Research Studies in Lupus

New Research May Have Identified a Root Cause of Lupus

August 1, 2024

Lupus, a complex autoimmune disease, affects over a million people in the U.S. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women’s Hospital believe they have discovered a root cause of lupus. This breakthrough offers new hope for better treatments and …

Arm wrestling to see which is better for lupus nephritis: Lupkynis or Benlysta

Lupkynis vs Benlysta for Lupus Nephritis: Dr. Thomas Has His Verdict!

May 5, 2021

Which is better for lupus nephritis?
Here is my answer!

Which is better for lupus nephritis? Benlysta or Lupkyinis? … and the winner is… (read below)

Updated 6/1/21: I included:
– The specifics on the complete renal responses Benlysta vs

…

Discoid lupus on the chest of a white woman Saphelo for lupus

Saphnelo for Lupus: One of Two Approved Biologics [January 2025)]

April 18, 2021

Saphnelo for Lupus: It improved lupus in all domains tested.

Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) has the lupus community excited a
Pronounced saf-NEH’-low

Read about how Saphnelo compares to Benlysta in my other blog post. Each has its pros and cons.

Saphnelo–the …

COVID Vaccine and Lupus: Join in a Research Study Now

April 14, 2021

How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study

The NIH is studying how the COVID vaccine and lupus interact. Please consider participating in this important research.

You can also click …

Photo of sunspots: Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews

Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: 2025 Sunspots & Milder Lupus?

March 27, 2021

Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: Could sunspots in 2025 lead to milder lupus?

Largest sunspot in 2014 picture by NASA may predict lupus flares

2014 photo by NASA showing an 80,000 mile long sun spot (the length of 10 Earths side by side). Photo source Wikipedia Commons and NASA, Greenbelt, MD

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Woman with lupus helping lupus research for the Lupus Foundation of America

Share Lupus Experiences Now: Help current research on lupus

October 28, 2020

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with the Lupus Foundation of America by joining RAY (Research Accelerated by You)

You can help with an easy online lupus research study!…

I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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Map of the USA showing shortage of rheumatologists for lupus patients

Colossal Shortage of Rheumatologists is Here: Panic?

World-wide shortage of rheumatologists= getting worse. This is why it is getting harder to get an appointment with

Questions about lupus treatments and living with lupus

Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia – Q & A Video

Dr. Donald Thomas Answers Lupus Patients’ Questions on His Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia Watch this

Lupus patient getting intravenous immunoglobulin

Intravenous Immunoglobulin: IVIG for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A drug made from up to 100,000 healthy volunteers! Intravenous (IV) means getting a medicine delivered into your

Antibody Levels After COVID Vaccine

Some Immunosuppressant Drugs Cause Lower Antibody Levels after COVID Vaccine than do Other Drugs Home » Research Studies

Lupkynis vs Benlysta for Lupus Nephritis: Dr. Thomas Has His Verdict!

Which is better for lupus nephritis? Here is my answer! Which is better for lupus nephritis? Benlysta or

Anti-inflammatory diet for lupus patients

Lupus and Vegetarian Diet: What is the best medical evidence?

Ask Dr. T Question about lupus diet and vegetarians Lupus and Vegetarian Diet? Eating a Vegetarian Diet can

DHEA and Lupus: Research shows it to be useful and good in some

Other Facts about DHEA and lupus – DHEA and lupus: DHEA stands for DeHydroEpiAndrosterone – It is produced

treatment of lupus showing a lot of pills tablets and capsules

Treatment of Lupus: Best Practices and Guidelines

The treatment of lupus has improved significantly over the past decade. Most patients can expect to go into

Survey about being diagnosed with lupus and The Lupus Foundation of America

Participate in this lupus survey if you live in the USA [Survey is closed]

The Lupus Foundation of America wants to learn more about the difficulties in being diagnosed with lupus Click

Benlysta is FDA approved to treat lupus nephritis

Benlysta approved for lupus nephritis: is it for mild cases?

Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild lupus nephritis? Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer

How to Diagnose Lupus: 10 Symptoms (October 2024 Update)

Lupus is a challenging autoimmune disease that can appear differently in each individual. Early diagnosis is crucial for

Research Results in Dealing with Autoimmune Disease Fatigue Now

The causes of fatigue and dealing with autoimmune disease fatigue. Tips on how to improve energy with

blood test for Epstein Barr virus and mononucleosis

Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine to Prevent Lupus and Other Diseases?

