The CAP study is a multicenter, observational, clinical study in patients with systemic sclerosis. The study aims at determining the usefulness of nailfold videocapillaroscopy and patient-specific disease-related factors in predicting the occurrence of digital ulcers within a 6-month observation period. Patients with cutaneous forms of systemic sclerosis (limited or diffuse), with or without history of digital ulceration are eligible. The study will enroll 500 patients at 70 centers.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
For all patients:
* Signed informed consent prior to enrollment
* Male or female, ≥ 18 years of age
* Diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) according to the American College of Rheumatology and/or limited cutaneous SSc or diffuse cutaneous SSc according to LeRoy criteria
For patients with no history of digital ulcers (DU) and no DU at enrollment only:
\- Enrollment must be within 2 years of the first physician-documented non-Raynaud clinical feature
Exclusion Criteria:
* SSc sine scleroderma (without any skin involvement)
* Patients who underwent stem cell transplantation
* Participation in interventional clinical trials within 3 months prior to enrollment and/or during the study
* Inability to undergo Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy (NVC) assessment (e.g., inability to extend fingers sufficiently)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.