Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Gullah Health

Part of paid clinical trials in Charleston, South Carolina.

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
Study ID: NCT00756769
Status: Recruiting

Conditions

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: ALL
Age: 2 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Study Details

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies, multiple organ involvement, and diverse clinical symptoms and immunologic manifestations. African Americans are at a disproportionately higher risk of developing SLE, develop SLE at an earlier age, and have increased morbidity and mortality compared with European Americans. 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 from the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia are unique in their genetic homogeneity with minimal non-African genetic admixture, making them an ideal cohort to address questions of environmental and genetic influence on the development and progression of SLE.