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Prediction of Dysphagia Severity and Diagnosis of Its Possible Causes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Led by Tanta University · Updated on 2026-05-08
137
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This cross-sectional study aims to identify risk factors that predict how severe dysphagia is in RA patients. It also evaluates whether a procedure called flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy can diagnose dysphagia caused by joint issues in RA and whether both oropharyngeal and esophageal types of dysphagia occur in these patients. The study uses flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy, also known as Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES), to examine the nose, throat, and airway. This diagnostic test will score dysphagia severity and can assess multiple regions including the larynx. The study includes a single group of RA patients meeting specific classification criteria, with no comparison groups. The FEES procedure typically takes 10 to 25 minutes, with additional clinical, laboratory, and radiological tests lasting 1 to 2 days depending on circumstances. Participants will be RA patients visiting inpatient or outpatient clinics who are over 18 years old, alert, and cooperative. They will undergo the FEES exam and other assessments to measure dysphagia severity and its possible causes. Researchers will collect and analyze data on swallowing function and joint-related effects. The study monitors safety and outcomes through these evaluations. Total participation time may vary based on clinical testing needs but includes both the diagnostic procedure and supplementary tests.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Dysphagia in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients with Rheumatoid arthritis defined by the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative (ACR/EULAR) 2010 classification criteria.
- Patients aged above 18 years old, well-orientated, and cooperative.
You will not qualify if you...
- Concomitant cancer diagnosis or pregnancy.
- Jaw-related traumas, teeth and gum diseases.
- Other rheumatologic conditions.
- Other comorbidities.
- Other causes of TMJ arthritis, patients with TMJ, palatal or tongue congenital abnormalities, and patients who underwent TMJ injections in the last six months.
- Patients with any language disorders or intellectual disabilities affecting comprehension or expression.
- Patients with anatomical anomalies impeding flexible nasofibroscopy.
- Any apparent causes of dysphagia other than rheumatoid arthritis.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 1 to 2 days
Participants undergo flexible fiberoptic pharyngolaryngoscopy (FEES) to examine the nose, throat, and airway for diagnosing possible causes of dysphagia and assess its severity.
1 to 2 visits depending on clinical, laboratory, and radiological tests
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Faculty of medicine, Tanta University
Tanta, Elgharbia, Egypt, 31151
Actively Recruiting
2
Rheumatology, rehabilitation, and physical medicine department Faculty of medicine, Tanta University
Tanta, Elgharbia, Egypt, 31151
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Aliaa MA Farag, MD
A
Ayman Fouad, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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