Rheumatology

Below are current clinical trials.

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1. Strategy to Prevent the Onset of Clinically-Apparent Rheumatoid Arthritis

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to determine if hydroxychloroquine is safe and effective for the prevention of a future onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in individuals who have elevations of an autoantibody, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP).

2. Abatacept for the Treatment of Relapsing, Non-Severe, Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's)

   Rochester, Minn.

   Multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of abatacept to achieve sustained glucocorticoid-free remission in patients with relapsing non-severe granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) . Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either abatacept 125 mg or placebo administered by subcutaneous injection once a week. Participants will continue on study treatment for a minimum of 12 months unless they experience a disease relapse or disease flare. Participants who experience a non-severe disease relapse, non-severe disease worsening, or who have not achieved remission by month 6 will have the option of entering an open-label trial period whereby they would receive open-label abatacept.

3. Inflammation of the Heart Muscle Tissue in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

   Rochester, Minn.

   Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis than the general population. In addition, they experience higher rates of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). There is evidence that myocardial mechanics and left ventricular diastolic function are more abnormal in the RA population and these changes occur earlier than in the general population. Recently a study suggested that RA patient have abnormal myocardial inflammation during a disease flare and that this is improved with anti-inflammatory treatment. Our study is aimed at describing the prevalence of myocardial inflammation in patients during active RA disease flares and comparing that with RA patients who are in remission. We hope to show that abnormalities in myocardial inflammation on PET imaging correlate with abnormalities in myocardial strain on echocardiography. Coronary CT will be performed to establish the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and whether its presence affects changes in either myocardial inflammation or myocardial strain. The hypothesis is that patients with evidence of myocardial inflammation during the course of their RA disease are more likely to develop HFpEF during their lifetime. Although the present study will not be of a duration to assess outcome, we will provide descriptive data which may help guide future prospective study of patients with RA which may help guide appropriate cardiovascular testing in this high risk population.

4. A Study to Evaluate Intravenous Iloprost in Subjects with Symptomatic Raynaud's Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis

   Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effieativeness of iloprost on the frequency of and relief from symptomatic digital ischemic episodes in subjects with systemic sclerosis.

5. Observational Study of Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases: The CARRA Registry

   Rochester, Minn.

   Continuation of the CARRA Registry as described in the protocol will support data collection on patients with pediatric-onset rheumatic diseases. The CARRA Registry will form the basis for future CARRA studies. In particular, this observational registry will be used to answer pressing questions about therapeutics used to treat pediatric rheumatic diseases, including safety questions.