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Understanding Spondyloarthritis Progression

This observational study aims to better understand spondyloarthritis (SpA), a group of bone and joint disorders that can cause back and joint pain. Researchers want to identify symptoms and medical tests that can predict if someone with SpA is at risk of developing more severe forms, like ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which can lead to spinal fusion. They will follow people with SpA and their family members for 10 years to see how the disease progresses. This study is open to individuals aged 2 to 99 years old who have known or suspected SpA, as well as their family members. The goal is to learn more about the natural course of SpA in both children and adults.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to enroll 2000 participants. It is not testing a specific intervention or drug.
What's involved
You would provide informed consent and be evaluated at the NIH Clinical Center. The study involves follow-up visits to track your condition over time.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 10 years to observe the progression of their condition.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT01422694

Natural History and Development of Spondyloarthritis

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 2–99Observational
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
~2,000 participants
Updated 2026-08-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Progression from SpA to Axial Spa and to AS
Measured over 10 years

Conditions

Arthritis
Spondylitis, Ankylosing

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Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Maryland1

Study leadership

  • Sahar Lotfi-Emran, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Who to contact

Sahar Lotfi-Emran, M.D.
[email protected]
(240) 205-2837
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Subjects with known or suspected SpA.
Family members of individuals with known or suspected SpA. Family members will not be asked to submit to bone marrow aspiration or interruption of therapy.
Controls for clinical, cellular, molecular, and biochemical assays, and genetic evaluation will be enrolled. Individuals who undergo phlebotomy specifically to provide a control specimen will be 6 years of age or older, and not pregnant.
Minor healthy volunteers undergoing imaging (SI and/or WB MRI) must be old enough to complete the procedure without sedation. Generally this requires that they be at least 6 years of age, so no healthy volunteers under age 6 will be enrolled.
Pregnant people with SpA are allowed to enrolled. Pregnant people will not be asked to undergo an MRI and will not be asked to submit to skin biopsy or bone marrow aspiration.

Exclusion

In the case of minors, unavailability of a parent or guardian to provide informed consent.
Presence of any medical condition that would, in the opinion of the investigators, confuse the interpretation of the study.
Unavailability, or inability to comply with the schedule for follow-up visits.
Children under the age of 2 years old.

What this trial measures

  • Progression from SpA to Axial Spa and to AS10 years

    sacroiliac damage on x-ray