CompletedNot Applicable

Microvascular and Fibrosis Imaging Study

United States63 participantsStarted 2013-02

Plain-language summary

In this study, Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF), Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI), Orthogonal Polarization Spectral Imaging (OPSI), Nail fold video capillaroscopy (NVC) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) will be used to assess differences in microvascular function and density of oral mucosa and skin in subjects with 1) autoimmune diseases with cutaneous involvement: systemic sclerosis (SSc), morphea, dermatomyositis, cutaneous lupus and vasculitis, 2) sickle cell disease (SCD) and 3) chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) compared to healthy subjects. The microvascular changes will be compared to overall treatment response in patients with scleroderma and chronic GVHD as assessments will be made before and after the patients start treatment for their diseases and determine if these imaging techniques provide valuable and reproducible data when assessing a patient's response to treatment for those diseases. In addition, the application of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) in determining cutaneous thickness in patients with SSc, GVHD and morphea will be evaluated. The investigators hypothesize that the vascular and dermal structures are altered in patients with autoimmune disease, SCD and chronic GVHD. In addition, they hypothesize that imaging modalities such as LDF, LDI, OCT, NVC, OPSI and ARFI can quantify such structural alterations and can be used to 1) detect early disease activity, 2) quantify and assess response to therapy and 3) quantify and correlate with overall disease activity.

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: * Subjects above the age of 18 who are capable of giving informed consent with one of the following conditions: Scleroderma, Graft vs Host Disease, Sickle Cell Disease, Morphea, Connective Tissue Disease with cutaneous manifestations: cutaneous lupus, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, patients who are undergoing HSCT, or patients with a diagnosis of hematologic and non-hematologic malignancies without GVHD * Control patients include normal healthy controls above the age of 18 who are capable of giving informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who experience discomfort, will be prone to experience discomfort or cannot tolerate the position required for the imaging studies. * Subjects unable to provide informed consent. * Smokers, patients unable to tolerate caffeine avoidance for the day of the study.

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.

What they're measuring

Microvascular density in oral mucosa and skin

Timeframe: over 24 months

Microvascular Perfusion in oral mucosa and skin

Timeframe: over 24 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01758250

SponsorDuke University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2018-02

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