Optic Nerve Sheath Ultrasound in Giant Cell Arteritis

NCT ID: NCT05749094

Last Updated: 2025-08-07

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

285 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-31

Study Completion Date

2029-03-31

Brief Summary

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The Sonographic Assessment of the Optic Nerve Sheath in Giant Cell Arteritis (SONIC-GCA) study will evaluate the performance of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), measured via ultrasound, to diagnose and monitor GCA. SONIC-GCA builds upon our previous pilot studies and will answer the following questions:

1. What is the performance of ONSD to identify patients with new-onset, active GCA?
2. Is ONSD useful for monitoring GCA relapses during follow-up?
3. What is the intra- and interobserver reliability of ONSD measurements?
4. Does ONSD differ between patients with and without GCA-related retinal findings?

Detailed Description

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SONIC-GCA is a prospective cohort and validation study conducted in centers of the Canadian Vasculitis Research Network (CanVasc).

Conditions

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Giant Cell Arteritis Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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GCA group

Ascertainment of GCA will occur 6 months after study inclusion and will require all the following features: 1) initial symptoms and clinical evolution consistent with GCA; 2) at least one positive diagnostic test for GCA, including ultrasound of temporal arteries, temporal artery biopsy, cranial MRI or cranial PET; and 3) satisfies the 2022 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for GCA.

Study visits :

Baseline - Month 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 + relapse visit (if applicable)

Optic nerve sheath ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The patients are examined in a supine relaxed position. The probe is gently placed on the closed eyelid with a standard ultrasound gel and adjusted to a suitable angle to display the optic nerve entry into the eyeball. Measurements are done 3mm distal to the posterior aspect of the ocular globe. Ultrasosonographic 14L5 probe is used with a safe thermal index, mechanical index and intensity limit. All patients will also undergo a bedside fundoscopic examination. Official ophthalmology consultation will be requested in patients with visual symptoms or abnormal fundoscopy.

Standardized GCA assessment

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Clinical assesment, blood test review, temporal/axillary artery ultrasound

Non-GCA group

Participants who do not meet the composite clinical test validation for GCA (above).

Study visits : Baseline and Month 6 (phone follow-up)

Optic nerve sheath ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The patients are examined in a supine relaxed position. The probe is gently placed on the closed eyelid with a standard ultrasound gel and adjusted to a suitable angle to display the optic nerve entry into the eyeball. Measurements are done 3mm distal to the posterior aspect of the ocular globe. Ultrasosonographic 14L5 probe is used with a safe thermal index, mechanical index and intensity limit. All patients will also undergo a bedside fundoscopic examination. Official ophthalmology consultation will be requested in patients with visual symptoms or abnormal fundoscopy.

Standardized GCA assessment

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Clinical assesment, blood test review, temporal/axillary artery ultrasound

Interventions

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Optic nerve sheath ultrasound

The patients are examined in a supine relaxed position. The probe is gently placed on the closed eyelid with a standard ultrasound gel and adjusted to a suitable angle to display the optic nerve entry into the eyeball. Measurements are done 3mm distal to the posterior aspect of the ocular globe. Ultrasosonographic 14L5 probe is used with a safe thermal index, mechanical index and intensity limit. All patients will also undergo a bedside fundoscopic examination. Official ophthalmology consultation will be requested in patients with visual symptoms or abnormal fundoscopy.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Standardized GCA assessment

Clinical assesment, blood test review, temporal/axillary artery ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

To be included in SONIC-GCA, participants must meet all the following criteria:

1. Age \> 50 years.
2. Referral to a GCA clinic for suspected, new-onset GCA.
3. Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent form.
4. Willingness to comply with study visits and procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

An individual who meets any of these criteria will be excluded from SONIC-GCA:

1. Referral for a suspected GCA relapse.
2. Current use of systemic glucocorticoids, with the following duration at the baseline visit: ≥ 14 consecutive days of oral glucocorticoids in the previous 30 days, or ≥ 7 consecutive days of oral glucocorticoids if intravenous glucocorticoids were administered in the previous 30 days.
3. Current use of any conventional or biologic immunosuppressive therapy.
4. Known previous medical history of retinal diseases, optic nerve diseases, demyelinating diseases, normotensive hydrocephalus, intracranial tumors (benign or malignant), or any conditions associated with intracranial hypertension.
5. Any condition that impairs the ability to perform optic nerve sheath ultrasound or fundoscopy.
Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

99 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Estrie University Integrated Health and Social Services Center - University Hospital of Sherbrooke

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

St. Joseph's Health Care London

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Centre Integre Universitaire de Sante et Services Sociaux du Nord de l'ile de Montreal

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jean-Paul Makhzoum

Director - Vasculitis Research Program, Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Jean-Paul Makhzoum, MD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Vasculitis Clinic, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, University of Montreal

Locations

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St-Joseph's Health Care London

London, Ontario, Canada

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Sinai Health - Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

MUHC - McGill University

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Vasculitis Clinic, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'ile de Montreal

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Countries

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Canada

Central Contacts

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Jean-Paul Makhzoum, MD

Role: CONTACT

5143382222 ext. 2725

Facility Contacts

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Lillian Barra

Role: primary

519-646-6100

Christian Pagnoux

Role: primary

416-596-4200

Arielle Mendel

Role: primary

4388556233

Jean-Paul Makhzoum, MD, MSc

Role: primary

Guylaine Marcotte

Role: backup

Roger Yang

Role: primary

514-252-3400

Patrick Liang

Role: primary

819-346-1110

Related Links

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http://vasculitemontreal.com

Vasculitis Clinic - University of Montreal

Other Identifiers

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20201890

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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