Lupus Foundation of America,
Oklahoma Chapter, Inc.
The Lupus Genetic Studies are seeking families of all ethnicities to participate in Lupus Research.
Although lupus is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans (Lupus Foundation of America website: www.lupus.org) and these ethnicities are among the most often and severely afflicted with the disease, it is vital to have as many families from as many different backgrounds participate as possible to obtain complete and informative results.
The same is true of male and female lupus patients; though women are 9-
Recent work has shown that SLE genes differed between ethnic groups, and different genes may designate the symptoms from which a patient may suffer.
The following studies are being performed at the Oklahoma Medical Research Institute:
Studies
- Multiplex Study -
- Families with 2 or more members who have lupus. - Simplex Study -
- Families with 1 member who has lupus. - African-
Americans -- The Lupus Genetic Studies and LMRR are pleased to house the largest collection of clinical data and biologic samples from multiplex African- American lupus families in the country. As African- American women are 3- 4 times more likely to develop lupus than their European- American peers, often with more life- threatening symptoms, there is a great need for lupus research in this population. The Lupus Genetic Studies have already found several effects in African- American families with lupus, and only through the participation of additional families will we be able to continue making progress. - Hispanics -
- The Lupus Studies are interested in recruiting as many Hispanic families to the study as possible. It is known that Hispanics develop lupus more often, and often with greater severity, than European- Americans. With three bilingual, Spanish- speaking recruiters available, the study has begun working with families in the United States, Mexico & Puerto Rico. - Native Americans/American Indians -
- The National Native- American Lupus Project (NNALP), A Separate study within the Lupus Genetic Studies, is dedicated to recruiting families of Native- American heritage with lupus. Researchers suspect that lupus is from 3- 10 times more prevalent in Native- Americans than European- Americans. The study hopes to make progress that will benefit Native- Americans with lupus. - Asian-
Americans -- www.lupus.omrf.ouhsc.edu.As of July 2004, less than 15 Asian- American families with one or more SLE patients have been enrolled in the Lupus Genetic Studies. Researchers are very interested in discovering genes which may be unique to various Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicities.
If you are interested in participating in any of these studies please contact a recruiter at (405) 271-7479 (Oklahoma City area) or toll free at 1- 888- 655- 8787. Or you can contact them at
Contact oklupus@flash.net with questions or comments about this web site.
