Southend On Sea

Researchers are evaluating the performance of an artificial intelligence software called Osteo Signal in detecting the risk of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years and older. The study aims to determine how accurately the software can identify osteoporosis risk using chest x-ray images compared to the standard method of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry DXA. This observational study uses past imaging data collected from individuals who have previously undergone both chest x-rays and DXA scans. The main intervention being assessed is the Osteo Signal AI software, which analyzes chest x-rays to screen for osteoporosis risk. There are no new treatments or procedures for participants since the study is retrospective and uses existing imaging data collected within six months of each other. The study involves comparing the AI softwares results against the DXA scan findings to classify bone status. Participants are not directly involved as the study uses existing medical images and records, including chest x-rays and DXA scans performed after January 2010. Researchers will analyze these images along with metadata such as age and sex. The primary outcome is the accuracy of classifying bone status as osteoporosis or non-osteoporosis. Secondary outcomes include more detailed classifications such as osteopenia and normal bone status. The study is designed to monitor the softwares performance without requiring additional visits or interventions from participants.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a medicine called BI 1815368 in adults aged 18 and older who have a specific eye condition known as centre-involved diabetic macular edema CI-DME. This condition affects vision, and the study aims to find out if BI 1815368 can improve sight and to determine the best dose. The trial is a phase 2, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study designed to assess efficacy, safety, and tolerability. The study has two parts. In the first part, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving BI 1815368 tablets and the other receiving placebo tablets that look identical but contain no medicine. In the second part, participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups three groups receive different daily doses of BI 1815368, and one group receives placebo. All participants take the tablets twice daily for about 11 months. Participants stay in the study for about one year, during which they visit the study site 16 times. At these visits, doctors check vision, document any health problems, and take detailed eye pictures. Researchers compare changes over time between the groups to evaluate if the treatment affects vision. The main outcome measured is whether participants gain at least 10 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study ETDRS letters in vision at Week 48 compared to baseline.

This research aims to evaluate how the medicine nerandomilast affects lung fibrosis in adults with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases who have lung fibrosis. The study includes adults 18 years and older who have not shown improvement in lung function after standard immunosuppressant treatment. Participants have interstitial lung disease related to rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, Sjgrens disease, or mixed connective tissue disease. Participants are randomly divided into two groups one group receives nerandomilast tablets and the other receives placebo tablets that look identical but contain no medicine. Tablets are taken twice daily for at least 26 weeks and up to 1 year. Participants continue their usual immunosuppressant treatments during the study. Participants stay in the study for about 7.5 to 13 months and visit the study site 9 to 10 times. During visits, lung function tests and chest imaging are performed, and participants complete questionnaires about symptoms and quality of life. Researchers compare results between the groups to assess the effects of nerandomilast while monitoring health and any side effects throughout the study.

This research aims to compare the effects of oral anticoagulation versus no anticoagulation in patients aged 55 and older who have had recent episodes of transient atrial fibrillation triggered by stress and have additional factors that increase their risk of stroke. The study is a multinational, investigator-initiated, prospective, randomized, open-label trial evaluating the impact of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants NOACs on preventing stroke and other serious cardiovascular events. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive one of several NOACs, such as edoxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban, prescribed by their physician for the duration of the follow-up, or to a control group that will not receive anticoagulants unless medically indicated during the study. The choice of specific NOAC and dose adjustments are determined by the prescribing doctor. The study excludes patients with certain conditions like chronic atrial fibrillation, severe kidney or liver disease, recent cardiac surgery, or bleeding risks. During the study, participants will be monitored for up to 24 months to assess the occurrence of non-hemorrhagic stroke, systemic embolism, vascular mortality, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial thrombosis, amputation, and venous thromboembolism. Regular follow-up will include evaluation of these outcomes to measure the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation compared to no anticoagulation. Participants will provide informed consent and remain under medical supervision throughout the trial.

