Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Researchers are conducting the 100-Year Human Aging Study, an observational trial designed to follow participants over their lifespans to investigate which health measurements can predict mortality, serious diseases, and functional disability. The study aims to validate many longevity measures that currently lack prospective evidence by tracking physiological, cognitive, social, and environmental factors that change with aging. This research will generate important data to improve understanding of aging and longevity medicine. Participants undergo comprehensive multi-system clinical screenings including tests like cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body composition assessment by DEXA, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, neurocognitive testing, sensory assessments, metabolic testing, and detailed medical and social histories. The study allows for different levels of participation, from single tests to full two-visit screening batteries, and encourages repeat testing to capture health changes over time. During the study, participants receive individualized reports including investigational estimates of biological age and predicted cause of death. Researchers collect data on mortality, serious health events, chronic diseases, functional ability, and lifestyle changes through periodic follow-up over many years, potentially up to 100 years. This extensive data collection helps evaluate how well these measurements predict aging outcomes. All data are stored in raw form for future analysis and participants are supported with ongoing contact and opportunities for repeat assessments.

Researchers are conducting the GENESIS clinical study to map the HLA genomic region in the Greek population and explore its possible links with various underlying diseases. This non-interventional, multicenter study aims to provide a pilot map of genetic variation in HLA that may be useful in medical research and clinical applications related to selected diseases. The study plans to include 12,000 participants over a total duration of 36 months. Each participant will attend one visit at a participating site during which they will provide demographic data, lifestyle information such as smoking and alcohol use, blood pressure measurements, details on diagnosed diseases and treatments, and recent laboratory test results if available. Buccal swab samples will be collected from each participant to extract DNA for HLA genotyping analysis. Selected samples will undergo further whole genome sequencing to investigate associations with autoimmune diseases. Participants will receive a personalized ancestry report after analysis completion. During the study visit, data collection includes demographic and health information, as well as laboratory and clinical test results from the past year. The genetic material from buccal swabs will be stored and processed for genetic analysis. Researchers will measure allele frequency of HLA alleles in the Greek population and assess the prevalence and risk associations of selected HLA-related diseases. The study's total duration is 36 months with results available at the end of this period.

Childhood obesity is a growing public health issue worldwide and especially in Spain, where it is more prevalent in southern regions. Factors contributing to this include dietary habits, physical inactivity, socioeconomic status, and family environment. The study aims to evaluate the impact of a nutritional intervention administered by school nurses to address childhood obesity and its health consequences, including heart and musculoskeletal issues. The study compares two groups of schoolchildren aged 6 to 16. One group receives a technological intervention using podcasts, gamification, and virtual reality to promote nutrition education and healthy behaviors. The control group receives traditional brochures with nutritional information. Both groups are monitored through various measurements and biometric data collected over a 15-month period. Participants will be assessed regularly for weight, height, body composition, circumference measures, blood pressure, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet using questionnaires. Additional evaluations include a 3D avatar system for anthropometric measures. The study includes data collection at multiple timepoints from 12 weeks up to 15 months, with ongoing monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the intervention and potential health improvements.

Researchers are studying the experiences of people who develop rheumatic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) after receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. This study aims to understand how severe these events are, how they affect daily function, and the attitudes of patients towards different aspects of these side effects. The research focuses on conditions like arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica that arise following this cancer treatment. This observational study does not involve any drug or treatment interventions. Instead, it gathers information through qualitative assessments from patients diagnosed by rheumatologists with inflammatory arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica as irAEs after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The study is sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and will collect data over about one year. Participants will engage in interviews to share their experiences, which will help researchers evaluate the safety and adverse events associated with these immune-related conditions. The study includes monitoring adverse events throughout the study period. The total involvement duration averages one year, allowing for comprehensive understanding of the impact and progression of these rheumatic irAEs.

Researchers are studying the human microbiome, which consists of bacteria and other microorganisms living on and inside the body, to understand how it affects health and disease. This observational study aims to build a repository of microbiome samples that can be used for future research. The study focuses on collecting biological specimens to improve testing methods and identify targets for new clinical trials related to microbiome-associated diseases. Participants of all ages, including healthy volunteers and those with various health conditions, are invited to provide samples such as stool, urine, saliva, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and cells from areas like the cheek, nose, mouth, skin, rectum, and vagina. Some samples can be collected at home using swabs, while blood samples may be drawn at a clinic or collected by finger or heel prick for young children. Intestinal and skin tissue samples may also be collected if participants undergo related medical procedures. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires about their medical history and diet. Researchers will collect and store various biological specimens to analyze the host microbiome response. These samples will help validate assays, optimize collection and processing techniques, and serve as controls for other studies. The study will continue until 2032, with ongoing monitoring of sample collection and analysis to support future microbiome research.

