UR Medicine Experts Host Lupus Education Program Oct. 15
People living with lupus and caregivers can learn more about latest therapies and research during UR Medicine’s Lupus Education Day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
“This is a great opportunity for people with lupus to learn about new therapies and research, and network with others,” said Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D., director of UR Medicine’s Lupus Clinic, which is nationally recognized for clinical expertise and research. Anolik works with adult rheumatologists R. John Looney, M.D., and Ummara Shah, M.D.
As part of the 10th annual program, international lupus expert Richard Furie, M.D., of Northwell Health, formerly North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, will address “Blocking interferon -- New breakthroughs in lupus treatment.” Other sessions will center on research and clinical trial updates, pain management in lupus and the popular patient panel.
Registration for the free event is requested; call Lindsey Junge at (585) 273-4670.
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can vary from a mild condition to a life-threatening illness. It can cause joints to swell and attack the kidneys, heart, lungs and liver, leading to pain, dysfunction, and sometimes permanent damage to healthy tissues.
More than 1.5 million Americans suffer with the potentially fatal disease. About 90 percent of patients are women who were diagnosed during their childbearing years. The disease can be a challenge to diagnose, but detecting it early is essential to minimize damage to the organs and improve quality of life.
Most people with lupus can control the disease with medication and consistent monitoring by physicians. A smaller set of patients, however, suffer a more extreme disease course, sometimes facing life-threatening problems.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ lupus researchers lead laboratory and translational research programs to advance patient care. The team of scientists and clinicians were recently selected to join the National Institutes of Health Accelerating Medicines Partnership in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Network. The program is a partnership between the NIH, biopharmaceutical companies, advocacy organizations and academic scientists to more rapidly identify promising drug targets and develop much-needed new treatments for patients with these conditions.
To learn more about UR Medicine’s Lupus Clinic, go to .
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