.

Rationale: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory back pain disorder affecting up to 24% of young chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. For general practitioners (GPs) it is difficult to distinguish axSpA patients in the large amount of CLBP patients. In previous studies a referral rule for axSpA applicable in CLBP patients was developed and validated. The next step is to investigate the impact of the referral rule in daily practice. This impact analysis will test if the referral rule will be beneficial or harmful. Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of a referral rule in young patients presenting at the general practitioners with chronic low back pain, who are at risk for axSpA, compared to usual care. Study design: A cluster randomized clinical trial. Study population: Primary care patients with chronic low back pain, aged 18-45 years. Intervention (if applicable): GPs are randomized in clusters either to use directly the referral rule or use the referral rule after 4 months. The referral rule consists out of four variables, a positive ASAS inflammatory back pain questionnaire, a positive family history for spondyloarthritis, a good reaction to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and back pain duration longer than 5 years. If at least two out of four variables are present a referral to the rheumatologist is advised. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome is a change in the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) compared to baseline in the CLBP patients with or without use of the referral model. Secondary parameters: Quality of life measurements, cost-effectiveness, pain and fatigue and referral to rheumatologist and diagnosis of axSpA. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The burden and risks associated with participation are minimal. No medical intervention is taken place. If the GP of the patients is randomized to the referral model, the patient is checked for the risk of axial spondyloarthritis, by the non-invasive referral model. If the referral model is positive a referral to the rheumatologist is advised. Is the GP is randomized to the 'usual care' there is no difference in the treatment of low back pain than nowadays. A GP is still allowed to treat the CLBP patients optimal and a referral to the rheumatologist is allowed but not actively advised. All participating CLBP patients are asked to fill several questionnaires at four different time points, at baseline, after 12 months and after 24 months. In total there are 8 questionnaires and four separate questions. The questionnaire are designed to fill out by the patient themselves. The total time to fill in the questionnaire is estimated to be 30 minutes. The benefits of the study are: For the CLBP patients, up to 24% of the back pain complaints are caused by axSpA, but the GPs are not (yet) aware of this disease. When a CLBP patient is participating in this study, the chance of having axSpA as cause for the back pain is investigated. This a benefit for a CLBP patients since there is effective treatment for axSpA. For the GP it is very difficult to distinguish an axSpA patients in the large amount of CLBP patients. If it appears that the validated referral rule has an impact on CLBP and GPs, the next step will be implementation of this referral model in daily practice and it will become a helpful tool for the GP. For the society, CLBP is a great socioeconomic burden for the society. When one of the causes for CLBP, namely axSpA is diagnosed and treated in an earlier stage this will lead to a decreased sick leave because of back pain and is therefore potentially cost-effective.

The primary purpose is to assess the effectiveness of certolizumab pegol in patients with axial spondyloarthritis under routine clinical practice.

This study will evaluate: 1) whether computed tomography (CT) scanning is better than regular x-rays for measuring changes in the stiffness, or fusion, of the spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis; and 2) if CT can be used to determine how fast extra bone forms in the spine of these patients. Better ways to measure spinal fusion are needed to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of medicines in slowing or stopping its progression. CT uses x-rays to provide detailed pictures of the inside of the body and are valuable for detecting spinal abnormalities because of the precision with which it can show these structures. For the procedure, the patient lies on a table that moves into a large, donut-shaped scanner that can move around the body to take pictures at different angles, which are viewed on a computer monitor. Patients 18 years of age and older with ankylosing spondylitis who are not currently taking or planning to receive treatment with anti-TNF alpha medications (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) for 1 year may be eligible for this study. Participants have eight clinic visits, scheduled at study entry and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 months, at the NIH Clinical Center for the following procedures: Clinical assessment (all visits) - includes medical history and physical examination, measurement of spine flexibility with a tape measure and protractor, symptoms questionnaire Blood tests for measures of inflammation, including red blood cell sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level (all visits) Urine pregnancy test in women of child-bearing age (visits 1, 4, 7, 8) X-rays of the pelvis, low back, and neck (visits 1, 4, 7) X-ray of the low back (visit 8) CT scan of the low back (visits 1, 4, 7) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the low back (visits 1, 4) - MRI combines a powerful magnet with an advanced computer system and radio waves to produce accurate, detailed pictures of organs and tissues. The patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field, wearing earplugs to muffle loud noises that occur with electrical switching of the magnetic fields. He or she can speak with a staff member via an intercom system at all times during the procedure. During the scan, a contrast dye (gadolinium) is injected into the bloodstream through a catheter (plastic tube inserted in a vein) to brighten the images. In addition, participants will complete a symptoms questionnaire by mail every 4 months for 2 years between visits 7 and 8. ...

This study is a non-interventional, longitudinal and non-confirmatory study to compare an active supervised training (AST) with standard of care (SOC) physiotherapy in patients with axial spondyloarthritis and stable response to adalimumab (HUMIRA®) with respect to health-related outcomes. The primary objective is the improvement in spinal mobility after a 6 month training program.

The investigators hypothesize that the T1 Dixon post-Gadolinium and T2 Dixon sequences will show good diagnostic performances for active sacroiliitis compared to the reference test (Short tau inversion recovery) and clinical-biological criteria, which will allow a better diagnosis of active sacroiliitis

A safety and feasibility study of free-run and stimulated corporal electromyography (EMG) to assess autonomic neural function during spinal and/or pelvic surgery in women and men.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of acupuncture in treating chronic low-back pain

Assessing the efficacy and tolerability of methotrexate 15mg sc in the first month of treatment- if well tolerated methotrexate 20mg sc in the following 3 months in patients with active anklyosing spondylitis