This observational study aims to develop and validate quantitative magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers as measures of disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This includes patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA).
Who can participate
Age range
12 Years – 24 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:
* Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
* For cases, patients will have clinical diagnosis of JIA: enthesitis-related arthropathy, extended oligoarthritis or polyarthritis (defined according to ILAR criteria)
* For controls, patients will have a diagnosis of mechanical back pain (though to arise from muscles, bones, ligaments or discs), with normal inflammatory markers
* Age 12-24
Exclusion Criteria:
* Contra-indication to MRI scan (e.g. metal foreign object)
* Unable to give consent
* Unable to speak English
* Unable to tolerate an MRI scan (e.g. due to claustrophobia, contrast allergy)
* Renal or hepatic failure (eGFR \< 30ml/min for renal failure, where applicable)
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
1
Percentage agreement between novel biomarker measurements (apparent diffusion coefficient and fat fraction) and existing scores of inflammation (SPARCC STIR score)