Deciphering What Drives Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in African American Children

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affects children and can lead to lasting joint damage. The study uses medical records and genetic data from diverse patients to identify risk factors that are linked to worse outcomes in Black children. By comparing clinical features and genetic patterns with other groups, the researchers hope to uncover why disease activity is higher in this population. The ultimate goal is to improve early identification and tailor treatments to reduce disability over time. The work builds on existing BioVU DNA biorepository data to explore connections between JIA, RA, and SLE features in African American patients.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  Nashville, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Patrick, Anna Elizabeth — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Patrick, Anna Elizabeth

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Understanding how T cells make IFN-γ and IL-17 in kids with juvenile arthritis

  A doctor-scientist at Vanderbilt is studying why certain immune cells in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis produce inflammatory signals, with the goal of improving diagnosis and treatment.

  NIH research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, United States · NIH-11392245

• Lung disease linked to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children

  This project looks at how ongoing immune activation and some arthritis medicines may cause lung inflammation and breathing problems in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA).

  NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11326213

• Linking JIA Registry with Claims Data to Improve Understanding of Juvenile Arthritis

  A study will connect the CARRA JIA patient registry with a large national claims database to see how well registry data match real-world care and outcomes for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

  NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11295916

• Investigating the role of viruses and gut bacteria in arthritis flares in children

  This study is looking at how certain viruses and bacteria in the gut might affect flare-ups of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in kids, hoping to find clues that could help manage these painful episodes better.

  NIH research University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, United States · NIH-11056288

• Understanding lung disease in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

  This study is looking at how a serious lung problem in some kids with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis happens, and it aims to find new ways to help treat or prevent this issue by understanding how a certain part of their immune system works.

  NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11042812

• Understanding how immune cells produce inflammatory signals in children with arthritis

  This study is looking at how certain immune cells in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis produce substances that cause inflammation, and it hopes to find genetic clues that could help improve how we diagnose and treat this condition.

  NIH research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, United States · NIH-10903950

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.