This protocol will evaluate patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their relatives to learn more about how the disease develops and changes over time. It will also study genetic factors that make a person susceptible to SLE.

Patients 10 years of age and older with known or suspected SLE and their relatives may be eligible for this study. Patients will be evaluated with a medical history and physical examination, blood and urine tests. Other procedures may include:

1. Electrocardiogram

2. 24-hour urine collection

3. Imaging studies, such as chest and joint X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, bone scans, and bone densitometry.

4. Questionnaire about the degree of disease activity, and survey of risk factors for disease complications.

5. Apheresis-Collection of plasma (fluid portion of blood) or blood cells for analysis. Whole blood is collected through a needle in an arm vein. The blood circulates through a machine that separates it into its components. The required component (plasma or cells) is removed and the rest of the blood is returned to the body through the same needle or through a second needle in the other arm.

6. Skin biopsy-Removal of a small skin sample for microscopic analysis. An area of skin is numbed with an anesthetic and a small circular portion (about 1/4 inch in diameter) is removed, using a sharp cookie cutter-type instrument.

7. Kidney, bone marrow or other organ biopsy-Removal of a small sample of organ tissue. These biopsies are done only if they can provide information useful in better understanding the disease or making treatment decisions.

8. Genetic studies-Collection of a blood sample for gene testing.

Patients will be followed at least once a year with a brief history and physical examination and routine blood and urine tests. Some patients may be seen more often. Treatment recommendations will be offered to patients' physicians, and patients who are eligible for other research treatment studies will be invited to enroll.

Participating relatives of patients will fill out a brief medical history questionnaire and provide a DNA sample (either a blood sample or tissue swab from the inside of the cheek) for genetic testing.

Condition
Lupus Nephritis Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  9999

This research protocol will evaluate subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their relatives to study the pathogenesis and natural history of the disease. Patients will be evaluated by a history and physical examination and routine laboratory studies will be obtained as needed to assess disease activity or complications of the disease and to monitor for drug-related toxicities. Blood, skin or urine specimens may be requested for laboratory-based research investigations. DNA will be isolated from eligible subjects for genetic studies. Patients who are eligible for other research protocols will be offered the opportunity to participate in these studies by signed informed consent. Any medical care recommended or provided to the patient will be consistent with routine standards of practice and provided in consultation with the patient's referring physician.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA
SLE or suspected SLE established by ARA criteria.
Ability to give informed consent .
Adult and minor relatives (first- and second degree of individuals included in III-A-1 (only for genetic studies)) .
Willingness of the patient's or minor relative's parents to give informed consent (only for genetic studies).
Adult healthy volunteers (for punch biopsy of the skin) will be included.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Concomitant medical problems which would confound the interpretation of studies gathered by this protocol.
Concomitant medical, surgical or other conditions for which inadequate facilities are available to support their care at the NIH .

Maryland
      National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  940066; 94-AR-0066
Record last reviewed:  January 19, 2005
Last Updated:  February 11, 2005
Record first received:  November 3, 1999
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00001372
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08