Hassfurt

Researchers are conducting a global study to understand the impact of moderate to severe alopecia areata (AA), non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) on adolescents and adults. This study aims to assess the burden these conditions place on patients' quality of life and daily functioning in a large real-world population. The study involves participants diagnosed by a physician with one of the three conditions: AA, NSV, or HS. There are no interventional treatments or medications being tested in this study, as it is observational in nature. Data collection focuses on patient-reported outcomes and measures that evaluate disease severity and its effects. Participants will complete various questionnaires and assessments related to their condition, such as the Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS) for AA, the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) for scalp hair loss in AA, the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) and Vitiligo Quality of Life Score (VitiQoL) for vitiligo, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4) for HS. These tools help researchers understand how symptoms affect quality of life and disease severity. The study collects information up to the day of the study visit.

Researchers are evaluating two medications, prednisolone and colchicine, for treating acute gout attacks, a common rheumatic disease where urate crystals cause severe joint pain. This study focuses on patients treated in general practice, including those with common health conditions often excluded in past research. The goal is to determine if prednisolone is comparable or only slightly less effective than colchicine in reducing pain during gout attacks. This phase 4 trial is conducted as a double-blind, randomized, controlled study across multiple university sites in Germany. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either prednisolone or colchicine tablets for five days, with both groups also receiving placebo tablets to maintain blinding. The study uses the double-dummy method to ensure neither patients nor doctors know which treatment is given. Additionally, participants have the option to undergo a dual-energy CT scan of their feet to detect urate crystal deposits, which may provide insights into disease burden. During the study, patients will visit their general practitioner twice: once at the start and again after about one week. They will complete daily diaries tracking pain, joint swelling, tenderness, and any additional pain medication use for six days. Blood tests will check uric acid levels, inflammation, and kidney function. After four weeks, participants will be contacted by phone to assess recovery, recurrence, treatment, work incapacity, and side effects. The main measurement is the highest pain level reported on day 3 after starting treatment.