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Improving Diagnosis, Care, and Treatment

Today, a person who is diagnosed with lupus must manage a range of challenging, potentially fatal symptoms while waiting for new medical advances. Our research is improving the day-to-day lives of people with lupus now, easing their suffering while providing hope as we work toward earlier diagnosis, improved care, and better treatments.

We are dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of lupus to improve the lives of people with this devastating disease.

Our Research Focus
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Improving diagnosis

It can take years for a person with lupus to get an accurate diagnosis. Reducing time to diagnosis helps them get the right treatment sooner and avoid serious symptoms such as organ damage. Research we funded supported the creation of one of the first diagnostic tests specifically for lupus, which doctors use today.

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Improving care

The need for better care is especially critical in certain groups, like children and pregnant women. That’s why we’ve funded research that looks at their unique needs to develop ways to spot severe symptoms sooner and to devise enhanced care plans.

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Improving Treatment

People with lupus need more effective, targeted, safer treatments with fewer side effects. One promising new treatment uses a form of adult stem cells called mesenchymal stem cells. We were the first U.S. organization to fund this type of stem cell research in 2007, and we continue to fund studies in this groundbreaking field.

We are also funding research to find out what causes lupus in the hopes of someday being able to prevent it. Researchers believe that a combination of hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors causes lupus. Our work with scientists, physicians, industry leaders, and people with lupus is helping figure out why some people are at greater risk. Once we have these answers, we may be able to discover ways to stop lupus before it develops.

Do you have questions about lupus diagnosis, care, or treatment? The National Resource Center on Lupus has answers.

Go To The Resource Center

 

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Help us make new discoveries to improve the lives of people with lupus.