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Tranexamic Acid in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Posterior spinal surgery for adult deformity is associated with high incidence of blood loss and need for blood transfusion and intraoperative blood salvage, with associated increased cost and risk for perioperative complications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is relatively inexpensive anti-fibrinolytic agent that has been proven effective for decreasing intraoperative blood loss in various surgical specialties. Intravenous TXA (ivTXA) is routinely used at our institution for adult spinal deformity cases. Meanwhile, topical TXA (tTXA) is an attractive alternative/adjunct to ivTXA used with good results in orthopedic arthroplasty and cardiac...
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Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture for Gastric Complications of Scleroderma
An innovative method of needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) using a newly developed watch-size stimulator is proposed. Weak electrical current will be delivered via skin surface electrodes to acupuncture points related to gastrointestinal functions. The stimulator can be attached to the skin near the acupuncture points and therefore daily activity of the patient does not need to be altered. Two experiments are designed to prove the feasibility of the proposed therapy for gastric complications of Scleroderma .
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Translation of a Diagnostic Test for Lupus Flare Prediction From Bench to Clinic
This study is investigating the development of a diagnostic test intended to predict flares in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Over a six-month period, the participant will donate blood samples for researchers to evaluate the types of proteins that are in their blood. During this time the participant will also visit a research physician to undergo a physical exam that will include an evaluation of the disease's level of activity. Questionnaires will be answered too, either via email, phone call, or a research app for android and iPhone devices. During this six-month period, if the participant experiences a lupus flare, they are...
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Treatment Goals in Psoriatic Arthritis
The PaGoPsA study objective is to ascertain if guideline-based psoriatic arthritis clinical care achieves individual patient goals as articulated by patients, and to identify predictors of achieving individual patient goals from psoriatic arthritis treatment.
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Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis With Methotrexate: Predictors of Response
This is an open-label, prospective study of methotrexate in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) designed to characterize the subset of RA patients that respond best to methotrexate monotherapy. Eligible patients will be adults with RA who are naïve to prior methotrexate or combination disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. Patients will be started on methotrexate at 15 mg once weekly, with the dose escalated to 20 mg once weekly at 8 weeks for patients not in remission. Patients will be assessed with joint counts and laboratory monitoring at study entry, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Primary endpoint will be achievement of...
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Treatments Against RA and Effect on FDG-PET/CT
In a randomized controlled clinical trial, investigators will compare the effects on [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) from two treatment regimens in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients deemed methotrexate inadequate responders (MTX-IRs). Two common RA treatments will be compared: triple therapy (sulfasalazine, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine) versus tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor (etanercept or adalimumab, plus background methotrexate for all subjects and hydroxychloroquine for subjects who were taking this at screening).
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Trial Evaluating Chemoprophylaxis Against Travelers' Diarrhea - Prevent TD
The purpose of this study is to develop evidence on the relative efficacy of 2 rifaximin chemoprophylaxis regimens for the prevention of Travelers' Diarrhea (TD) in a deployed setting. An additional purpose is to explore the effect of chemoprophylaxis on microbial flora and antimicrobial resistance, and obtain parameter estimates to inform a cost-effectiveness model of chemoprophylaxis in prevention of TD. Information from this study will be used to develop management guidelines for the prevention of TD among deployed (United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) military personnel. The study will be a multi-site, randomized,...
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Trial of Belimumab in Early Lupus
This two year study will evaluate the effects of giving belimumab (Benlysta) to patients with Early Lupus. Early lupus is a diagnosis of lupus within 2 years. Subjects will be randomized to receive belimumab or placebo during the first year. During the second year, subjects who were randomized to belimumab will be rerandomized to continue to receive belimumab or to receive placebo. The study will look at clinical effects as well as effects on the immune system.
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Trial of Unicompartmental Versus Total Knee Arthroplasty
This study is a prospective, randomized trial to compare patient outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis.
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Trial Outcomes for Massage: Caregiver-Assisted vs. Therapist-Treated
Given the modest effectiveness of current treatments and the burden chronic neck pain places on Veterans, the investigators' research proposal is significant in several regards. First, Trial Outcomes for Massage: Caregiver-Assisted vs. Therapist-Treated (TOMCATT) Study directly addresses a high priority area for the VA and is well aligned with the VHA Pain Management Strategy and VHA Pain Management Directive 2009-053. Second, because previous massage studies have included relatively small sample sizes, this trial will provide information vital to fill an evidence vacuum regarding effectiveness of two different massage treatments for ...
