LCI Testing Possible Tool for Identifying ILD Risks in Scleroderma Patients
Trial Objectives
Scleroderma is an autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system attacks the skin and other tissues, causing thickening and hardening. One of the areas the disease can target is the lungs, where thickening and inflammation can lead to lung scarring (fibrosis), which ultimately can cause interstitial lung disease (ILD). Researchers are evaluating a specific type of lung function test called the Lung Clearance Index (LCI) to determine if it can help identify which scleroderma patients are at risk of developing ILD.
Volunteers for this study will undergo spirometry and LCI testing in a single clinic visit. They also will review their medical history with the researchers. After that clinic visit, annual phone calls will be used to determine who develops symptoms of lung disease over the next 5 years.
Who Can Participate
Adults with scleroderma who do not have evidence of underlying scleroderma lung disease based on imaging tests or abnormal lung function test results.
Age: 21-75 Gender: Any
Estimated Time Commitment
One 60-minute clinic visit, followed up by one phone call a year for the next 5 years.
Payment & Reimbursement
Payment: Not Provided
Travel Reimbursement: Not Available
Trial Contact
For more information, contact:
Richard Meehan, MD
303.398.1475
Trial Location
National Jewish Main Campus, Denver, CO
Trial Sponsors
National Jewish Health, The Shah Foundation
Principal Investigators
Richard T. Meehan, MD, FACP
Co-Investigators
Mehrnaz Maleki Fischbach, MD