RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Follow-up of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Cohort as Part of the Multidisciplinary Consultation at Brest CHRU

This study focuses on adults with lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) who receive care at a special clinic in Brest, France. Lupus is a complex condition that can affect many parts of the body. In this clinic, different specialists like rheumatologists, kidney doctors, and skin doctors work together to provide comprehensive care. The researchers want to closely follow these patients over time to learn more about how lupus changes and affects them. By collecting this information, they aim to improve the care given to lupus patients in Brest, understand how common lupus is in their area, and share their findings with other doctors and clinics around the world to help more people with lupus.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Brest

Enrolment target

300

Start

17 Jan 2017

Estimated completion

17 Jan 2027

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

What is this study about?

Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is a condition where your body's immune system, which normally fights off infections, mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs. This can cause problems in many different parts of the body, like your joints, skin, kidneys, and more. Even though doctors have guidelines for diagnosing and treating lupus, it can still be tricky to get the right diagnosis and manage the condition.

In Brest, France, a special clinic was set up in 2009. Here, different types of doctors who treat lupus – such as those specialising in joints (rheumatologists), kidneys (nephrologists), skin (dermatologists), women's health (gynaecologists), general internal medicine, and the immune system (immunologists) – all work together. This team approach aims to give patients the very best and most complete care.

This study wants to look closely at patients who have been seen in this special clinic. The doctors want to find out how lupus affects these patients over a long period, especially how different symptoms and body changes appear and develop. By carefully collecting and organising this information, they can see what's working well in their clinic, learn more about how common lupus is in their area, and share their improvements and findings with other doctors and hospitals both in France and internationally. Ultimately, this will help improve care for people with lupus everywhere.

Key takeaways

This study helps improve care for people with lupus.
It's happening at a special clinic in Brest, France, where many doctors work together.
You won't have to do anything extra; it uses information from your usual clinic visits.
It looks at how lupus affects patients over a long time.
The goal is to share knowledge and help lupus patients everywhere.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you must be 18 years old or older. You also need to have been seen at the special multidisciplinary lupus clinic in Brest where various doctors work together.

If you are a patient at this clinic and meet the age requirement, you are generally eligible. The main reason you wouldn't be able to join is if you simply prefer not to. Your decision to participate is entirely up to you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you receive care at the multidisciplinary lupus clinic in Brest?
Are you happy for your existing medical information to be used anonymously for research?
Have your doctors confirmed you have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is mainly about collecting and looking at information that doctors already gather during your routine check-ups at the multidisciplinary lupus clinic. You wouldn't be asked to make extra visits or take any new medications specifically for this study.

The researchers will be reviewing your medical records from when you attend the clinic. This means they will look at your test results, symptoms, and treatments over time. The goal is to understand how your lupus progresses and how the care you receive affects it. The total duration of your participation would depend on how long you attend the clinic, as the researchers are interested in your long-term health journey.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no known direct risks to you for participating in this study since it only involves looking at your existing medical information. You would not undergo any new tests or treatments. The potential benefit is that the information gathered from your records, along with those of other patients, will help doctors better understand lupus and improve care for all patients in the future. Remember, you always have the right to decide whether or not to allow your information to be used for research, and this decision will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

CHRU de Brest
Verified postcode
Brest, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'Systemic Lupus Erythematosus'?

It's a long name for lupus, an autoimmune condition where your body's defense system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of your own body.

What does a 'multidisciplinary consultation' mean?

It means doctors from different specialties (like kidney, skin, and joint doctors) all work together as a team to care for your lupus.

Will I have to do anything extra if I join this study?

No, this study only involves looking at your existing medical records from your regular clinic visits. You won't have new appointments or take different medicines.

Will my personal details be shared?

The information collected will be handled carefully to protect your privacy. Researchers are interested in patterns across many patients, not individual identities.

Why is this study important?

It helps doctors learn more about how lupus affects people over time and how to provide the best possible care, not just in Brest but potentially worldwide.

How to find out more

Sandrine JOUSSE-JOULIN, Rheumatologist

sandrine.jousse-joulin@chu-brest.fr 33 (0)2-98-34-72-64 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.