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Program for Individuals with an Elevated Risk of Spondyloarthritis (PIERS)

To longitudinally study individuals at risk for spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthritis associated diseases.


Why this Research Matters

The Program for Individuals with an Elevated Risk of Spondyloarthritis (PIERS) is a registry proposed by the affiliate members of the University of Colorado Program to Advance Spondyloarthritis Treatment (U.C.PAST). The purpose of PIERS is to identify individuals at risk for spondyloarthritis and study these individuals in a longitudinal manner in order to better understand the development of spondyloarthritis. Results from this study may provide information that contributes to our understanding of the complex relationships among immune dysregulation, genetic risk, subclinical phenotypes, and established spondyloarthritis phenotypes.


Who can Participate

Adult

First degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals diagnosed with spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), reactive arthritis (ReA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease associated arthritis/enteropathic arthritis (IBDAA/EAA), or juvenile spondyloarthritis (jSpA). First degree family members are a parent, child, or sibling related by blood to someone suffering from one of these diseases, and this hereditary link puts them at greater risk of developing spondyloarthritis themselves. 1. First degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals diagnosed with spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), reactive arthritis (ReA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease associated arthritis/enteropathic arthritis (IBDAA/EAA), or juvenile spondyloarthritis (jSpA). First degree family members are a parent, child, or sibling related by blood to someone suffering from one of these diseases, and this hereditary link puts them at greater risk of developing spondyloarthritis themselves. 2. Extra-articular symptoms/diseases that place them at increased risk of developing spondyloarthritis. This includes individuals with: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis without arthritis (Ps), and anterior uveitis (AU). Individuals with these conditions are at-risk for developing spondyloarthritis 3. Established disease controls. These are patients with existing AS, axSpA, ReA, PsA, IBDAA, or jSpA. 4. None of these conditions. Control subject in this study will consist of individuals who are evaluated for the above mentioned auto-immune diseases (IBD, Ps, AU, AS, axSpA, ReA, PsA, IBDAA, or jSpA), but who are found not to have an inflammatory disease. Pregnant women will not be enrolled while pregnant, but will be eligible for enrollment following their pregnancy. This protocol will also exclude individuals who are under 18 years of age, prisoners, those unable to undergo an MRI, or those who are cognitively impaired. Standard screening for MRI consists of: presence of a pacemaker / cardiac defibrillator (both exclude MRI), presence of stents, stimulator implants, electronic implants, or implanted infusion devices (need to review particular implant to determine if MRI is possible), injury to the eye involving metallic object/fragment (if so, x-ray orbits is necessary), internal electrodes/wires to heart, brain or spinal cord (need to review particular implant to determine if MRI is possible), cochlear, otologic, or other ear implant (need to review particular implant to determine if MRI is possible).


Study ID

Protocol Number: 17-0977

Meet the Team

Image of Principal Investigator

Liron Caplan, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator