Clinical Research Directory

The Use of Infrared Cameras for Detecting Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children, causing persistent joint inflammation, pain, and functional impairment. Current monitoring relies on clinical scores, laboratory markers, and imaging, which are often resource intensive. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free method that detects skin temperature changes potentially reflecting joint inflammation. Evidence in pediatric populations is limited, but IRT could provide an objective, reproducible, and child-friendly tool. This study aims to evaluate IRT's diagnostic accuracy by comparing it with clinical scores, laboratory markers, and ultrasound Doppler, to assess its utility as a complementary monitoring tool. Patients with JIA will undergo clinical examination, routine blood tests, and IRT at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Control patients will participate in a single IRT session and, a CRP/ESR/blood test; if a biological workup is already planned as part of their routine care, existing results will be collected, and no additional sampling will be performed. IRT will follow a standardized protocol, including an acclimatization period, predefined positioning, and acquisition of three consecutive images per joint. After completion of the study, JIA patients will resume their standard-of-care follow-up.

Efficacy of Topical Insulin Gel as a Coupling Medium in Phonophoresis-Assisted Physiotherapy vs Liposomal Insulin in Management of Joint Inflammation

Although most clinical applications of topical insulin have centered on diabetic wound healing, emerging evidence in animal models supports its use in musculoskeletal inflammation. In osteoarthritic models, insulin was shown to downregulate cartilage-degrading enzymes (MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS4) in synovial fibroblasts by activating the insulin receptor and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, indicating direct synovial anti-inflammatory effects3. From a physiotherapeutic perspective, therapeutic ultrasound facilitates deeper tissue heating and enhances local circulation, potentially improving the dermal and transdermal absorption of topically applied agents. Therefore, using insulin in gel form as a coupling medium offers dual benefits: enhanced drug delivery via ultrasound and localized modulation of inflammatory processes in joints and soft tissues. This synergy could lead to superior pain relief and functional recovery compared to standard ultrasound gel. * Primary Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical nano-insulin gel on pain reduction and functional improvement compared to standard insulin gel combined with the Phonophoresis technique. * Secondary Objectives: To assess quality of life markers as changes in joint mobility, strength, and incidence of local/systemic adverse effects.

A Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of a Single Dose of LEO 158968

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the effect on pain of a single, subcutaneous (SC) dose of LEO 158968 in participants with gout flares.

Evaluating Replacement of Standard-of-care Low Dose Computer Tomography (CT) Scans With Radiation-free Bone Imaging by Deep-learning Augmented Zero Echo Time (DL-ZTE) Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRT)

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine how effectively bone structures of the human skeleton can be visualized using Deep Learning (DL) augmented Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in individuals with inflammatory and degenerative joint changes, compared to Computed Tomography (CT). MRI is a technique that operates without the use of X-rays. The main question it aims to answer is: 1. Can DL MRI accurately depict bone structures as well as CT? 2. Can DL MRI be used as an alternative to CT to avoid exposure to X-rays in the future? Researchers will compare DL MRI scans to CT scans to see if DL MRI can effectively replace CT in visualizing bone structures without the use of radiation. Participants will: 1. Undergo MRI scans of their skeletal system that will then be processed using DL. 2. Undergo CT scans of the same body region for comparison purposes.