RESEARCH - Gene variants may increase risk for lupus

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Gene Variants May Increase Risk for Lupus

There are a number of approaches you can apply to improve patient care

and better manage medication persistence in women with postmenopausal

osteoporosis.

Learn more October 19, 2009 — At least a dozen or more genes may help

explain what causes lupus, according to two new studies.

Researchers have identified 12 genetic variants that are associated

with an increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the

disease commonly referred to as lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s natural defense

system attacks itself. The disease targets the joints, skin, and other

organs of the body.

The exact cause of lupus is unknown, but researchers have long

suspected that genetics play a role because the disease is more common

in some ethnic populations than others and also tends to run in

families.

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Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/710936

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