Physicians following female patients meeting ACR classification criteria for SLE when they were age 35 years or younger and who have at least one sister or half-sister who is currently age 35 years or younger are invited to refer their SLE patient for this study. Nurse coordinators at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research will handle all subsequent logistics, including obtaining informed consent of the patient with SLE and her sisters, conducting phone interviews, and arranging for blood collection and shipment back to the Feinstein Institute. This is an important study to which all rheumatologists may contribute. The results will increase our understanding of how lupus develops and will ultimately lead to the development of strategies for personalized prevention and therapy. For more information on the trial or on enrolling patients, visit www.SisSLE.org or call 1-877-698-9467.
Dr. Aranow is an associate investigator; Dr. Mackay is an assistant investigator; Dr. Gregersen is chief of the Center for Genomics and Human Genetics; and Dr. Diamond is chief of the Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases. The authors all work at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
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