Staff Specialist
Kjeld-Erik Byg
Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital
| Project management | ||
| Project status | Sampling ongoing | |
| Data collection dates | ||
| Start | 01.04.2015 | |
| End | 01.04.2020 | |
Cellular and molecular characterization of spinal fluid from patients with connective tissue disease patients and central nervous system disorders
Short summary
Central nervous system affection is rare in connective tissue disorders. This cohort study aims to characterize biomarkers in blood and spinal fluid that can lead to an earlier diagnosis in the course of the disease and eventually help in a patient's response to the treatment.
Rationale
Connective tissue disease is a heterogeneous group of rare diseases including: Sarcoidosis, Behcet's disease, Cogan syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. A patient's symptoms begin with mild to severe organ effects associated with the central nervous system. Patients are thoroughly examined and often require significant immunosuppressive treatment. In this study, the patients are followed over a two-year period. Disease activity and disease damage are recorded by clinical examinations, questionnaires, standard blood tests and scans. Spinal cord fluid, blood and urine are examined for biomarkers that can lead to an earlier diagnosis in the course of the disease and eventually help in a patient's response to treatment.
Description of the cohort
Inclusion criteria are patients over 18 years of age with suspected connective tissue disease and affection of the central nervous system, as well as patients with a known connective tissue disease and a clinical suspicion of recidivism of the disease.
Data and biological material
The following data is collected:
Information on demographic data, standard blood samples, spread of disease, scan response and current treatment.
Completed questionnaire regarding fatigue, cognitive function, depression and health information.
Blood samples, spinal fluid and urine samples are collected 3-5 times during the course of the study.
Publications associated with the project
Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital
- Keld-Erik Byg
- Professor and Consultant Torkell Ellingsen, PhD
- Professor and Consultant Zsolt Illes, PhD
- PhD student Tobias Sejbæk Mathiesen
- Professor and Consultant Isik Somuncu Johansen