Abergavenny

Researchers are conducting a multi-centre observational study to better understand giant cell arteritis GCA and polymyalgia rheumatica PMR, conditions mainly affecting people over 50 years old. The study aims to identify genetic factors that influence susceptibility to these diseases to provide new insights into how they develop. It includes both retrospective participants with confirmed diagnoses and prospective participants suspected of having these conditions, with some patients also enrolled in a registry monitoring tocilizumab treatment for relapsing or refractory GCA. The study collects detailed clinical, imaging, and molecular data, including genetic and proteomic analyses, from participants to characterize disease subtypes and impacts. Researchers also assess quality of life through patient-reported outcomes and track long-term prognosis by linking to health records. The study explores environmental factors and co-existing conditions to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of disease activity, especially for patients receiving synthetic or biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Participants provide information during baseline assessments, including blood and urine samples for analysis, and complete questionnaires about their symptoms and quality of life. Follow-up occurs through health record review over an average of one year to evaluate diagnosis and disease outcomes. The primary measure is genetic susceptibility, with secondary outcomes focusing on disease characteristics, life impact, diagnosis, and disease activity. The study is sponsored by the University of Leeds and started in 2005, continuing through 2028.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for community-acquired pneumonia CAP, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units ICUs. This trial also adapts to study treatments for respiratory pandemics like COVID-19. The goal is to determine which treatment strategies improve outcomes for patients with severe pneumonia, using a flexible, ongoing approach that can test multiple therapies simultaneously and update as new information becomes available. Participants receive different treatment strategies based on random assignment to study groups. Treatments include various antibiotics, steroids, antivirals, immune modulators, anticoagulation methods, and ventilation strategies. Some treatment options have been closed to recruitment, reflecting the trials adaptive nature. The trial includes several domains targeting specific infections such as influenza and COVID-19, with dosing and duration guided by clinical practice and local guidelines. During the study, participants are monitored closely with assessments including survival up to 90 days, days alive without organ support in ICU, ICU and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days, organ failure-free days, and quality of life up to 6 months. Researchers collect detailed data on patient outcomes, organ support needs, and hospital discharge status. The study runs until February 2028, with ongoing evaluation to improve pneumonia treatment strategies in ICU settings and during respiratory pandemics.

Rapid Diagnostic Centres RDCs are designed to quickly diagnose patients who show common symptoms that might be related to cancer, such as weight loss, fatigue, cough, or a general practitioners suspicion. This observational study aims to develop new blood or non-blood tests that help doctors identify which patients have cancer and which are at higher risk, so they can be monitored or directed to appropriate screening programs. The study focuses on improving diagnosis and risk assessment in patients referred to RDCs, many of whom may not have cancer but could be at risk due to inherited or environmental factors. The study collects breath, blood, and saliva samples from up to 1000 patients attending RDCs to develop tests that can detect cancer or assess cancer risk through polygenic risk scores. Samples are taken at the first appointment and follow-up visits if necessary. Patients provide consent and are assigned a unique Study ID to keep their information confidential. Clinical data, patient health questionnaires, and, for some, anonymized scans from medical records are also collected to support the development of diagnostic tools. Participants will provide samples and complete health surveys at their visits, with samples shipped to labs for analysis. The study will follow patients for 12 months after joining to confirm diagnoses and observe outcomes. Researchers will analyze clinical, genetic, imaging, and symptom data to develop models that distinguish between cancer and non-cancer cases. Patient data and samples will be stored for ten years to support future research and improved diagnostic methods.