Lupus in Gullah Health
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.
Conditions:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Study Start (Actual) 2003-04
Primary Completion (Estimated) 2025-06
Study Completion (Estimated) 2027-06
Enrollment (Estimated) 750
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Phase N/A
Locations:
📍 Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Eligibility Criteria

Description

    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
Ages Eligible for Study: 2 Years to N/A (CHILD, ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
Sexes Eligible for Study: ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

  • First Submitted2008-09-18
  • First Submitted that Met QC Criteria2008-09-18
  • First Posted2008-09-22

Study Record Updates

  • Last Update Submitted that Met QC Criteria2023-11-19
  • Last Update Posted2023-11-21
  • Last Verified2023-11