Arthritis

Researchers are evaluating the effects of high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field therapy HI-PEMF in older adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis OA. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial compares two treatment methods HI-PEMF applied only to the knee joint versus HI-PEMF applied both to the knee and the quadriceps muscles. The study aims to understand pain reduction and improvement in functional performance in this population, addressing common issues such as muscle weakness and frailty associated with knee OA. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A will receive HI-PEMF therapy focused exclusively on the symptomatic knee for 10 minutes per session, twice weekly for 5 weeks, totaling 9 sessions. Group B will receive HI-PEMF therapy applied to both the knee and the quadriceps muscle, with each site treated for 10 minutes per session under the same schedule. Both groups will also follow a standardized, home-based exercise program involving five specific strengthening and mobility exercises performed three times per week during the 5-week treatment period. The BTL-6000 Super Inductive System device is used for all HI-PEMF treatments. During the study, participants will be assessed at the start, after the 5-week intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up. Researchers will measure changes in pain using the Numeric Analog Scale NAS, functional mobility through the Timed Up and Go TUG test, and lower-limb strength with the 5-times Sit-to-Stand 5STS test. Additional evaluations include monitoring paracetamol use, frailty, sarcopenia, and radiological OA grade. Adherence to treatment sessions and exercises will be closely followed, and safety monitored throughout the study, which lasts a total of about three months including follow-up.

This research aims to determine whether supplementation with vitamin E alpha-tocopherol reduces inflammation and clinical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA. RA is a common autoimmune disease causing chronic joint inflammation and potential joint damage, which leads to disability and affects quality of life. The study focuses on patients with early RA who have low vitamin E intake and are already receiving standard RA treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will receive conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs FARMEs plus 800 mg per day of vitamin E, while the other group will receive the same FARMEs plus a 200 mg per day magnesium oxide placebo. The supplementation lasts for one month, with participants taking two capsules daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. During the study, participants will attend clinic visits at the start and end of the supplementation period for assessments including clinical activity, blood tests measuring vitamin E levels, inflammatory markers, autoantibodies, and antioxidant capacity. They will keep a diary to track symptoms and supplement intake. Researchers will evaluate changes in vitamin E levels, clinical disease activity DAS-28, pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute phase reactants, and autoantibodies to understand the impact of vitamin E supplementation on RA.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of Mulligan Mobilization Technique compared to proprioceptive exercises for treating adults aged 40 and above with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, classified as Grades 2 and 3 on the Kellgren and Lawrence scale. The study aims to assess these treatments over a 10-week period, focusing on pain levels, movement, functional activities, balance, and quality of life improvements. Participants are selected based on clinical diagnosis and mobility ability without assistive devices. The study involves three groups one receiving proprioceptive exercises designed to improve balance and joint position sense, another receiving Mulligan Mobilization Technique, a manual therapy to improve joint mobility, and a control group undergoing traditional physical therapy. Each participant receives 30 treatment sessions over 10 weeks, with three sessions per week lasting 40 to 60 minutes each. Treatments are delivered by trained physical therapists, and assessments occur at the start and end of the treatment period. Participants will complete questionnaires and undergo evaluations measuring pain intensity, range of motion, functional status, and balance using tools like the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Universal Goniometer, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Berg Balance Scale. Quality of life is also assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The study follows a double-blind, randomized design to ensure unbiased results. Confidentiality is maintained, and participants may withdraw at any time without penalty.

Knee osteoarthritis OA is a common degenerative and inflammatory joint disease causing pain and limited mobility, affecting millions worldwide. This research evaluates the clinical results of treating patients with knee OA and chronic pain that has not improved after at least three months of conventional conservative therapy. The study focuses on selective arterial embolization as a treatment option for patients who are not candidates for or refuse surgery and suffer from refractory chronic pain. The treatment involves transarterial microembolization, which selectively targets and blocks blood vessels causing inflammation in the knee. This procedure uses micro-catheters to inject embolizing material into pathological genicular arterial branches, followed by diagnostic arteriography to confirm successful embolization. The study includes 43 patients who will undergo this procedure after providing informed consent. Patients will be followed up with clinical evaluations at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment or until they drop out for other reasons. Participants will be involved in regular clinical assessments to monitor pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale VAS and other measures like quality of life SF-36, joint function WOMAC score, range of motion, and overall treatment assessment over two years. Researchers will also measure bilateral knee circumferences to evaluate changes. The study aims to understand the treatments impact on pain reduction and joint function over time, with ongoing safety and progress monitoring throughout the follow-up period.

The 100-Year Human Aging Study is a long-term observational research project enrolling adult participants to undergo detailed multi-system health screenings and follow them throughout their lives until death. The study aims to identify which health measurements taken at enrollment and repeatedly over time can predict overall mortality, cause-specific death, serious diseases, and functional disability. It addresses the current lack of validated longevity measures by generating data on how various physiological and cognitive functions relate to aging outcomes. Participants undergo a comprehensive clinical screening that includes tests of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, mobility, neurocognitive performance, sensory functions, and metabolic health. Structural imaging assessments like DEXA scans, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, retinal photography, and vascular ultrasound are performed. Laboratory tests and detailed medical, social, and environmental histories are also collected. The study allows participation from single tests up to a full two-visit screening, with repeat testing encouraged to track health changes over time. Throughout the study, participants receive individualized reports with investigational estimates of biological age and predicted mortality risks, which are being evaluated against actual health outcomes. Researchers collect data continuously on mortality, disease occurrence, disability, and health behavior changes. The study involves ongoing follow-up with periodic assessments and aims to preserve all collected data for future analyses, with participant involvement potentially spanning their entire lifespan.

