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Every Cure Starts With a Clinical Trial
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Inland Rheumatology Clinical Trials is currently enrolling studies in a number of areas. If you cannot find what you are looking for today, please check back frequently for new studies
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease of the spine that causes painful swelling of the disks between the vertebrae and in the joints between the spine and pelvis. The treatments for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) focus on reducing the pain, restoring flexibility to prevent a deformity of the spine, and to help the person lead the most normal life possible. Treatment strategies involve drug therapies, exercises and surgery when necessary
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a build up of crystals in a joint. It most often affects the joint of the big toe, but can but it can affect other joints as well. Intensely painful, swelling joints (most often in the big toe or other part of the foot) and/or bouts of arthritis that come and go may indicate gout. Gout may occur in a single attack or become a recurrent problem. During acute attacks, gout can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected joint. Periods between acute attacks are usually symptom-free. Over time, gout can cause permanent damage to the affected joints and the kidneys. Fortunately, these long term factors are less likely to occur with proper treatment. The earlier gout is detected and treated, the better it can be managed. We have ongoing clinical trials studying novel therapies for the treatment of gout.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (also known as OA) is a common joint disease that most often affects middle-age to elderly people. It is commonly referred to as “wear and tear” of the joints, but we now know that OA is a disease of the entire joint, involving the cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and bone. Although it is more common in older people, it is not really accurate to say that the joints are just “wearing out.” It is characterized by breakdown of the cartilage (the tissue that cushions the ends of the bones between joints), bony changes of the joints, deterioration of tendons and ligaments, and various degrees of inflammation of the joint lining (called the synovium). Although it can occur in any joint, usually it affects the hands, knees, hips, spine, or great toes.
There is no proven treatment yet that can reverse joint damage from OA. The goal of osteoarthritis treatment is to reduce pain and improve function of the affected joints. A combination of physical therapy, drug therapy and, sometimes, surgery are typically recommended. However, these frequently do not provide adequate relief and patients live in chronic pain. Novel and emerging pharmacological therapies are being evaluated for this chronic condition.
Please contact us for more information
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes bones to lose density over time. These thinning bones become brittle and more likely to fracture. Bone is living tissue that is in a constant state of regeneration. The body removes old bone (called bone resorption) and replaces it with new bone (bone formation). By their mid-30s, most people begin to slowly lose more bone than can be replaced. As a result, bones become thinner and weaker in structure. This accelerates in women at the time of the menopause. In men bone lost usually becomes more of an issue around age 70. Osteoporosis is silent because there are no symptoms (what you feel). Sometimes you might notice height lost by noticing your clothes are not fitting right. Other times it may come to your attention only after you break a bone.
If you already have osteoporosis, medications are available to slow or even stop the bones from getting weaker. These medicines also can decrease the chance of having a fracture. Novel and emerging therapies are being evaluated for the treatment of osteoporosis if standard therapies failed.
Please contact us for more information
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in some patients with psoriasis. This particular arthritis can affect any joint in the body, and symptoms vary from person to person. Research has shown that persistent inflammation from psoriatic arthritis can lead to joint damage. Fortunately, available treatments for are effective for most people.
Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, disease-modifying agents, and biologics. If you have tried and failed above treatment regimen and would like to evaluate the possibility of clinical trial program.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and deformities in many joints, mainly the hands and feet. This inflammation can also affect organs such as the eyes and lungs. Other common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include loss of energy, low fevers, loss of appetite, dry eyes and mouth, and rheumatoid nodules that grow beneath the skin. While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, treatment can help reduce these symptoms, improve function and prevent the disease from progressing. Studies show that people who receive early treatment for RA feel better sooner and more often, and are more likely to lead an active life. They also are less likely to have the type of joint damage that leads to joint replacement. Common treatments include DMARDs, biologic response modifiers and surgery to correct any severe deformities.
If you have not responded or could not tolerate traditional therapies and is looking for newer emerging and novel agents with different mechanism of actions,.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a disease in which the immune system is overactive and does not function properly. The immune system attacks the body and creates inflammation in the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and other organs of the body. People with lupus can have times of very active disease, called a flare, and times where the disease is mostly quiet, called remission.
There is no cure for lupus, but proper treatment can help significantly. Lupus can be life-threatening, especially when it affects vital organs such as the heart, lungs, brain or kidneys. The goal of treatment is to stop the inflammation by suppressing the immune system, helping with symptoms, and protecting organs from permanent damage.
Most patients will require treatment with corticosteroids (prednisone) to control the inflammation. Corticosteroids are often given to these patients for several years. Another common medication to control disease activity is hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). Other medications called immunosuppressive drugs are used to lower the immune system to stop the attack. These might include azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept), methotrexate, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), belimumab (Benlysta), and rituximab (Rituxan). Other medications help control pain, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen.
Because current treatment regimen often are inadequate in controlling lupus symptoms and have side effects, many new and emerging therapies are being developed.
Sjogren’s
Sjögren’s syndrome is an inflammatory disease that can affect many different parts of the body, but most often affects the tear and saliva glands. Patients with this condition may notice irritation, a gritty feeling, or painful burning in the eyes. Dry mouth (or difficulty eating dry foods) and swelling of the glands around the face and neck are also common. Some patients experience dryness in the nasal passages, throat, vagina and skin. Swallowing difficulty and symptoms of acid reflux are also common.
“Primary” Sjögren’s syndrome occurs in people with no other rheumatic disease. “Secondary” Sjögren’s occurs in people who have another rheumatologic disease, most often rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Treatment is designed to lessen the most bothersome symptoms.
- Dry eyes may be treated with artificial tears, eye-lubricating ointments, or cyclosporine liquid.
- If Candida is present, it may be treated with sugar-free miconazole or nystatin preparations.
- Tiny plugs can be placed in the tear drainage ducts to help the tears stay on the surface of the eye.
Some things you can do to ease symptoms include:
- Sip water throughout the day
- Chew sugarless gum
- Avoid medicines that can cause mouth dryness, such as antihistamines and decongestants
- Avoid alcohol
Talk with your dentist about:
- Mouth rinses to replace minerals in your teeth
- Saliva substitutes
- Drugs that help your salivary glands make more saliva
To prevent dental decay caused by mouth dryness:
- Brush and floss your teeth often
- Visit the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings
Disease-modifying agents used to treat Sjogren’s syndrome related arthritis, rash, lung disease, vasculitis, and systemic symptoms include:
- Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
- Methotrexate
- Azathioprine
- Mycophenolate
- Cyclophosphamide
- Rituximab
If you have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome and is either intolerant to or have failed usual therapies, please contact us for potential novel therapies through clinical trial programs.