Can a quick skin scan reveal hidden inflammation in arthritis?
NCT ID NCT07329556
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study will measure harmful molecules called AGEs in 300 people with various rheumatic diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis) and compare them to healthy volunteers. AGEs build up over time and can cause inflammation. Researchers will use a non-invasive device that shines a light on the skin to measure AGE levels. The goal is to better understand how AGEs relate to rheumatic diseases and whether this simple test could be used as a biomarker in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive skin test to help monitor or predict disease activity in rheumatic conditions.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It only measures AGE levels and does not test any therapy, so it cannot directly improve patient outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 300 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population consists of adult patients aged 18 to 75 years diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases who are followed at a tertiary rheumatology outpatient clinic, as well as age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without a history of rheumatic or chronic inflammatory disease. All participants will undergo a single, non-invasive skin autofluorescence measurement to assess advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 75 years * Diagnosis of an inflammatory rheumatic disease (including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, connective tissue diseases, Behçet disease, familial Mediterranean fever, or crystal arthropathies), confirmed by a rheumatologist * Healthy volunteers without a history of rheumatic or chronic inflammatory disease (for the control group) * Ability to undergo non-invasive skin autofluorescence measurement * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2) * Chronic kidney disease with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m² * Active malignancy or history of malignancy within the past 5 years * Presence of acute infection or acute inflammatory condition at the time of assessment * Secondary causes of systemic inflammation unrelated to the underlying rheumatic disease (e.g., uncontrolled endocrine disorders, chronic liver disease) * Use of medications known to markedly affect AGE accumulation or skin autofluorescence measurements (e.g., recent high-dose systemic glucocorticoids) * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Presence of significant skin conditions (e.g., extensive dermatitis, scars, tattoos, or burns) at the measurement site that may interfere with skin autofluorescence assessment * Inability to comply with study procedures or to provide informed consent
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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