The Lupus Genetic Linkage Study and Lupus Multiplex Registry & Repository are working to find the genes that cause systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus). The study is enrolling families of all ethnic backgrounds from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands that have two or more living members diagnosed with SLE.

Condition
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

SLE is an often crippling and potentially fatal autoimmune disease that is nine times more prevalent in women than in men, and four times more likely to affect African American females than Caucasian females. It is suspected that a genetic predisposition along with environmental factors contribute to the clinical manifestation of SLE.

The Lupus Multiplex Registry & Repository is the largest repository of its kind in North America. In addition to the research done on site, the Repository serves as a national resource for scientists interested in conducting research on SLE and lupus multiplex families. Data, serum samples, and DNA samples are available to researchers. By collecting pedigrees in which two or more living individuals have been diagnosed with SLE, the study is utilizing the genetic link between the affected family members to discover disease-associated genes.

Records will be requested from the patients' treating physicians to document various lupus symptoms and related problems. One-time blood samples will be collected from the patients as well as from certain family members and an unrelated volunteer. There is no cost to participate and the study pays for sample draws and shipping.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Families in which two or more living members have been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus
• Live in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands

Recruiters      1-888-655-8787    LMRR Recruiter

Oklahoma
      Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City,  Oklahoma,  73104,  United States; Recruiting

Study chairs or principal investigators

John B. Harley, MD, PhD,  Principal Investigator,  Member & Program Head, Arthritis and Immunology Research Program; Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation   

Study ID Numbers:  NIAMS-103
Record last reviewed:  September 2004
Record first received:  October 14, 2003
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00071175
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2004-11-08