Precision care for giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
Riesenzellarteriitis - Wege Zur "Precision Medicine"
This long-term observational project will follow adults with giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica to see if regular imaging, eye exams, blood tests, and immune cell profiling can better predict aortic complications and steroid side effects over 5–10 years.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wuerzburg University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Würzburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT07084480 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a non-interventional cohort study enrolling adults with a primary diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) for long-term follow-up. Participants will undergo standardized clinical exams, serial imaging (including MRI and orbital MRI with OCT), serologic testing, and immunophenotyping to identify prognostic factors and patient clusters. The protocol includes evaluation of a contrast-sparing MRI technique and focused searches for rare lymphocyte populations that might predict recurrence or treatment response. Outcomes of interest are aortic aneurysms/dissections and glucocorticoid-associated adverse events over a 5–10 year period.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a primary diagnosis of giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica who can give informed consent and attend follow-up visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 18, those who cannot consent, or patients unable to undergo the required imaging or follow-up visits are unlikely to gain benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could help doctors predict and prevent aortic complications, reduce steroid harms, and personalize monitoring and treatment for people with GCA and PMR.
How similar studies have performed: Prior imaging cohorts have shown that modern vascular imaging can detect large-vessel involvement in GCA, but combining reduced-contrast MRI and detailed immunophenotyping for personalized risk prediction is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age greater or similar to 18 years * Primary diagnosis of GCA or PMR Exclusion Criteria: * Age under 18 years * lack of capacity to consent
Where this trial is running
Würzburg
- Universitätsklinikum Würzburg — Würzburg, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michael Gernert — Wuerzburg University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Michael Gernert
- Email: gernert_m1@ukw.de
- Phone: +4993120140100
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.