Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
The Lupus Foundation of America is the first and only lupus organization with a dedicated commitment to childhood lupus research. We have been supporting researchers of childhood lupus since 2006 in areas such as lupus nephritis (lupus kidney disease), neuropsychiatric lupus (lupus that affects the brain and nervous system), quality of life, and the transition to adult care.
In 2017, the Foundation started a partnership with the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) to bring together advocacy for and research on childhood lupus.
Our goal is to identify the areas of greatest need in childhood lupus research and care and then work collaboratively to fill in the gaps.
Thousands of children and teens in the U.S. are living with lupus. In children, lupus tends to be more aggressive and severe than it is in adults. The symptoms are more intense, and the disease can have long-term effects on a child’s growth, quality of life, and even how long they live.
of people with lupus are diagnosed as children or teens
children or teens with lupus will develop kidney disease (lupus nephritis)
We are currently working with CARRA to build consensus on the areas of highest priority. Then we will develop a research agenda for childhood lupus that identifies top priorities and allows us to create a roadmap to tackle each area one by one. We are exploring research topics such as:
• Lupus nephritis
• Quality of life
• Neuropsychiatric issues
• Transition to adult care
• Clinical trials and comparative effectiveness research
This partnership brings together our unique perspectives and expertise to improve the care for all children and adolescents with lupus.
Click here for more information about CARRA.