In recent years, genome-wide association studies have led to an expansion in the identification of regions containing confirmed genetic risk variants within complex human diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus…
The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unknown, but multiple genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors have been implicated. The inheritance of genes alone is not sufficient for developing…
Ellen M. Ginzler, MD, MPH, Editor Mary Anne Dooley, MD, MPH, Editor The last issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America to cover systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was published…
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disorder resulting from immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta cells within the pancreatic islets. Prediction of T1D is now possible, as having 2…
Screening for presymptomatic disease provides the potential for early intervention and improved outcomes. However, although this practice has potential benefits, it also has potential harms that must be considered. The…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results from an interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Several of these factors are known, such as family history of RA, high birth weight, smoking, silica…
Rheumatic diseases affect a significant portion of the population and lead to increased health care costs, disability, and premature mortality; effective preventive measures for these diseases could lead to substantial…
Despite treatment advances, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still associated with significant disability, decreased work capacity, and reduced life expectancy. Effective immunotherapies to restore immune tolerance promise greater specificity, lower toxicity,…
The etiology of most systemic autoimmune diseases remains unknown. There is often a preclinical period of systemic autoimmunity prior to the onset of clinically classifiable disease; established and emerging data…
There exists a preclinical phase to the disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis, in which there is evidence of autoimmunity but no overt clinical arthritis. Identifying patients in this phase would…