This research aims to evaluate how well patients with various musculoskeletal conditions follow personalized home-based exercise programs prescribed by their physicians. It focuses on patients with degenerative, orthopedic, or neurological disorders undergoing rehabilitation. The study seeks to identify differences in adherence across these groups and explore factors such as demographics, clinical status, psychosocial elements, and physical function that might influence exercise compliance. Participants will receive customized home exercise programs designed by physical therapy and rehabilitation physicians based on their specific clinical needs. These exercises complement clinic-based treatments and are tailored to individual conditions within three subgroups: chronic degenerative disorders, post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation, and neurological rehabilitation following conditions like stroke or hemiplegia. The home programs will last six weeks, with clear instructions and printed materials provided to support correct performance. During the study, patients' adherence and clinical progress will be assessed at the beginning and end of the six-week program using standardized tools such as the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale, Beck Depression Index, Visual Analog Scale for pain, Barthel Index for daily living activities, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and Health Assessment Questionnaire. Researchers will monitor mood, functional status, pain levels, and fear of movement to understand adherence patterns. The study will also evaluate patients' satisfaction and factors influencing their commitment to the home exercises, aiming to improve future rehabilitation strategies.

Researchers are evaluating advanced surgical simulation techniques for correcting complex skeletal deformities and abnormalities in children, adolescents, and young adults with musculoskeletal disorders. These conditions often involve rare and severe abnormalities in bone, joint, and muscle-tendon development, affecting multiple limbs and presenting challenges in standardizing treatment and predicting outcomes. The study focuses on improving surgical planning and support tools using 3D modeling and printing technologies, aiming to enhance precision, safety, and reproducibility of surgeries. The study involves surgeries to correct bone deformities, supported by preoperative virtual surgical planning and the use of patient-specific instruments created through 3D printing. These include Patient-Specific Instruments (PSI) and Graft-Specific Instruments (GSI), which are designed to improve surgical accuracy. The research is conducted within specialized 3D laboratories at the Musculoskeletal Apparatus Network centers, where surgical simulations and planning procedures are systematically organized and standardized. Participants will undergo assessments including radiological follow-up and clinical-functional evaluations at the time of surgery and after one year. Researchers will measure outcomes such as the degree of skeletal correction achieved, operating room times, fluoroscopy times, blood loss, and any intra- or peri-operative complications. The suitability of the patient-specific instruments and bone grafts will also be evaluated. The study aims to improve surgical quality and efficiency while monitoring participants throughout a one-year period post-surgery.

Researchers are evaluating an artificial intelligence (AI)-based skeletal recognition system designed to support real-time, interactive rehabilitation exercise programs for breast cancer survivors experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms related to endocrine therapy. This trial focuses on symptoms caused by aromatase inhibitors, such as joint pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness, which can significantly impact quality of life. The study aims to develop a home-based AI-assisted rehabilitation program tailored to improve exercise adherence and alleviate these symptoms. Participants in the intervention group will follow a home-based exercise program alongside standard rehabilitation guidance, including education on endocrine therapy-related bone and joint symptoms, psychological support, and health education. The exercise program includes aerobic warm-up routines and functional training 3 to 5 times per week, with sessions lasting 15 to 30 minutes at a moderate intensity level. The control group will receive no additional intervention beyond standard care. During the 12-week treatment period, researchers will assess outcomes such as grip strength, joint function using M-SACRAH and WOMAC scales, and range of motion. Secondary measures include symptom severity, inflammation markers, vitamin D levels, bone mineral density, and genetic markers at baseline and after 3 months. Participants will be monitored for changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and overall physical function to evaluate the program's impact.

Influenza infection poses a significant public health challenge due to seasonal outbreaks and pandemics causing widespread illness and death. This study focuses on hospitalized neonates and infants under 6 months of age with complicated influenza infection, a group with limited treatment options because their immune systems are immature and no licensed vaccines exist for this age. The study aims to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of intravenous (IV) zanamivir in this vulnerable population as part of a Pediatric Investigation Plan by GlaxoSmithKline. Participants who are hospitalized neonates and infants under 6 months, including preterm infants with at least 28 weeks post-menstrual age, will receive daily IV zanamivir infusions for up to 5 days. Depending on clinical symptoms, participant condition, or virological tests, this initial treatment may be extended for up to 5 additional days. The dosing is individually determined based on corrected age, body weight, and renal function, with the initial dose followed by twice-daily maintenance doses as guided by the principal investigator. Each participant will be involved in the study for up to 24 days, including a treatment period of up to 10 days and a 14-day post-treatment follow-up. Researchers will collect blood samples to measure zanamivir levels at various time points, monitor viral load changes, and assess safety by tracking adverse events and vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and body temperature. The study also monitors for any emergence of resistance to zanamivir during the follow-up period to better understand treatment outcomes and safety in this young population.

Researchers are developing and managing the AnovaOS Network Powered Patient Registry to collect real-world patient data across various diseases globally. This registry aims to capture meaningful clinical information on diagnosis, infection course, treatments, and outcomes to enhance understanding and support future clinical trials and observational studies. The registry serves as a resource to better understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat diverse health conditions. Participants' data will be gathered through this registry, which can also be used to recruit individuals for clinical trials and observational studies on promising therapies. The registry collects ongoing information on patients' health status and treatments, enabling long-term monitoring and analysis. This observational study does not involve administering treatments but focuses on data collection and management. Participants will provide information through questionnaires or instruments, either personally or via an informed proxy, with an expected follow-up once per year. The research team will assess natural history, clinical effectiveness, safety, and quality of care over a period of five years. The registry includes patients with a wide range of conditions, and participation requires informed consent and the ability to complete follow-up data collection.