Lupus Immunology
UCSF investigators actively working in the area of lupus immunology are Drs. Arthur Weiss, David Wofsy, David Daikh, and Leonard Dragone. Disorders of the immune system can often lead to autoimmune diseases such as lupus. These investigators are involved in defining the basic biochemical mechanisms that regulate normal immune responses and in understanding how disorders in such mechanisms contribute to the development of lupus.

Genetic Epidemiology
Dr. Lindsey Criswell and her group are working to better understand the genetic and environmental causes of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, in order to discover better treatments and eventually cures for people living with an autoimmune disease. For more information about her research studies please call her research coordinator toll free at 1-888-223-3067 (ext. 1), or visit her website at: http://medicine.ucsf.edu/lupus/.

Health Services and Outcome Research
Investigators actively working in the area of health services and outcomes research include Dr. Ed Yelin and Dr. Patty Katz. Drs. Katz and Yelin have established a large cohort of approximately 1,000 adults with lupus, the Lupus Outcomes Study (LOS). Dr. Katz is using data from the LOS to examine disability among individuals with lupus, including factors that may predispose people to disability and potential psychological outcomes of disability.Dr. Yelin is using the LOS data to study the determinants of work loss among patients with lupus and to evaluate how the growth of managed care is affecting their access to healthcare, including access to rheumatologists.

Pediatric Lupus
Dr. Emily von Scheven and Dr. Diana Milojevic lead the UCSF Pediatric Rheumatology Clinical Research Program. This program is committed to the ethical conduct of research that improves the understanding and treatment of childhood and adolescent lupus. Current studies focus on childhood osteoporosis, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, and prevention of premature atherosclerosis. For further information regarding these and other studies in pediatric lupus, please contact the study coordinator at (415) 502-7685.

Natural History and Disease Activity Studies

• Study A: The Natural History, Pathogenesis, and Disease Analysis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  The purpose of this study is to learn more about the disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The goals of this research are 1) to evaluate patients with lupus to better understand how the disease begins and how it affects patients, 2) to follow patients during the course of the disease to understand how disease changes over time and, 3) to conduct research to develop better treatments for lupus. There is no cost for participation.

  • Investigators: John C. Davis, MD, MPH; David Wofsy, MD; Maria Dall’Era, MD
  • Contact: (415) 502-1886

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  Study B: Relationships among Disease Status, Immune Markers, Cognitive Functioning, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
  
  The purpose of this study is to examine neuropsychiatric symptoms in SLE. The goals of this investigation are to (1) evaluate cognitive and psychiatric symptoms in SLE, (2) to examine the relationship among SLE disease status, immune functioning, cognitive functioning and psychiatric symptoms, and (3) to follow patients in order to understand how these neuropsychiatric symptoms change over time. Patients with and without a previous history of neuropsychiatric symptoms are invited to participate. There is no cost for participation, and treatment is not provided.
  
  • Investigators: John C. Davis, MD and Laura J. Julian, PhD
  • Contact: (415) 221-4810 x 3134