Clinical Research Directory

A Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Inhaled AP01 in Participants With Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 doses of inhaled pirfenidone (AP01) versus placebo on top of standard of care in participants with PPF over 52 weeks.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography In Rheumatoid Arthritis Study

The Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Rheumatoid Arthritis study is part of the multinational, prospective, observational Autoimmunity and Atherosclerosis in Rheumatic Diseases cohort (https://atacc-rd.com) that includes comprehensive baseline and follow-up assessments at 3, 5, and 10 years. It comprises a main protocol and several optional modules, including a Cardiac Imaging Module, Biobanking Module, Pulmonary Module, and Anxiety and Depression Module. The study aims to advance understanding of cardiopulmonary and psychological comorbidities in rheumatoid arthritis, to improve early identification and management, and to enhance insights into underlying disease mechanisms-ultimately refining risk stratification and targeted prevention strategies. The study includes 4,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis enrolled through the Cardiac Imaging Module in the main protocol. Participants undergo coronary computed tomography angiography, pulmonary function testing, physical examination, questionnaires, and biobanking, supplemented by genetic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiome profiling.

Study on the Detection of Pleuropulmonary Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The aim of the study is to develop a standardized, risk-adapted screening protocol for detecting pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To assess the risk of these manifestations, a comprehensive range of functional and clinical evaluations will be performed and correlated with structural lung assessments using computed tomography (CT).

Teleconsultation Approach to CTD-ILD Care Delivery in Rural UnderServed CommuniTies (TRUST Initiative)

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) is a rare and complex condition that affects some individuals with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can lead to inflammation and progressive scarring of the lungs, significantly affecting quality of life and overall prognosis.1 Current clinical guidelines recommend that patients with CTD-ILD receive care at specialized academic medical centers with multi-disciplinary teams experienced in managing interstitial lung disease (ILD).2 These centers, however, are often located in urban areas, making access particularly challenging for patients living in rural and underserved regions. In rural, medically underserved areas, the nearest ILD centers can be three or more hours away, posing substantial barriers to timely, consistent, and expert care. These logistical constraints make it difficult for patients residing in rural areas to access the high-quality, specialized care required to manage CTD-ILD effectively. The Teleconsultation Approach to CTD-ILD Care Delivery in Rural Underserved Communities (TRUST Initiative) it looking to address this gap in access to specialized care. The TRUST Initiative aims to evaluate whether integrating teleconsultation into a personalized, multidisciplinary care model, through regular, structured teleconsultation visits, can enhance the quality and coordination of treatment for patients and potentially other rural underserved patient populations. This model utilizes a regional rheumatologist, a regional pulmonologist and, an interstitial lung disease (ILD) specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. This model seeks to overcome the geographic and logistical challenges that prevent patients from accessing specialty care. It also offers a replicable care model for managing other complex chronic diseases in underserved rural communities by leveraging collaborative care, virtual health technology, and structured communication workflows. The study will not only track clinical outcomes such as pulmonary function but also evaluate patient satisfaction, highlighting both the effectiveness and acceptability of this care model. By addressing disparities in access to specialty care, the TRUST Initiative aims to inform future healthcare delivery strategies for rare and complex diseases in rural and underserved settings nationwide.

Physical Exercise Program for Adults With Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Context

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program that includes three exercise modalities (Aerobic, Limb Strength and Respiratory Muscle Strength) versus an exercise program that includes only one modality (Aerobic) in the context of a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program in adults with diffuse interstitial disease in the Araucanía Region, in terms of exercise tolerance. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted, with 2 parallel groups, with masked evaluator. This study will include adults with a diagnosis of Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease who are referred according to their medical condition and who agree to participate through an informed consent form. Participants will be recruited in the community and will be referred to the Physical Function and Rehabilitation Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de La Frontera, where they will be evaluated and subsequently randomly assigned to each group. The evaluation consists of a series of tests and instruments to collect information regarding dyspnea, exercise tolerance, muscle strength and lung function, among others. The intervention corresponds to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, where both groups will receive education in psychological and nutritional aspects, self-care and physical activity. The difference between groups is that the control group will receive an intervention with an aerobic exercise modality and the experimental group will receive three exercise modalities together (aerobic, strengthening of extremities and strengthening of respiratory muscles).The program will last 10 weeks, with sessions twice a week, and at the end of the program the initial parameters will be re-evaluated. Data analysis will be performed using descriptive statistical elements, such as distribution tables and graphs. The inferential analysis will be performed using Chi2 for the association between the intervention and the main outcome variable, in addition to the calculation of RR to assess the magnitude of the association; the secondary outcome variables will be calculated for the primary outcome variable association; secondary outcome variables will be analyzed using Student's t-test.