Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Gullah Health
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Lupus |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Immunology / Infectious Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 2 - Any |
| Updated: | 3/21/2019 |
| Start Date: | April 2003 |
| End Date: | April 2021 |
| Contact: | Trevor Faith |
| Email: | faitht@musc.edu |
| Phone: | 843-792-8997 |
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe, disabling systemic autoimmune disease
characterized by the production of autoantibodies. The clinical symptoms and immunologic
manifestations of SLE are diverse. African-Americans have a 3 fold increased incidence of
SLE, develop SLE at an earlier age, and have increased morbidity and mortality compared with
Caucasians. Our central study hypothesis is that there are specific genetic factors that
interact with environmental exposures leading to the development of SLE. The African-American
Gullah population lives on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia. They are unique in
their genetic homogeneity with minimal Caucasian admixture, making them an ideal cohort to
address questions of environmental and genetic influence on development and progression of
SLE.
characterized by the production of autoantibodies. The clinical symptoms and immunologic
manifestations of SLE are diverse. African-Americans have a 3 fold increased incidence of
SLE, develop SLE at an earlier age, and have increased morbidity and mortality compared with
Caucasians. Our central study hypothesis is that there are specific genetic factors that
interact with environmental exposures leading to the development of SLE. The African-American
Gullah population lives on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia. They are unique in
their genetic homogeneity with minimal Caucasian admixture, making them an ideal cohort to
address questions of environmental and genetic influence on development and progression of
SLE.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 2 years and above;
- Self-identified as African-American "Gullah" from the Sea Island region of South
Carolina;
- Have had at least 4 of the 11 diagnostic criteria for SLE as designated by the
American College of Rheumatology (ACR), be a relative of a known SLE patient, or be an
unrelated healthy Gullah control;
- Ability to speak and understand English;
- Ability and willingness to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Race defined by participant as other than Black or African-American;
- Being a prisoner, mentally ill patient, or institutionalized individual;
- Unwilling or unable to give informed consent
We found this trial at
1
site
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
843-792-1414
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