VCRC Longitudinal Protocol for Giant Cell Arteritis: 5502

VCRC Longitudinal Protocol for Giant Cell Arteritis:  5502

Brief description of study

The study is being done to learn more about Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), a disease that affects the blood vessels and can cause swelling of the arteries around the neck and head (carotid). The purpose of this study is to discover new biological markers (biomarkers) in patients with GCA that will: a) measure the amount of active disease occurring at any given time b) predict what types of problems patients are at risk for in order to help choose the best treatment c) predict whether patients will respond to specific treatments We will collect clinical information, information from research questionnaires, and blood and urine samples. Patients will be in the study for 15 years. We are not studying any new or experimental treatments.

Detailed description of study

Clinical information and blood and urine specimens will be collected at your usual clinic visits. The types of information collected will include medical history details, medication use, physical exam findings, results of laboratory and diagnostic imaging tests (x-rays, MRIs, PET scans). Blood and urine specimens will be collected and sent to research laboratories that are looking to discover proteins, genes, and other chemicals that could serve as new biomarkers. Biomarkers are molecules that that can be used to measure biological processes in the body. This study is a project of the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC), which is a consortium of investigators in major North American vasculitis centers. The VCRC is funded through the National Institutes of Health as a Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network with the purpose of promoting research in vasculitis.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions:
    Vascular Diseases,Vasculitis,Giant Cell Arteritis ( GCA),Giant Cell Arteritis,Temporal Arteritis,Giant Cell Arteritis,Temporal Arteritis
  • Age: Between 18 Years - 99 Years
  • Gender: All


Updated on 07 Jul 2023. Study ID: 816112

Interested in the study

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