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31 active trials for Scleroderma

SPIN Self-Management Feasibility Trial With Progression to Full-scale Trial (SPIN-SELF)

The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) is an organization established by researchers, health care providers, and people living with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The objectives of SPIN are (1) to assemble a large cohort of SSc patients who complete outcome assessments regularly in order to learn more about important problems faced by people living with SSc and (2) to develop and test a series of internet-based interventions to help patients manage problems related to SSc, including a self-management program (SPIN-SELF Program). The SPIN-SELF Program was designed by SPIN members based on key tenets of behaviour change that have been successfully incorporated in programs for more common diseases and on patient input. It utilizes social modelling through educational videos of SSc patients describing their challenges and what they have done to cope with SSc, as well as videos teaching key self-management techniques. After an introduction to self-management and instructions on how to navigate the program, patients will have access to modules that are most relevant to their symptoms and disease management challenges. The program's modules address (1) pain; (2) skin care, finger ulcers, and Raynaud's; (3) sleep problems; (4) fatigue; (5) gastrointestinal symptoms; (6) itch; (7) emotions and stress; (8) body image concerns due to disfigurement; and (9) effective communication with healthcare providers. The proposed study is a feasibility trial with progression to full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT), depending on whether stoppage criteria are met, of the SPIN Self-Management Program. The SPIN-SELF Program was previously feasibility tested as an online only, self-help intervention. However, uptake was low, thus the investigators have moved to a group-based format. SPIN-SELF participants randomized to intervention will access and use online self-management material, and this will be supported by videoconference group sessions, led by trained peer facilitators. In the SPIN-SELF feasibility trial with progression to full-scale trial, the investigators will evaluate the disease management self-efficacy of participants who use SPIN-SELF compared to usual care. Eligible SPIN Cohort participants and externally recruited participants, with low disease-management self-efficacy, will be randomized to the SPIN-SELF Program or to usual care only. In the feasibility portion, 40 eligible participants will be randomized. Unless the trial team determines, based on stoppage criteria, that trial procedures need important modifications thereby re-setting the full scale trial as a new trial, the outcome data of the participants in the feasibility portion will be utilized in the analyses of the full-scale trial. In the full-scale RCT, 524 participants will be randomized.

Start: September 2021
UVA-1 for Treatment of Skin Tightening and Improvement of Hand Function in Scleroderma

UVA-1 has been reported to be beneficial to skin changes in scleroderma in several case reports and a few small studies. (Jacobe 2020) Interpretation of these reports has been difficult based on the small numbers of subjects involved and the non-blinded non-randomized nature of the reports. In a single controlled study with half-side comparison of 9 patients, the investigators could not demonstrate improvement with UVA-1 in the treated hand. (Thomas 2007) This study was limited by a small number of patients and the long disease duration prior to treatment (mean of 13 years). A more recent report of a patient with scleroderma for 2.5 years and severe acrosclerosis that responded to 21 sessions of UVA-1 with improved mobility and functionality renews interest in this treatment modality. (Cuenca-Barrales 2019) In this trial patients will be randomized to have their dominant or non-dominant hand undergo 30 sessions of UVA1 therapy . We will assess patient's hand mobility, hand function, skin hardening (assessed by durometer measurements), skin thickness, as well as patient reported outcomes to determine efficacy. This study will use a single-blind, prospective, randomized (dominant/non-dominant hand) comparator design to assess the effect of high dose (80-120 J/cm2) UVA1 therapy on hand function in scleroderma in a paired t-test design. This study will be placebo-controlled (with a UV-blocking gloved hand), cross-over, randomized clinical trial. Following the initial treatment period (30 treatments), patients will have the option to undergo the same high dose UVA1 treatment protocol on the untreated control hand. A follow up period of 12 months following completion of UVA1 therapy will prospectively follow patients to monitor for relapse of their disease to assess the durability of the clinical response to UVA1 therapy on hand scleroderma.

Start: December 2020
Pregnancy and Medically Assisted Conception in Rare Diseases

Rare diseases frequently affect women of childbearing age. Pregnancy in these women has become less rare, but remains associated with high levels of complications. One obstacle to their optimal management during pregnancy is that there are no prospective studies of pregnancy during rare diseases and several connective tissue diseases. As a consequence, the management of these pregnancies is non-standardised in terms of treatment, monitoring (frequency of consultations, laboratory tests and ultrasound), and organisation of care. Moreover, although these women (all diseases combined) are frequently exposed to medications potentially incompatible with pregnancy, little is known about the frequency of these exposures and especially their consequences to mother and child. For these reasons, researchers and clinicians from different specialties created an interdisciplinary research group on pregnancy and rare diseases (GR2), intended to improve the management of these patients' pregnancies. Using a single computer server, the investigators plan to set up a large prospective study of pregnancies in patients with rare diseases: various forms of myositis, lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The investigators objective is to analyse the complications of pregnancies in women with rare diseases and then to improve their management and their quality of life.

Start: June 2014
AR-Power Patient Powered Research Network

ArthritisPower is a patient research network and database (registry) to collect prospective information about demographics, self-reported diagnoses and medications, and willingness to participate in research from participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and other musculoskeletal conditions. Participants will provide information from their smartphones or personal computers. The information will be used by researchers to help patients and their providers make better, more informed decisions about treatment of RA/SpA and other musculoskeletal conditions. ArthritisPower is part of a larger national research network called PCORnet whose 33 network members have mapped their data to a common data model. Network members will be able to submit queries through PCORnet in order to answer a range of comparative effectiveness research questions. Data sharing across PCORnet will be accomplished using secure methods to prevent patient identification. There is no cost to participants for participating and no compensation is provided. Objectives: To establish a research registry to enable comparative effectiveness research in rheumatic diseases and other musculoskeletal conditions. All data collected using the ArthritisPower mobile app as part of a subject's use is stored with the ArthritisPower registry. This data will be used in conjunction with existing and future research studies. To use the data from this study to improve treatment and to further advance finding a cure for rheumatic diseases.

Start: April 2015