Studies immune cells in Achilles tendons of people with psoriatic arthritis
Looks at immune cells in tendon samples from adults with psoriatic arthritis and Achilles enthesitis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Immune-Competent Cell Manifestations in Psoriatic Arthritis Achilles Tendons
Key facts
- Where
- Odense and Silkeborg, DenmarkSee the 2 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with psoriatic arthritis who have pain where the Achilles tendon meets the heel bone. An ultrasound scan must show inflammation at that spot.
- Age
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Psoriatic arthritis that meets the CASPAR criteria, with pain at the Achilles tendon insertion. Ultrasound must show inflammation there (enthesitis).
Main reasons for not taking part
- Another inflammatory rheumatic disease besides psoriatic arthritis
- Ultrasound signs of a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon
- Not wishing to take part, or not able to be evaluated for the project
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Source: NCT03248284, who can take part
Where in Denmark
- Odense University HospitalOdense, DenmarkContact: Torkell J. Ellingsen, Prof MD PhDTaking people
- Diagnostic CenterSilkeborg, DenmarkContact: Maja S. KragsnaesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Odense University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT03248284
- Record updated
- 5 December 2025
- Original description
Tendon pathologies (enthesitis) are a characteristic component of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and are observed in 35% to 50% of PsA patients. The Achilles tendon is one of the most commonly affected sites. This condition often causes great morbidity and loss of quality of life, and response only suboptimal to current intervention strategies. One of the main obstacles for the development of effective treatment methods is that the disease mechanisms remain poorly understood. To our knowledge, no one has yet ascertained the presence and function of immune-competent cells and inflammatory markers in tendons tissue from PsA patients suffering from Achilles enthesitis.Read full original descriptionShow less
Stereological Quantification of Immune-Competent Cells in Biopsies From Painful Achilles Tendons of Psoriatic Arthritis Patients With Ultrasonic Verified Enthesitis: An Exploratory Prospective Cohort Study
Tendon pathologies (enthesitis) are a characteristic component of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and are observed in 35% to 50% of PsA patients. The Achilles tendon is one of the most commonly affected sites. This condition often causes great morbidity and loss of quality of life, and response only suboptimal to current intervention strategies. One of the main obstacles for the development of effective treatment methods is that the disease mechanisms remain poorly understood. To our knowledge, no one has yet ascertained the presence and function of immune-competent cells and inflammatory markers in tendons tissue from PsA patients suffering from Achilles enthesitis.
Inclusion: Fulfilling the CASPAR criteria; Insertional Achilles tendon pain; Ultrasonic findings of inflammatory disease at the painful Achilles tendon insertion (= enthesitis) defined as abnormally hypoechoic (loss of normal fibrillar architecture) and/or thickened tendon at its bony attachment, seen in two perpendicular planes that may exhibit a Doppler signal or bony changes, including enthesophytes, and erosions.
Exclusion: Other inflammatory rheumatic diseases than PsA; Ultrasonic signs of complete rupture of the Achilles tendon; Not wishing to participate or not suited for project evaluation.