Ankylosing SpondylitisNCT00056719
Genetic Determinants of Ankylosing Spondylitis Severity - Longitudinal Study
An observational study of Ankylosing Spondylitis, run by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study will explore how genes may influence the severity of ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Patients have inflammation of the joints of the spine, which may cause the bones of the spine to fuse, resulting in difficulty performing daily activities. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- How many people
- 299 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 19 Jun 2003to not given
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS@@@
Who may be able to join
- Participants will:
- have been diagnosed with AS by the modified New York criteria.
- be able to read English or Spanish
- Potential participants will be excluded if:
- have a spondyloarthropathy other than AS
- are unable to provide informed consent
Show all 10Show fewer
- anticipate not being available or able to comply with the schedule of study visits
- Study entry is not limited by sex or ethnic origin. Children will necessarily be excluded because spondyloarthropathy developing before age 16 is considered a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and because different age-appropriate measures of functional disability and pain would be needed.
- Participants will be recruited by physician referral and self-referral. Information about the study will be mailed to local rheumatologists and posted on the NIH website. Notices will also be sent to local chapters of the Arthritis Foundation and the Spondylitis Association of America.
- The accrual ceiling will be unlimited. Approximately 700 patients will be enrolled from all study sites. Approximately 150 patients will be recruited at the NIH. Other sites participating in this study are Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; the University of California-San Francisco, and University of Texas-Houston Health Sciences Center.
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
About this study
This study will explore how genes may influence the severity of ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Patients have inflammation of the joints of the spine, which may cause the bones of the spine to fuse, resulting in difficulty performing daily activities.
Patients who developed ankylosing spondylitis after age 16 may be eligible for this study. The onset of disease is dated to the first appearance of symptoms of inflammatory low back pain or restricted spinal motion. Patients with a spondyloarthropathy other than AS may not participate. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood test, and review of their medical records. They will also complete a questionnaire about their disease symptoms and medical history.
Those enrolled in the study will return to the NIH Clinical Center at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60 months after screening for examination of the joints, measurement of flexibility of the spine, and a blood test. They will also complete symptoms assessment and coping questionnaires. At the first study visit (screening visit), x-rays will be taken of the pelvis, lower back, and neck, if recent X-rays (within 1 year) are not available. These x-ray studies will be repeated on all patients every two years during the study (at 24 and 48 months after screening).
Read the detailed description
The susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is largely genetically determined. Recent studies suggest that the severity of AS is also influenced by genetic factors. The goal of this study is to identify genes that influence the severity of AS. We hypothesize that genetic markers of susceptibility, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms, and genes that regulate inflammation and bone formation, influence the severity of AS.
In this prospective longitudinal study, we will test the association of several genetic markers with the severity of AS. Approximately 700 patients will be included. Measures of AS severity will be patient-reported pain and stiffness, functional disability, patient and physician global assessments, joint counts, number of tender entheses, spinal mobility, and laboratory measures of inflammation. These measures will be assessed every 6 months for 5 years. We will also evaluate new laboratory tests as measures of the activity of AS.
Identifying genetic markers that are associated with differences in the severity of active inflammation in AS will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease by suggesting mechanisms and pathways involved in the development of long-term damage.
- Conditions
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Keywords
- Arthritis, Spondylarthropathy, Spine, Hereditary, Disability, Natural History, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Spondyloarthropathy, Spondyloarthritis, AS
- Medical subject headings
- Spondylitis, Ankylosing, Arthritis, Spondylarthropathies, Spondylarthritis
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS
identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS
Measured: 10 years
Secondary outcomes (3)
identify genetic polymorphisms of AS
Changes in symptoms of AS over time
Genetic var. in 1st degree rel. of AS pt
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2003 (estimated)
- Study start19 Jun 2003
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Ankylosing SpondylitisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 299 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
- Sponsor type
- US National Institutes of Health
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Robert A Colbert, M.D., Principal investigator, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00056719
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 030131
- Other IDs
- 03-AR-0131
- Status last verified
- 4 Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Mar 2003
- Last updated
- 8 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: not yet known
Publications
Boyer GS, Templin DW, Bowler A, Lawrence RC, Everett DF, Heyse SP, Cornoni-Huntley J, Goring WP. A comparison of patients with spondyloarthropathy seen in specialty clinics with those identified in a communitywide epidemiologic study. Has the classic case misled us? Arch Intern Med. 1997 Oct 13;157(18):2111-7.