Researchers are evaluating whether skipping additional axillary treatment for patients with early-stage breast cancer who had cancer in their lymph nodes before chemotherapy but show no remaining cancer in those nodes after treatment is as effective as the standard approach. This study focuses on disease-free survival and reducing the risk of lymphoedema five years after treatment. It is a randomized, open, multicenter trial including patients with specific breast cancer stages and confirmed nodal metastases. Participants will all receive standard therapies including HER2-targeted treatment, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall if needed. They will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will not get further axillary treatment such as lymph node removal or radiotherapy, while the other group will receive these axillary treatments according to local guidelines. Follow-up visits will occur annually for at least five years. During the study, participants will undergo assessments to monitor disease-free survival and self-reported lymphoedema using specific questionnaires. Additional evaluations include arm function, quality of life, recurrence rates, survival, and cost-effectiveness analyses. The total study duration is planned for 120 months, including setup, recruitment, follow-up, analysis, and reporting.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH is a common condition affecting many men as they age, often leading to lower urinary tract symptoms LUTS. Due to a growing and aging population, the number of men diagnosed with BPH continues to rise, making treatment for this condition one of the most performed surgical procedures in urology. This research aims to establish a global, ongoing registry that collects detailed demographic and clinical data on men undergoing medical or surgical treatments for BPH to better understand treatment patterns and outcomes worldwide. The registry records information from men aged 18 and older with a primary diagnosis of BPH and LUTS who are receiving either medication or surgical intervention. Data collected includes baseline demographics, peri-operative details, and follow-up outcomes with no actual interventions performed by the registry team. The study uses validated patient-reported outcome measures like the International Prostate Symptom Score IPSS, Sexual Health Inventory for Men SHIM, and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction MSHQ-EjD, along with clinical data such as quality of life, urine flow rates, prostate-specific antigen levels, and complications related to treatment. Participants provide data over a period of three years with ongoing follow-up and no fixed end date, allowing for long-term observation of treatment effectiveness and safety. The registry also ensures data security and quality through encryption, user access controls, and regular audits. Researchers will analyze outcomes including symptom scores, quality of life, post-void residual urine, and complications like incontinence, bleeding, urinary tract infections, and erectile dysfunction, aiming to inform future BPH management and research.

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 the safety and performance of remote monitoring functions in ALIZEA, BOREA, and CELEA pacemakers for patients with bradycardia. This observational clinical investigation focuses on the devices Right Atrial Autothreshold RAAT, Right Ventricular Autothreshold RVAT, and remote alert features. The study aims to document these functions over time to better understand their reliability and safety. Participants will be included soon after pacemaker implantation and followed for 48 months. Follow-up visits occur both on-site and remotely at 1 to 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 48 months after inclusion. During these visits, the remote monitoring functions and the pacing systems performance will be measured, and safety will be continuously monitored throughout the study. Throughout the study, researchers will assess cardiac pacing thresholds, technical remote alerts, and the usability of the pacemaker and remote monitoring systems. Evaluations include Right Atrial and Right Ventricular pacing thresholds at multiple timepoints up to 48 months. Participants will undergo scheduled check-ins involving measurements, monitoring, and safety assessments, with the total study duration lasting four years after enrollment.

Researchers are evaluating the outcomes of different coronary artery bypass grafting techniques in women with heart disease. The trial compares multiple arterial grafting MAG to single arterial grafting SAG to see if using multiple arterial grafts improves major heart and brain-related events and quality of life. This international randomized clinical trial includes 2,300 women to assess differences in survival, stroke, heart attacks, repeat surgeries, and hospital readmissions, as well as physical and mental health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives a single arterial graft using the left internal thoracic artery plus additional venous grafts. The other group receives multiple arterial grafts, including the left internal thoracic artery and at least one other arterial graft such as the right internal thoracic artery or radial artery, with possible additional arterial grafts. The study uses the infrastructure of an existing trial and follows patients for at least 2.5 years after surgery. During the study, researchers collect data on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, along with quality of life measured by general and disease-specific questionnaires. Physical and mental health symptoms are also assessed. Follow-up includes tracking deaths, strokes, heart attacks, repeat procedures, and hospital stays. The trial aims to provide detailed information on outcomes and quality of life in women undergoing coronary bypass surgery over a long-term period.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a medicine called BI 690517 combined with empagliflozin in adults with chronic kidney disease CKD who are at risk of their kidney condition getting worse. The study includes people with or without type 2 diabetes and those who may already be taking medicines like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ACEi, angiotensin receptor blockers ARB, or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors SGLT2i. The goal is to understand if adding BI 690517 can help delay worsening kidney function, hospitalizations due to heart failure, or cardiovascular death. After a run-in period where all participants take empagliflozin and other standard medications, participants are randomly assigned to receive either BI 690517 tablets or placebo tablets once daily alongside empagliflozin. The run-in period confirms that participants are stabilized on empagliflozin before randomization. The treatment phase continues for about three to four years until enough kidney or heart-related events have occurred to compare outcomes between the two groups. During the study, participants visit the study site about five times in the first six months and then every six months thereafter. At these visits, health is regularly checked through blood and urine tests, blood pressure and weight measurements, kidney function monitoring, and collection of any side effect information. The main outcome measured is the time until the first occurrence of kidney disease progression, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death.