-Diagnostic and disease activity assessment in primary vasculitis and polymyalgia with focus on quantitative imaging and biomarker. and treatment outcomes

We have a large longitudinal local cohort of GCA patients at our institution. An important focus is on diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). We developed, the now internationally as new diagnostic standard accepted ultrasound (US) compression sign of the temporal artery for GCA. We are longitudinally studying vessel imaging.I am interested in the differential diagnoses of polymyalgia treatment and outcome measures. We work on the first national Swiss cohort for GCA and PMR patients, which had been implemented within the SCQM in 2020.

-Young patients with rheumatic diseases in between pediatric and adult care.

About 50% of children with a rheumatological disease need further medical care in adulthood. Hence, these patients will experience a change from the pediatric to the adult healthcare setting. In addition to changing the medical care team, these adolescents need to assume responsibility for managing their illness in daily life, which so far had been done mainly by their parents. Crucial for a successful transition into adult healthcare is a well-planned transition built on an individual, structured management plan. Yet, the Swiss pediatric rheumatology clinics organize this transition process very diversely. There is no plan all clinics generally agree and adhere to.

Thus, the overall objectives and aims of the HEROES study https://www.ukbb.ch/en/research/research-groups/heroes-study.php is to develop, implement, and evaluate a transitional care program for adolescents and young adults with a rheumatic disease moving from pediatric to adult settings in Switzerland.

The HEROES study is a collaborative effort involving medical centers all over Switzerland, including Aarau, Basel, Bellinzona, Bern (n= 2), Chur, Lausanne, Luzern, Geneva, St. Gallen, Winterthur, and Zürich.

All twelve pediatric rheumatology centers, along with the adult center they primarily transfer their patients to, will participate in the study.

Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Daikeler

Profiles & Affiliations

Department of Clinical Research

Faculty of Medicine > Forschung > Department of Clinical Research > [FG] Daikeler Thomas | Professorship / Head of Research Group

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[FG] Daikeler Thomas | Professorship / Head of Research Group