To see if adding study drug to background SLE medications improves SLE.  Study 1 & 2 are identical but run separately. Study 1 (500 ptps) - 52 weeks - receive active study drug or fake drug. Study 2 (500 ptps) - 52 weeks - receive active study drug or fake drug. Study 3 - 52 weeks extension (receive real drug but are randomly re-assigned to 15 mg or 30 mg once a day. One safety follow-up visit, or phone call if a visit is not possible, 30 days after the last dose of study drug. The study drug is a pill, taken once a day by mouth. Assessments include lupus assessments by the study doctor, blood and urine tests, heart tracing (ECG), questionnaires that ask about lupus and how it affects quality of life.

Patients and continuing care residents living in rural Alberta travel long distances for rehabilitation services. Sometimes they just cope with loss of function and pain. During the COVID-19 epidemic continuing care residents have been unable to attend rehabilitation assessments unless their condition is urgent. This project uses technology to help link these patients with urban experts. This way they can be treated remotely. Five assessments been chosen for this project. They are: • Finding the cause of shoulder pain • Hip and knee arthritis • Muscle and Joint Functional Assessment • Dizziness, falling risk and balance assessment • Wheelchair special seating assessment

The hallmark symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension are shortness of breath and exercise intolerance. Current clinical drug therapies target relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary arteries), as shortness of breath and exercise intolerance may be a result of impaired lung blood vessel function. We are conducting a study to better understand how the lung blood vessels may contribute to shortness of breath and exercise intolerance in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of intellectual disability. Some people with FXS have increased hunger, obesity, or delayed puberty. A diabetes medication, metformin, has been shown to improve obesity and increased hunger with little side effects/discomfort. In this study, participants will randomly receive either metformin or placebo (looks the same as metformin, but doesn't have active drug) to assess safety and benefits of metformin in areas of language, brain function, eating, behavior, etc. We will assess usefulness of measures of brain/body function and markers in the body that can predict if someone will benefit from metformin. There is also an optional 2-year extension where all participants will receive metformin.

The purpose of the survey is to learn more about the health of Black people, and especially about: 1. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 2. why some people may be at risk of these infections 3. what can help protect people from getting them We’ll use the data to improve services for Black people and promote their health and wellbeing.

Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity. Prior research showed that scoliosis-specific exercises can improve pain, quality of life, and disability but, Schroth exercises have not been tested in adults. This pilot study aims to: 1) Determine the recruitment rate; 2) Demonstrate the feasibility; and 3) Estimate the effect for all outcomes. Participants randomised to Schroth treatment will receive 5 one on one and 9 group exercise sessions over 3 months. Controls will receive the current treatment standard. We will assess changes in posture, back extensor endurance, function, pain, and quality of life. 3D Ultrasound imaging of the spine will help measure curve angles, and vertebra rotation.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether substance use at three Virtual Overdose Monitoring Services (VOMS) (NORS, DORS, BRAVE) that are currently operational in Alberta are associated with a change in all-cause mortality and service utilization rates among adults who are actively using substances over a two-year follow-up period.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD)are inflammatory diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS) that are often highly disabling and challenging to treat. CANOPTICS (the CAnadian Neuromyelitis OPTIca Spectrum Disorder and other atypical demyelinating diseases Cohort Study) will allow us to gain a better understanding of the burden of NMOSD, MOGAD, and other atypical demyelinating diseases in Canada.

Porphyrias are a group of rare disorders caused by dysfunction in heme synthesis. This dysfunction causes a build-up of molecules called porphyrins or their precursors leading to serious consequences. The rarity of porphyrias means patient perspectives are lacking. Our investigation seeks to remedy this by having porphyria patients fill out questionnaires. Genetic testing will also be conducted to identify risk factors in porphyria incidence/severity. To supplement, we will be drawing on data from the International Porphyria Network (IPNet) to corroborate our findings. Our findings combined with IPNet data will lead to more comprehensive porphyria treatment/management plans and uncover risk factors in porphyria incidence/severity.

The rates of fatty liver (NAFLD) are rising rapidly and it is predicted to become the most common cause for liver transplant. Following transplant recurrence of NAFLD is common; 60% of patients have recurrence at 1-year post transplant and 80% at 5-years post transplant. Despite being common and affecting a large number of patients we still don't know all of the risk factors associated with recurrent or a new diagnosis of NAFLD following transplant. We also don't know what impact this disease has following transplant. The aim of this study is to study the incidence, risk factors, natural history and outcomes in patients with recurrent and de novo NAFLD following liver transplant.