PubMed 9382668Mau W, Zeidler H, Mau R, Majewski A, Freyschmidt J, Stangel W, Deicher H. Clinical features and prognosis of patients with possible ankylosing spondylitis. Results of a 10-year followup. J Rheumatol. 1988 Jul;15(7):1109-14.
PubMed 3262757Amor B, Santos RS, Nahal R, Listrat V, Dougados M. Predictive factors for the longterm outcome of spondyloarthropathies. J Rheumatol. 1994 Oct;21(10):1883-7.
PubMed 7837155
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Genetic Determinants of Ankylosing Spondylitis Severity - Longitudinal Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00056719
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 030131
- Conditions
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Keywords
- Arthritis, Spondylarthropathy, Spine, Hereditary, Disability, Natural History, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Spondyloarthropathy
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 299 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)US National Institutes of Health
- Study start
- 19 Jun 2003 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Mar 2003 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will explore how genes may influence the severity of ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Patients have inflammation of the joints of the spine, which may cause the bones of the spine to fuse, resulting in difficulty performing daily activities.
Patients who developed ankylosing spondylitis after age 16 may be eligible for this study. The onset of disease is dated to the first appearance of symptoms of inflammatory low back pain or restricted spinal motion. Patients with a spondyloarthropathy other than AS may not participate. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood test, and review of their medical records. They will also complete a questionnaire about their disease symptoms and medical history.
Those enrolled in the study will return to the NIH Clinical Center at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60 months after screening for examination of the joints, measurement of flexibility of the spine, and a blood test. They will also complete symptoms assessment and coping questionnaires. At the first study visit (screening visit), x-rays will be taken of the pelvis, lower back, and neck, if recent X-rays (within 1 year) are not available. These x-ray studies will be repeated on all patients every two years during the study (at 24 and 48 months after screening).
Detailed description
The susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is largely genetically determined. Recent studies suggest that the severity of AS is also influenced by genetic factors. The goal of this study is to identify genes that influence the severity of AS. We hypothesize that genetic markers of susceptibility, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms, and genes that regulate inflammation and bone formation, influence the severity of AS.
In this prospective longitudinal study, we will test the association of several genetic markers with the severity of AS. Approximately 700 patients will be included. Measures of AS severity will be patient-reported pain and stiffness, functional disability, patient and physician global assessments, joint counts, number of tender entheses, spinal mobility, and laboratory measures of inflammation. These measures will be assessed every 6 months for 5 years. We will also evaluate new laboratory tests as measures of the activity of AS.
Identifying genetic markers that are associated with differences in the severity of active inflammation in AS will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease by suggesting mechanisms and pathways involved in the development of long-term damage.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS@@@
Key inclusion criteria (10 listed)
- have been diagnosed with AS by the modified New York criteria.
- be able to read English or Spanish
- have a spondyloarthropathy other than AS
- are unable to provide informed consent
- anticipate not being available or able to comply with the schedule of study visits
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS
Time frame: 10 years
identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS
3 secondary outcomes
identify genetic polymorphisms of AS
Changes in symptoms of AS over time
Genetic var. in 1st degree rel. of AS pt
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Dec 2025.
- Background: PubMed 9382668Boyer GS, Templin DW, Bowler A, Lawrence RC, Everett DF, Heyse SP, Cornoni-Huntley J, Goring WP. A comparison of patients with spondyloarthropathy seen in specialty clinics with those identified in a communitywide epidemiologic study. Has the classic case misled us? Arch Intern Med. 1997 Oct 13;157(18):2111-7.
- Background: PubMed 3262757Mau W, Zeidler H, Mau R, Majewski A, Freyschmidt J, Stangel W, Deicher H. Clinical features and prognosis of patients with possible ankylosing spondylitis. Results of a 10-year followup. J Rheumatol. 1988 Jul;15(7):1109-14.
- Background: PubMed 7837155Amor B, Santos RS, Nahal R, Listrat V, Dougados M. Predictive factors for the longterm outcome of spondyloarthropathies. J Rheumatol. 1994 Oct;21(10):1883-7.
- NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web PageLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. not yet known
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Robert A Colbert, M.D. principal investigator
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Ankylosing Spondylitis, run by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
identify genes assoc. w/ severity of AS (time frame: 10 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00056719, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.