Analysis Finds Certain Rheumatic Diseases, Like Lupus, Disproportionately Affect People of Color

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), including lupus, are prevalent across racial and ethnic groups. In a new study analyzing data within the Patient-Centered Research Network, researchers found a higher prevalence of lupus in the US among Asian, African-American, African-Caribbean, and Hispanic Americans when compared to White Americans. The data is consistent with other health disparity studies.

Researchers reviewed health records of more than 28 million adults diagnosed with RMDs, including lupus. Their analysis revealed:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was more common in people who were American Indian/Alaska Native compared to people who identified as White
• Lupus was more prevalent in people who were African American, American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian versus White people
• Lupus also was more common in people who were Hispanic versus non-Hispanic
• Takayasu’s arthritis was more prevalent in Asian people compared to White
• Osteoporosis, RA and vasculitides (types of vasculitis) prevalence was highest in those who identified as White

These data findings can be useful in helping to treat people of color with lupus and can help guide future clinical study and trial recruitment. More research is needed to contextualize data so to address health disparities in rheumatic disease. Learn more about advancing health equity in lupus.

Read the study