NCT07839221
Combined Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) and Lung Ultrasound for ILD Screening in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Sclerosis
Not Yet Recruiting · Not specified · Assiut University · registry updated 2026-09-25
Inclusion and exclusion lines below are quoted from ClinicalTrials.gov. No match score is shown, because a score needs a person's age, biomarkers, and treatment dates. Confirm the record with the study team.
The goal of this observational study is to detect the lung affection in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) or Systemic sclerosis (SSc) before appearance of symptoms(Subclinical) using combined diagnostic modalities which are Lung Ultrasound and a blood marker called Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15). The main question it aims to answer is: Does the combination of these 2 modalities have the diagnostic accuracy similar to the gold standard test which is High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the Lungs? Does this combination have the potential to become a validated screening tool? Participants will be in 2 groups: the RA group and the SSc group, each will have the diagnostic combination and a reference HRCT for comparison of results.
Inclusion
- Adult patients (≥18 years) with confirmed diagnosis of RA or SSc.
Exclusion
- Active respiratory tract infection or acute exacerbation of pulmonary disease.
- Other causes of pulmonary fibrosis such as history of heavy smoking (\>15 pack-years) or significant environmental/occupational exposure known to induce pulmonary fibrosis.
- Pre-existing primary chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD, bronchial asthma, active tuberculosis, severe bronchiectasis).