Disease risk factor – European Clinical Trials Information Network

Study of cardiovascular disease prevention using carotid ultrasound in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated with amlodipine, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, ezetimibe and bempedoic acid

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:06:50 +0000

This clinical trial focuses on preventing cardiovascular disease in people who have chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. The study aims to evaluate whether using carotid ultrasound helps identify and treat patients who may be at high risk for heart and blood vessel problems.

The study uses several medications to help lower cholesterol and protect the heart, including combinations of amlodipine and atorvastatin, as well as rosuvastatin with ezetimibe. Another medication being tested is bempedoic acid. These medications are taken by mouth daily over a period of up to 48 months.

The researchers will monitor participants to see if they develop any serious heart or blood vessel problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, or other complications that require hospital treatment. This will help determine if using ultrasound scanning to guide treatment decisions leads to better outcomes compared to current standard treatment approaches.

Study on Colchicine to Reduce Heart Artery Inflammation in HIV Patients Over 50 with High Cardiovascular Risk

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:04:38 +0000

This clinical trial is focused on studying the effects of the medication colchicine in people living with HIV who are at high risk for heart disease. The study aims to see if colchicine can help reduce inflammation in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply the heart. Inflammation in these arteries can increase the risk of heart problems, especially in individuals with HIV who are over 50 years old and have a high cardiovascular risk.

Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either colchicine or a placebo. The trial will last for 96 weeks, during which time the effects of the treatment on coronary artery inflammation will be monitored. The study will also look at changes in heart plaque, which is a buildup of substances in the arteries, and other markers of inflammation in the blood. These assessments will help determine if colchicine can effectively reduce heart-related risks in the study participants.

The trial is designed to be double-blind, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is receiving colchicine or the placebo until the study is completed. This approach helps ensure that the results are unbiased. The ultimate goal is to understand whether colchicine can be a beneficial treatment for reducing heart disease risk in people with HIV, potentially leading to better health outcomes for this population.

Study on Rosuvastatin and Placebo for Patients with Statin Intolerance and High Cardiovascular Risk

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:27:54 +0000

This clinical trial is focused on individuals who experience statin intolerance, which means they have difficulty taking statin medications due to side effects. Statins are commonly used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. The study also involves people with a high cardiovascular risk, such as those with a history of heart disease or a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which is an inherited disorder that causes high cholesterol levels.

The treatment being studied is a medication called rosuvastatin, which is a type of statin. Participants in the study will receive either rosuvastatin or a placebo, which looks like the medication but does not contain the active ingredient. The purpose of the study is to see if a personalized approach, called an “n=1 study,” can help people continue using statins by reducing the negative effects they might expect to feel, known as the “nocebo effect.”

During the study, participants will take part in a randomized, double-blind trial, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is receiving the actual medication or the placebo. The study will also include counseling to discuss each participant’s individual treatment results. This approach aims to increase the use of statins and reduce the need for other cholesterol-lowering treatments over a period of 12 months. The study will help determine if this method can improve the management of cholesterol levels in people who have previously struggled with statin medications.