Researchers are evaluating a new MRI pulse sequence called 3D DL oZTEo to detect bone erosions in the hands of patients with inflammatory arthritis. The study aims to validate this technique against current standard methods like radiography and conventional MRI, as these structural changes are important for diagnosis and treatment decisions in rheumatic conditions. This is an interventional study conducted at Mayo Clinic. Participants will have the FDA-approved oZTEo MRI pulse sequence added to their routine hand MRI scan. The oZTEo images will be anonymized and processed using a deep learning algorithm developed by GE Healthcare. This additional sequence is assessed alongside the standard MRI to compare its ability to detect bone erosions. During the study, researchers will analyze MRI scans with and without the 3D DL oZTEo sequence to determine the presence and number of bone erosions in the hand. Participants must have recent hand radiographs confirming erosions and are scheduled for hand MRI as part of their clinical care. The study measures outcomes on the day of imaging and monitors the accuracy of erosion detection.

Researchers are evaluating the use of Synolis VA 80160, a device containing hyaluronic acid and sorbitol, in adults with hip osteoarthritis. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of this treatment over a 6-month period in patients experiencing symptoms related to this condition who have not responded well to standard pain relief treatments. The study is conducted independently across multiple centers. Participants will receive a single guided injection of Synolis VA 80160 directly into the affected hip joint. The study monitors changes in hip function and pain using the Oxford Hip Score at various points including 3 and 6 months after injection. Additional evaluations include patient self-assessments of symptom evolution and tracking whether participants require hip prosthesis placement within 6 months. During the study, participants will undergo assessments at baseline and follow-up visits where their hip function and symptoms are measured using standard questionnaires. The main outcome is the evolution of the Oxford Hip Score after 6 months. Researchers will also monitor safety and any need for hip replacement surgery. Participants will be involved for the full 6-month study duration, with data collected to understand both short-term and longer-term effects of the treatment.

Researchers are investigating how the medicine Filgotinib works to relieve pain in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis RA. This study focuses on understanding two main factors influencing pain relief brain pathways linked to central nervous system sensitization seen in fibromyalgia, and the inflammation surrounding joints and related immune signals. The study aims to clarify why Filgotinib may provide faster pain relief compared to other treatments by examining these mechanisms. Participants prescribed Filgotinib will be observed using advanced 7 Tesla MRI brain imaging to measure changes in brain connectivity and glutamate levels associated with pain processing. The study will assess Filgotinibs impact on both central nervous system pain pathways and peripheral inflammation over periods of up to 12 weeks. This observational test-retest design does not involve altering prescribed treatments but focuses on detailed imaging and biological assessments. During the study, participants will undergo brain MRIs and evaluations of joint inflammation through ultrasound and blood tests measuring cytokines and chemokines. They will also complete questionnaires on pain, fatigue, anxiety, sleep, and cognitive function. Researchers will monitor changes in these measures at intervals up to 12 weeks to understand how Filgotinib affects pain and related symptoms. Total participation time aligns with the 12-week observation period.

Researchers are evaluating a study medicine called MK-1045 in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus SLE or rheumatoid arthritis RA. The main goal is to learn about the safety and tolerability of MK-1045 when given at different dose levels. This is a phase 1 clinical trial focused on treatment and led by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Participants will receive MK-1045 through intravenous infusion. The study has three parts Part 1 involves single doses at various levels, Part 2 includes three step-up doses over three weeks as prime, step-up, and target doses, and Part 3 offers optional dose expansion with similar dosing. This sequential study uses randomized allocation without masking. During the study, participants will be monitored for adverse events and treatment discontinuations up to approximately 52 weeks depending on the study part. Researchers will also measure how the drug behaves in the body and its effect on peripheral B cell counts. Participants will have regular assessments including safety and pharmacokinetic evaluations throughout the study period, which runs up to July 2029.

Researchers are evaluating BBM-A101, an AAV-based gene therapy, to treat people with moderate knee osteoarthritis. The study aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of this treatment. It is a Phase 1 clinical study with two parts Phase Ia, which is randomized and single-blind, and Phase Ib, which is randomized and double-blind with parallel groups. Participants receive a single 2 ml injection of BBM-A101 directly into the knee joint. In Phase Ia, there are low, middle, and high dose groups along with a placebo group. In Phase Ib, participants are assigned to either low or high dose groups or a placebo group. The study compares these groups to evaluate the treatment effects and safety. During the study, participants undergo regular assessments including monitoring of adverse events and serious adverse events for up to one year. Researchers will also measure gene expression protein levels, virus shedding in various bodily fluids, changes in knee joint space by X-ray, and antibody responses over a period of up to five years. Participants are followed closely with lab tests, imaging, and clinical evaluations to track outcomes and safety throughout the study duration.