Determinants of Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease Trajectories

Recruiting

• Conditions: Atopic Dermatitis; Psoriasis; Lichen Planus; Alopecia Areata; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Prurigo Nodularis; Cutaneous Lupus; Rosacea

• Registration Number: NCT05928169
• Lead Sponsor: University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

Brief Summary

Although it is well known that the clinical expression and course of chronic inflammatory skin diseases are highly variable, there are insufficient epidemiological data on this, and the factors that determine the manifestation, clinical features and course are also largely unknown. There are currently no reliable markers that could predict or delineate patient subgroups to support patient management. The aim of this project is to identify clinical and molecular factors that correlate with disease, disease subtypes and progression through in-depth long-term clinical characterization of patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases and examination of individual biomaterials.

Detailed Description

Chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis (Pso) and Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are very heterogeneous diseases. Onset, clinical features, disease severity, individual trigger factors and response to therapy vary widely between patients and over time, presenting a clinical challenge for diagnosis, counseling, and individualization of management. With the growing interest in inflammatory skin diseases, the need has been recognized to better investigate their natural course and trajectories, associations with environmental and lifestyle factors, and clinical and molecular features underlying their heterogeneity. Initial pilot studies suggested disease subtypes that differ molecularly and/or clinically; however, molecular profiles in particular are subject to variation over time and not necessarily stable. To confirm and extend such preliminary observations, a larger cohort of patients will be studied with careful longitudinal clinical characterization as well as repeatedly obtained specimens, in order to gain deeper insights into disease dynamics. In particular, we will search for clinical and molecular factors that correlate with disease progression and subtypes, and investigate variability in the regulation of molecular mechanisms over time and at resolution and flare-ups.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-05-01
• Study First Submitted: 2023-06-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-06-22
• Study First Posted: 2023-07-03
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-17
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-22
• Primary Completion: 2032-04-30
• Study Completion: 2032-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1000

Inclusion Criteria

• dermatologist-diagnosed inflammatory skin disease
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• subject and/or the legal guardians are not able to give written informed consent
• pregnant and breastfeeding women
• concurrent participation in a clinical trial
• use of systemic immunosuppressive therapy or phototherapy during the last 4 weeks or receipt of biologics therapy (e.g. dupilumab, tralokinumab) within the last 3 months
• treatment of the target skin areas with topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors or emollients 24 hours before sample collection

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physician-assessed global disease activity	Baseline, week 2, week 4, every 3 months up to 2 years	Change in Investigator Global Assessment (IGA, 0-5)
Patient-reported global disease activity	Baseline, week 2, week 4, every 3 months up to 2 years	Change in Patient Global Assessment (IGA, 0-5)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Molecular features	Baseline, week 2, week 4, every 3 months up to 2 years	Molecular and histopathological profiles in lesional skin and blood compared across diseases, over time and in response to therapy

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein; 🇩🇪 Kiel, Germany