BIRDD: Biomarkers in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosis - Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are three diseases where early diagnosis remains a major challenge. However, early diagnosis is the main determinant for a better prognosis. In the early stage, symptoms may be nonspecific and often difficult to establish a differential diagnosis between rheumatic diseases and other diseases, namely infectious and cancer diseases.
• Diagnosis of AS, RA, SLE according the mentioned criteria;
• Ability to provide informed consent;
• If entering the study on NSAIDs, tramadol, combination of paracetamol and codeine or hydrocodone, and/or non-opioid analgesics, subject must be on stable dose(s) for at least 14 days prior to the screening visit;
• If entering the study on oral corticosteroids, subject must be on a stable dose of prednisone (≤ 10 mg/day), or oral corticosteroid equivalents, for at least 14 days prior to the screening visit;
• If entering the study on MTX, leflunomide, SSZ, and/or hydroxychloroquine, subject must be on a stable dose of MTX (≤ 25 mg/week) and/or SSZ (≤ 3 g/day) and/or hydroxychloroquine (≤ 400 mg/day) or leflunomide (≤ 20 mg/day) for at least 28 days prior to the screening visit. A combination of up to two background csDMARDs is allowed;
• Subject is judged to be in good health as determined by the Principal Investigator based upon the results of medical history, laboratory profile, physical examination, x-Ray performed at the Screening Visit.