What a positive ANA test means for your health
Genome and Phenome to Define Disease Risk with Antinuclear Antibodies
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · NIH-11369173
Researchers are using genetic and health-record information to find out which people with a positive ANA test might later develop lupus or other autoimmune disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11369173 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would join a project that links DNA information and your medical history to learn what a positive ANA test means for people without autoimmune disease. The team will compare ANA-positive people who never develop disease with those who do, looking for clinical signs and genetic patterns that predict risk. Participation could involve review of your health records and use of stored or newly collected blood samples for genetic analysis. The goal is to create clearer guidance so doctors can tell who needs closer monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have tested positive for ANA, whether or not they currently have autoimmune symptoms, and people concerned about lupus risk.
Not a fit: People without a positive ANA test or those with conditions unrelated to autoimmunity are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors interpret ANA tests better and identify people at higher risk for lupus earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work using genetics and medical-record data has shown promise for predicting autoimmune risk, but reliably predicting which ANA-positive people will develop lupus remains an active and only partially solved area.
Where this research is happening
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM — BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KAWAI, VIVIAN K — UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- Study coordinator: KAWAI, VIVIAN K
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.