Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Gullah Health
Who can join
As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.
- Age
- 2 Years and older
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Compensation
- Not stated
Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.
What to expect
No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.
What participation involves
Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.
- Compensation
- Not stated
- Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
- Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
- Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
- Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.
About this study
In plain language
This study looks at how genes and things in the environment may work together to cause lupus or affect how it progresses. Lupus is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The study is for African American Gullah people age 2 and older who have lupus, are relatives of someone with lupus, or are healthy.
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.
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Who can join
- Are age 2 or older.
- Identify as African American Gullah from the Sea Island region of South Carolina.
- Have had at least 4 of the 11 signs used by the American College of Rheumatology to diagnose lupus; are related to someone with lupus; or are a healthy Gullah person not related to a lupus patient.
- Can speak and understand English.
- Are able and willing to give informed consent, meaning you understand the study and agree to take part.
Who can't join
- Identify your race as other than Black or African American.
- Are a prisoner, a patient with mental illness, or a person living in an institution.
- Are unwilling or unable to give informed consent.
Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.
Official eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 2 years and above; * Self-identified as African-American "Gullah" from the Sea Island region of South Carolina; * Have had at least 4 of the 11 diagnostic criteria for SLE as designated by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), be a relative of a known SLE patient, or be an unrelated healthy Gullah control; * Ability to speak and understand English; * Ability and willingness to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Race defined by participant as other than Black or African-American; * Being a prisoner, mentally ill patient, or institutionalized individual; * Unwilling or unable to give informed consent
Study sites (1)
SC
- Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, SC 29425More trials in Charleston