Effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii for Gastrointestinal Bacterial-overgrowth in Systemic Sclerosis...
Systemic SclerosisSmall Intestinal Bacterial OvergrowthIntroduction. Autonomic dysfunction, smooth muscle fibrosis and vascular damage lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). SIBO is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, malabsorption and malnutrition. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii in combination with metronidazole for 2 months for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms (NIH-PROMIS) and preventing bacterial overgrowth (hydrogen breath test) versus the standard treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis. Method. Controlled clinical trial conduct in patients with SSc (ACR-EULAR 2015) who signed informed consent. NIH PROMIS®questionarie will be apply to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms and classify in not symptomatic, least, mildy, moderately and most symptomatic. Glucose HBT will be apply after 14 hours fast, oral hygiene and 30 days free of antibiotics to evaluate SIBO. Patients with negative HBT and symptoms associated to glucose ingestion will repeat test with lactulose. Patients will be aleatorized into 1. Saccharomyces boulardii, 2. Metronidazole and 3. Metronidazole plus Saccharomyces boulardii. All data will be analyzed using SPSS software. It will be used parametric statistics for normally distributed variables and nonparametric statistics for free distribution.
Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin In Scleroderma-Associated Raynaud's Syndrome
SclerodermaRaynaud's SyndromeThis is a randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial assessing the therapeutic efficacy of Botulinum toxin A (Onabotulinumtoxin A) in treating scleroderma-associated Raynaud's syndrome. Each patient will undergo injection with a treatment dose of Botulinum toxin A in one randomly-selected hand, and the contralateral hand will be injected with sterile saline (placebo) to serve as a control. Study participants at the first study visit will complete study questionnaires, their hands will be assessed clinically for digital ulceration, and their hands will undergo non-invasive laser Doppler imaging to assess blood flow. After this initial assessment, the patients will undergo peri-arterial injection of Botulinum toxin A in one hand, and of sterile saline solution (placebo) in the other, in a randomized, blinded manner. Patient will report the severity of their Raynaud's symptoms weekly over the four month study period. At one month post-injection, the patient will complete study questionnaires, their hands will be assessed clinically for digital ulceration, and their hands will undergo non-invasive laser Doppler imaging. At four months post-injection, the patient will again complete study questionnaires, their hands will be assessed clinically for digital ulceration, and their hands will undergo non-invasive laser Doppler imaging. In addition, patient will be given the option of one week post-injection visit, at which point the same assessment will be performed. At the conclusion of the study, unblinding will occur.
A Study of Subcutaneous Abatacept to Treat Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic SclerosisThe study hypothesis is that SC abatacept is safe and shows evidence of efficacy (improvement in modified Rodnan score [mRSS]) in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcScc) compared to matching placebo.
Scleroderma Treatment With Celution Processed Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells (STAR)
SclerodermaSystemic Sclerosis2 moreThe primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Celution Device in the processing of an autologous graft consisting of adipose derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) in the treatment of hand dysfunction due to scleroderma.
A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in Participants With Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)...
Systemic SclerosisThis study will assess the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab compared with placebo in participants with SSc across approximately 120 planned global study sites. The study will consist of a 48-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled period followed by a 48-week open-label treatment period. Participants will be assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to double-blind treatment with active tocilizumab or matching placebo. In the open-label period, eligible participants from either arm may receive active tocilizumab.
Belimumab for the Treatment of Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisThis is a 48 week, phase IIa, single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept pilot study. All participants will first be treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, Cellcept) and titrated up to a dose of 2 grams/day. Following this period, half will be given either a belimumab (Benlysta®) or placebo intravenous infusion to treat early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Belimumab/MMF is expected to improve disease activity measured by an improvement in skin thickening and stability of pulmonary function test measurements when compared to patients treated with placebo/MMF.
Zibotentan Better Renal Scleroderma Outcome Study
SclerodermaScleroderma Renal Crisis1 moreMany patients with scleroderma have damage to their kidneys caused by the disease. There is limited evidence for treatments to prevent this damage or stop it progressing. Blocking a substance in the blood called endothelin has helped treat some aspects of scleroderma. The purpose of this study is to see how effective a new endothelin blocker called Zibotentan is in treating patients who have scleroderma and have gone on to develop reduced kidney function as a complication. It will be given in addition to the accepted treatments used for scleroderma. There will be three parts to this study each for a different group of patients: ZEBRA 1 for patients with mild or moderate kidney disease caused by scleroderma ZEBRA 2A for patients with a more severe, acute form of kidney disease caused by scleroderma (scleroderma renal crisis) who do not require dialysis ZEBRA 2B for patients who have had scleroderma renal crisis and are on dialysis
Topical Rosemary Oil Application in Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisThe objectives of this prospective crossover, open-label, nonrandomized study are to estimate effect sizes of vasodilatation and sense of warmth after application of topical rosemary essential oil in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis.
Gut Microbiota Transplantation in Systemic Sclerosis
SclerodermaSystemicSystemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive multi-organ disorder with high disease burden. Life expectancy in SSc is reduced by 25-40 years, mainly due to cardiopulmonary and gastro-intestinal (GI) disease involvement; and a very poor response to available treatment. Aiming to improve treatment for SSc, the ReSScue project will determine the therapeutic potential of standardized, cultivated gut microbiome transplantation (GMT), and assess the mechanisms by which this novel intervention strategy works. This approach is rationalized by studies indicating that skewed gut microbiomes could act as major, environmental risk factors in SSc; and thereby be rational targets for therapeutic manipulation. ReSScue is set up as a 4 months randomized double blind trial involving the University Hospital in Oslo. Trial participants will be recruited from the population-based, nationwide SSc cohort. Intervention will be by GMT or placebo. Primary end point is changes in SSc-related GI parameters , while secondary outcomes include safety, explorative clinical parameters, changes in oral, skin and gut microbiomes, and in immune cell phenotypes.
Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A in Adult Subjects With Raynaud Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis...
Raynaud Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic SclerosisThis study aims to assess whether or not a single injection schedule of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in both hands improves Raynaud phenomenon (RP) secondary to systemic sclerosis (SSc) better than a placebo at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment. This study's hypothesis is that the number of RP attacks per week from baseline to 4 weeks after treatment is significantly lower in the group treated with BTX-A than in the control group treated by the placebo. Furthermore, BTX-A in both hands is expected to improve both symptomatic (attack frequency, digital ulcer healing) and functional (pain, hand function, quality of life) symptoms of RP secondary to SSc more than placebo.