Lupus Extended Autoimmune Phenotype Study (LEAP)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lupus Extended Autoimmune Phenotype Study (LEAP)
IRAS ID
100219
Contact name
Ian Bruce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Research summary
Connective tissue diseases are an important family of conditions characterised by their multi-system nature. They can affect many organ systems including the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs and blood vessels. Traditionally, CTDs are grouped according to their clinical features for example, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and myositis. A large number of patients however do not “fit“ into these categories and are often described as undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). These patients have features that overlap with some of the more recognised syndromes, but such patients are currently excluded from studies and trials. Despite this, these patients are likely to give us vital clues to the common features of the whole CTD family. We aim to reconsider how we assess and classify patients with connective tissue disease according to the genes and inflammatory proteins which drive the process, rather than simply on their clinical diagnosis. We will assess patients with CTDs from Greater Manchester to determine common features of their inflammation and blood vessel health. This is important as such patients are rarely studied in such a systematic fashion. The study will help us administer therapies more effectively and aid the design of future therapeutic trials.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0564
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion