OPEN Research Support
head

Consultant
Anne Voss
Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital


Projekt styring
Projekt status    Active
 
Data indsamlingsdatoer
Start 01.01.2015  
Slut 31.12.2020  
 



Systemic lupus erythematosus in Southern Denmark

Short summary

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic, autoimmune and potentially fatal connective tissue disease. In spite of its rarity (yearly incidence in Denmark 1-2/100.000) SLE has been intensively studied throughout the world clarifying a pathogenesis of multiple, complement activating autoantibodies causing inflammation and consequently tissue and organ damage.

We investigate the epidemiology of SLE prospectively since 1995 expanding the cohort to 208 patients as of 2013, with 1-6 consecutive blood samples from each patient coupled with a database covering disease manifestations, disease activity-scores, medical treatment etc.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is an important negative predictive factor of survival in SLE and we presently investigate risk-factors including signs of atherosclerosis including coronary artery calcification measured by heart CT scans and carotid intima media thickening/plaques measured by means of B-mode ultrasound scans.


Rationale

The aim is to identify and maintain a population-based cohort of SLE patients covering the Region of Southern Denmark. A database and a biobank are cultivated in order to describe potential biochemical markers of activity and damage in SLE


Description of the cohort

A population-based cohort of well characterized patients with SLE recruited from the Rheumatologic Departments in the Region of Southern Denmark.

We consecutively include incident and immigrated SLE patients aged 18+. Patients are invited to specific research-visits every 5 year including review of medical history, a clinical examination and blood-sampling. Extra examination and blood-sampling is performed if disease activity is suspected in-between research-visits.


Data and biological material

Clinical data concerning diagnosis, activity score, damage score and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Heart CT scans and carotid intima media thickening/plaques measured by means of B-mode ultrasound scans.

Serum (1-6 consecutive samples), plasma (1-4 consecutive samples) and DNA.


Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital

  • Associate professor Anne Voss, MD, PhD
  • elle Laustrup, MD, PhD
  • PhD student Susan Due Kay, MD