Lupus Research Institute Underscores Urgent Need for Research in Pediatric Lupus at International Lupus Congress
LRI National Coalition Backs Programming on Lupus in Children and Adolescents
New York, NY, June 23, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) National Coalition of state and local lupus groups, alarmed at the crucial need for answers to the devastating effects of lupus when diagnosed in the young, is sponsoring key programming in lupus pediatrics at the International Lupus Congress in Vancouver, Canada from June 24 to 27.
“This is a priority—breakthrough research in pediatric lupus is vital,” said LRI President Margaret G. Dowd, “as an estimated 20 percent of people with lupus are diagnosed before the age of 20—and the disease at an early age can be devastating.”
Children and adolescents with lupus are two to three times more likely than adults to develop kidney disease, central nervous system complications, and hematologic (blood) disease.
“Research in pediatric lupus is also important because we are more likely to identify genetic and biologic markers in this population—because pediatric disease tends to be more severe,” added Marisa S. Klein-Gitelman, MD, head of the division of rheumatology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
“With children and adolescents, we have the opportunity to intervene in this chronic disease early on,” Klein-Gitelman said. “And hopefully, with greater understanding, these young patients will have better outcomes.”
Funding Key Pediatrics Programming at LUPUS 2010
The triennial lupus meeting provides a rich forum for interaction among leading researchers, clinicians, trialists, and patients. Presentations will be given by over 60 of the world’s top lupus experts.
Through its sponsorship, the LRI National Coalition is making possible numerous meeting sessions of importance and interest to people with a commitment to finding answers in pediatric lupus.
Major sessions include those on “Outcomes that matter for children and youth with SLE” in such areas as quality of life, bone health, puberty and sexual development, and a “Global Perspective” on special needs and challenges for children and adolescents with the disease.
“Meet the Professor” sessions in pediatrics will explore the unique challenges and rewards of caring for adolescents with lupus as well as such topics as neuropsychiatric lupus (“is it all in their heads?”), new aspects in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric lupus nephritis, and problems of antiphospholipid antibodies in babies and teens.
About Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.), commonly called lupus, is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disorder and one of the nation’s least recognized major diseases. In lupus, the body's immune system forms antibodies that can attack virtually any healthy organ or tissue, from the kidneys to the brain, heart, lungs, skin, joints, and blood. Lupus is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and stroke among young women. No new treatments for lupus have been approved in 50 years.
About the Lupus Research Institute (LRI) National Coalition: Pioneering discovery to prevent, treat, and cure lupus.
The Lupus Research Institute (LRI), is the world’s leading private supporter of innovative research in lupus. Its National Coalition of state and local lupus groups has achieved solid results in championing awareness, education, and action on lupus on Capitol Hill, catalyzing involvement in clinical trials through LupusTrials.org, and fighting to eliminate racial disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.
The LRI’s bold and proven research strategy consistently achieves the insights, breakthroughs, and solid results that are changing the course of lupus research and bringing new hope to people with lupus nationwide and around the world. On the Web at www.LupusResearchInstitute.org.
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“This is a priority—breakthrough research in pediatric lupus is vital,” said LRI President Margaret G. Dowd, “as an estimated 20 percent of people with lupus are diagnosed before the age of 20—and the disease at an early age can be devastating.”
Children and adolescents with lupus are two to three times more likely than adults to develop kidney disease, central nervous system complications, and hematologic (blood) disease.
“Research in pediatric lupus is also important because we are more likely to identify genetic and biologic markers in this population—because pediatric disease tends to be more severe,” added Marisa S. Klein-Gitelman, MD, head of the division of rheumatology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
“With children and adolescents, we have the opportunity to intervene in this chronic disease early on,” Klein-Gitelman said. “And hopefully, with greater understanding, these young patients will have better outcomes.”
Funding Key Pediatrics Programming at LUPUS 2010
The triennial lupus meeting provides a rich forum for interaction among leading researchers, clinicians, trialists, and patients. Presentations will be given by over 60 of the world’s top lupus experts.
Through its sponsorship, the LRI National Coalition is making possible numerous meeting sessions of importance and interest to people with a commitment to finding answers in pediatric lupus.
Major sessions include those on “Outcomes that matter for children and youth with SLE” in such areas as quality of life, bone health, puberty and sexual development, and a “Global Perspective” on special needs and challenges for children and adolescents with the disease.
“Meet the Professor” sessions in pediatrics will explore the unique challenges and rewards of caring for adolescents with lupus as well as such topics as neuropsychiatric lupus (“is it all in their heads?”), new aspects in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric lupus nephritis, and problems of antiphospholipid antibodies in babies and teens.
About Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.), commonly called lupus, is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disorder and one of the nation’s least recognized major diseases. In lupus, the body's immune system forms antibodies that can attack virtually any healthy organ or tissue, from the kidneys to the brain, heart, lungs, skin, joints, and blood. Lupus is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and stroke among young women. No new treatments for lupus have been approved in 50 years.
About the Lupus Research Institute (LRI) National Coalition: Pioneering discovery to prevent, treat, and cure lupus.
The Lupus Research Institute (LRI), is the world’s leading private supporter of innovative research in lupus. Its National Coalition of state and local lupus groups has achieved solid results in championing awareness, education, and action on lupus on Capitol Hill, catalyzing involvement in clinical trials through LupusTrials.org, and fighting to eliminate racial disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.
The LRI’s bold and proven research strategy consistently achieves the insights, breakthroughs, and solid results that are changing the course of lupus research and bringing new hope to people with lupus nationwide and around the world. On the Web at www.LupusResearchInstitute.org.
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Contact
Lupus Research Institute
Liane Stegmaier
212-812-9881
www.LupusResearchInstitute.org
Liane Stegmaier
212-812-9881
www.LupusResearchInstitute.org
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