Understanding genetic factors in Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Official title: UK GCA Consortium: Clinical and Immunogenetic Characterization of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
Run by University of Leeds · NCT04102930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to find out if certain genes make people more likely to get Giant Cell Arteritis or Polymyalgia Rheumatica, focusing on patients aged 50 and older who have these conditions.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 4500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Leeds Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | tocilizumab |
| Locations | 76 sites (Canterbury, Kent and 75 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 10, 2005 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | March 30, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT04102930 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals aged 50 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of GCA or PMR.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are unwilling or unable to provide informed consent will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to characterize the clinical and immunogenetic aspects of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) by recruiting both prospective and retrospective patient cohorts. The primary goal is to identify genetic determinants that contribute to the susceptibility of these conditions, which could provide insights into their underlying mechanisms. Additionally, a subset of patients will be monitored in a post-marketing surveillance registry for those receiving tocilizumab for relapsing or refractory GCA. The study involves multiple centers and focuses on patients aged 50 and above, with a firm diagnosis of GCA or PMR.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of GCA and PMR, potentially reducing complications and enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in identifying genetic factors related to autoimmune conditions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Willing to self-identify an ethnic group, such as Caucasian, Asian, Afro-Caribbean. * Have a firm clinical diagnosis of GCA or PMR, or (for patients identified prospectively) GCA or PMR should be more likely than any alternative explanation for the patient's symptoms. * Able and willing to give informed consent. Patients will be 50 years of age or over, unless both biopsy-proven and a clinically classical case of GCA. Exclusion Criteria: • Patient unwilling or unable to give fully informed consent.
Where it's running
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Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital
Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Whiston Hospital
Prescot, Merseyside, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Nevill Hall Hospital, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Abergavenny, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Aylesbury, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Bangor, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Basildon University Hospital, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Basildon, United Kingdom Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Basingstoke, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Bath, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Bristol, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Queen's Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom Recruiting -
West Suffolk Hospital, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chelsea, United Kingdom Recruiting -
West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chelsea, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals, Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Chertsey, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Countess of Chester Hospital, Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
Chester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Christchurch Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Christchurch, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Croydon University Hospital, Croydon Health Service NHS Trust
Croydon, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Darlington Memorial Hospital, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Darlington, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Derby Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Derby, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Doncaster, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Exeter, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Gateshead, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Harrogate and District Hospital, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Harrogate, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust
Hull, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Airedale General Hospital, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Keighley, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Westmorland General Hospital, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
Kendal, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Lancaster Infirmary, University Hospitals of Morecambe NHS Foundation Trust
Lancaster, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Leeds, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Leicester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Aintree University Hospital, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Trust
Liverpool, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Cwm Taf University Health Board
Llantrisant, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
University College London Hospital, University College London NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Freeman Hospital, The Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Newcastle, United Kingdom Recruiting -
North Tyneside General Hospital, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
North Shields, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Northampton General Hospital, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Northampton, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Peterborough City Hospital, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Peterborough, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Derriford Hospital, University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
Plymouth, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Poole Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Poole, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Minerva Health Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Preston, United Kingdom Recruiting -
Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Preston, United Kingdom Recruiting
+26 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ann Morgan — University of Leeds
- Study coordinator: Louise Sorensen
- Email: MRCTarget@leeds.ac.uk
- Phone: 0113 343 7764
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Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Understanding biomarkers in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
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-
National database for Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica
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-
Supplemental hydrocortisone for adrenal insufficiency during stress
This study is testing if adding hydrocortisone can help people with polymyalgia rheumatica or giant cell arteritis who have low adrenal function feel better during stressful times compared to a placebo.
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How optic nerve swelling changes after starting steroids in giant cell arteritis
This study tests how quickly the optic nerve sheath swelling decreases after starting glucocorticoids in people with newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.