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THE CAROLINA LUPUS STUDY (CLU)
Description:
Carolina Lupus (CLU) Study, an epidemiologic study of risk factors for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a severe, chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects women and African-Americans. The CLU Study focuses on measures of endogenous hormone exposure (menstrual and reproductive history), exogenous sources of estrogen (including estrogen replacement therapy), and exposures to occupational and environmental agents (silica dust and solvents). The blood sample will be used to measure specific auto antibodies associated with SLE, and can also be used to measure biomarkers of exposure to specific environmental estrogens. White blood cells will be stored for additional studies of gene-environment interaction relating to metabolism, immune function, and hormones.
