How lupus affects people over time in Midwest communities

DP22-002 Epidemiology of Lupus: Longitudinal Studies in Population-Based Cohorts - 2022

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11135288

This project follows people with systemic and cutaneous lupus and matched community members over time to learn about disease course, treatments, healthcare access, and disparities.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11135288 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus (CLE) in a 27-county region of Minnesota and Wisconsin have their medical records linked and followed through the Rochester Epidemiology Project. The project compares those with lupus to similar people without lupus matched by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and county, and tracks diagnoses, lab results, prescriptions, and visits over time. Researchers focus on natural history, multimorbidity, opioid pain treatment, healthcare access, and disparities across the full spectrum of disease severity. This renewal continues and expands the Lupus Midwest Network (LUMEN) work to capture population-level patterns that clinic-based studies may miss.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with SLE or CLE who live in the Rochester Epidemiology Project's 27-county region, as well as matched community members without lupus used for comparison.

Not a fit: People who live outside the REP catchment area or who are seeking experimental drug trials are unlikely to be included or receive direct benefits from this epidemiologic project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal real-world patterns of lupus outcomes and care gaps that help improve diagnosis, management, and access to services for people with lupus.

How similar studies have performed: Previous population-based lupus cohort studies have improved understanding of disease patterns and care gaps, and this project builds on that established approach.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.