Clinical Trials and Research Studies

At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we are committed to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care through groundbreaking research studies. We value the participation of patients like you, who play a crucial role in the development of new treatments and therapies.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi became a designated research facility in 2016, and since then, our Research Department has been conducting studies and clinical trials relating to a wide range of medical conditions. Our aim is to advance the development of new and innovative treatments here in the UAE, with a focus on diseases and conditions that are prevalent in the region. All the research we carry out is strictly in line with the Department of Health rules and regulations, and we ensure our research participants are treated with safety, integrity and confidentiality.

Participate in Cutting-Edge Clinical Trials and Research Studies

To find out more about the clinical trials and research studies currently underway at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, click on the ‘Enroll in Clinical Trials’ tab above. To register your interest in participating in a study, please contact [email protected].

Below is a list of research areas within which we currently have active clinical trials and research studies. To find out more information about any of these research areas, or to register your interest in participating in a study, please contact [email protected]. Our research nurses will review your information and contact you to discuss your eligibility and enrolment opportunities. Your participation in our studies can make a significant impact on the future of healthcare.

Clinical Research Areas

Stroke Research

RE 19-024 is a study that is looking at the safety, performance and effectiveness of a device used to remove clots from the brain in patients who have had a stroke. The device is called a ‘Stent retriever’. Stent retrievers are a type of medical device that have been routinely used for the past couple of decades in treating blood clots in the brain. If you or your family member are admitted to the hospital because of a stroke, you may be offered this procedure as part of your treatment, and we will be recording information about your recovery and other safety measures during your stay at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Eye Research

RE 19-019 is a study for individuals with a genetic condition that affects your eyesight. If you or your family member are receiving a gene therapy that is helping your eyesight improve then you will be eligible to participate in the study. The purpose of the research is to find out the safety features of this gene therapy. We will be asking you some questions related to your health before and after the gene therapy as well as recording some of your information from your past medical records.

Medication Research

RE 19-052 is a research study that is looking for individuals that are currently admitted to the hospital and receiving a form of dialysis and antibiotic. The study would like to determine if individuals receiving dialysis and an antibiotic will have a better recovery. If you or your family member are eligible and agree to participate in this study, our research team will collect a small amount of blood from the dialysis machine (this does not hurt the individual) and send it to the laboratory for analysis. We will also be collecting some of your information from your medical records.

RE 22-033 is a research study that is investigating the effectiveness of different types of insulin (medication for diabetes) regimes in those that have hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) due to steroid use. If you or your family member have been given a steroid medication from your doctor and you also have high blood sugar, then you may be eligible to participate in our study. We will be asking some questions about your health as well as take some information from your medical records.

RE 22-041 is a research study looking at individuals who give themselves insulin (diabetes medication given by injection) at home. The study aim is to understand the knowledge and practices around diabetic care at home. If you or your family member have been given a diagnosis of diabetes and are using insulin, then you may be eligible to participate in our research study. We will asking a short series of questions from your health as well as take some information from your medical records.

Metabolic Disease Research

RE 22-069 is a research study for UAE nationals that have been diagnosed with diabetes and have a high body weight. The study will be examining how to better manage these conditions through genetic tests. If you or your family member are currently receiving treatment for weight management and diabetes, and you agree to donate a small amount of blood and/or bodily fluids (such as urine or faecal matter) then you may be eligible to participate in our study. We will also be collecting some information from your medical records.

Fabry Disease Research

RE 22-075 is a research study examining Fabry’s disease which is a rare genetic disease that can cause organ failure in the future. Currently, getting a diagnosis from the doctor for this disease can be difficult, so the purpose of this study is to test a new diagnostic procedure which requires 4 drops of the individual’s blood. The test will be sent to the laboratory for analysis while you continue to receive treatment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. If your doctor has mentioned the possibility that you or your family member may be at risk for Fabry’s disease, you could be eligible for this study. Apart from donating 4 drops of blood from your finger, you will also be asked a series of questions related to your health and we will collect some information from your medical records.

Arthritis Research

RE 23-008 is a research study that is looking at individuals who have a type of arthritis in the lower back (Axial Spondyloarthritis). This type of arthritis can often cause back pain as well as movement impairments. When this occurs, your doctor can sometimes offer you a medication called Upadacitinib which can help control the pain. If you or your family member have this condition and your pain is not well controlled, you doctor may recommend this medication. If so, you may be invited to participate in this study. You will be asked a series of questions related to your health as well as collecting some information from your past medical records during follow up visits with your doctor.

Anaesthesia Research

RE 21-034 is a research study that look at individuals who have been admitted to the neurology intensive care unit because they have suffered an injury to their brain. Because of their illness, sometimes they are unable to breath on their own. When this happens, doctors will give them a breathing tube to help them breath (ventilation) until they are well. If you or your family member are eligible and interested in participating in this research study, we will be asking a series of questions related to your health condition as well as collecting some information from your medical records.

RE 22-048 is a research study that looks at how anaesthesia care is being given to our patients who are having colorectal cancer surgery. If you or your family member are having an operation for colorectal cancer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and are eligible for this study, we may invite you to participate. We will only be collecting information from your medical records throughout your stay in the hospital.

RE 22-050 is a research study that looks at how anaesthesia care is being given to our patients who are being treated for a stroke that needs an operation to remove the clot (thrombectomy). If you or your family member have been offered an operation to remove a blood clot from the brain, then we would like to invite you to participate in our study. We will only be collecting information from your medical records throughout your stay in the hospital.

Heart disease research

RE 19-067 is a research study that is looking at patients who have been diagnosed with a type of heart condition called non-atherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection. This condition is caused when one of the blood vessels in your heart becomes torn. If you or your family member have had this diagnosis from your doctor from the year 2020 till now and are eligible for this study, then we would like to invite you to participate in our research study. You will be asked to donate a small amount of blood (not harmful to the patient) and we will be collecting information from your past medical records during your care at our hospital.

Cardiovascular Disease Research

RE 20-040 is a research study which is investigating if medication can help lower the rates of heart problems in individuals that have been given a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes from a doctor but have not had any major heart problems since. The medication given to the individuals are readily available in the market but the amount of medication is yet to be explored. If you or your family member are eligible and agree to participate in this research study, then you will be asked to do a blood test (does not harm the patient) and you will be prescribed medication by the doctor. Our research team will also be asking you a series of questions related to your health and collect information from your past medical records for the next 49 months of your care at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Cholesterol Related Diseases Research

RE 22-040 is a research study that looks at an inherited gene that causes high cholesterol in the family (hypercholesterolemia). When you have high cholesterol, there is a higher chance that you may develop heart problems in the future. If you and your family members have been given a diagnosis of high cholesterol by a doctor, then we would like to invite you to participate in our research study. You will be asked to donate a tube of blood (does not harm the patient) and it will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. We will also be collecting some information from your past medical records.

RE 22-062 is a study for individuals that have high cholesterol or high lipids (fats) and are currently coming to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to receive medication called Inclisiran as well as other medications to help lower cholesterol or lipids. If you are eligible and interested in the study, we will only be taking information from your past medical records.

Radiation Therapy Research

RE 23-009 is a research study that looks at the early warning signs of being unwell such as body temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, through a small wearable device that is stuck on the chest on individuals that are receiving radiation therapy (a type of cancer treatment). If you or your family member have been scheduled radiation treatment and would like to wear this device which enables a continuous capture of these early warning signs whilst at home, then we would like to invite you to participate in our research study. We will also be collecting information from your medical records.