An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) vaccine to prevent lupus? EBV infection may be a common trigger, causing the

Bisphosphonate Drugs and Lupus

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, affects multiple organs and systems in the body, including the skeletal system. One

Woman using eye drops for dry eyes and lupus

Dry Eyes and Lupus: Eye Doctor Tips and Tricks

Dry eyes are very common in lupus patients, especially those with Sjogren’s disease. Around 25 to 30% of

Lupus Eyes

Lupus, as well as its treatments, can potentially affect the eyes. Understanding the impact of lupus on eye

Herbal supplements for lupus that worsen lupus

6 Supplements For Lupus That Worsen Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. This post discusses a 2024 research study

Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

…

Melatonin being produced by the pineal gland in lupus

Melatonin For Lupus May be Good Per the Best Medical Evidence [NEW!]

Melatonin For Lupus: What does the Research Show? (Updated August 2021) Why do people

Spotlight on a Good Poem by Devoted Lupus Warrior

Lupus by Lupus Warrior and Lupus Fighter Shanelle Gabrielle “I still have a purpose … A reason to

Sleep hygiene recommendations for lupus patients

Lupus and Sleep: Strategies to Sleep Better!

Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common: Strategies to improve your sleep (October 2024 Update) Tips on better sleep

CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Made Simple (October 2024 UPDATE)

The field of CAR-T therapies in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus is rapidly expanding. As of April 2024,

Beat cancer woman with pink gloves and pink ribbon for breast cancer

Lupus and Cancer Risk: Learn to Prevent Cancer! [August 2024]

People who have lupus have an increased risk for getting some cancers. Knowing what they are and how

The Lupus Encyclopedia book cover 2nd edition

Three Potential Book Covers for The Lupus Encyclopedia 2nd Edition

THE VOTE IS IN! See the new book cover below 315 people voted for the new book cover

Lupus, the Heart and Blood Vessels

Lupus can significantly impact the heart and blood vessels, known as the cardiovascular system. Understanding the relationship between

Lupus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. One of

Is Lupus Hereditary?

The Genetic Landscape: Is Lupus Hereditary? “Yes” Over 180 genes have been identified that increase the risk of

blood vessels vascular with red blood cells floating inside an artery

Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Helpful for Lupus [Suggests NIH study]

Lupus Research Article Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus This

Illustration of collecting a urine sample

How to collect a urine sample properly for testing (UPDATED January 2025)

It is essential for lupus patients to regularly collect an accurate clean catch urine sample

Malaria organism infecting a red blood cell

How does Hydroxychloroquine work for Lupus (SLE)? [JUN 2024 Update]

December 2022 update: Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying agent for lupus (along with Benlysta). Antimalarial drugs can treat autoimmune

Vitamin D supplement preventing disease: How to prevent lupus

How to Prevent Lupus & Other Autoimmune Diseases [July 2024 Update]

This blog post will give advice on how to prevent lupus and other autoimmune diseases. I will first

Connective Tissue Disease written on a white board by a doctor

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease: It Is Real! (October 2024 Update)

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is one of the most common rheumatologic diagnoses. Many systemic lupus patients start

Two arm wrestlers representing Saphnelo vs Benlysta

Saphnelo vs Benlysta? What is the Best Medicine for Lupus? [January 2025]

Update March 2024 Saphnelo is the only FDA-approved drug for SLE to have a randomized, placebo-controlled long-term extension

Anti-inflammatory diet for lupus and autoimmune diseases

Anti-inflammatory Diet for Autoimmune Disease: New Research (AI Protocol)

The Autoimmune Protocol (AI protocol) is another term for the anti-inflammatory diet. The chart below was shown to

The Best Soap for Lupus Patients (October 2024 Update)

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin, causing sensitivity and increased vulnerability to irritants. Finding the

Lupus and Purple Spots on Skin

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin. Purple spots

methotrexate for lupus bottle of methotrexate on label

Methotrexate for lupus: help it work better and prevent side effects [January 2025]

Methotrexate is one of the safest and most effective drugs for lupus. Since the 1980s, it has been

Type 1 interferon cytokines are inhibited by the anifrolumab FDA approval drug

Anifrolumab FDA approval to treat systemic lupus [Saphnelo]

Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) AstraZeneca announced its anifrolumab FDA approval on 8/2/2021. In

What to Know about a Lupus Nephritis Urine Sample [UPDATED June 2024]

Lupus patients should provide a urine sample regularly to see if there is possible inflammation of the kidneys

Managing Bone Health With Bisphosphonate Drugs

Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting bones and other body parts. Individuals with lupus may experience a higher

Improve Your Life: A Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flare Test

Revolutionary New Lab Test: Predicts if a lupus patient will have a systemic lupus erythematosus flare! A systemic

Woman taking pills out of a pill box organizer

Hydroxychloroquine Decreases the Risk of Death

Research article shows that taking hydroxychloroquine decreases the risk of death by 83%: Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on

News Flash COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients

Covid-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients: Please get your vaccine

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients

Lupus and Gastro Issues

Lupus and its treatments can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Understanding the

FDA approves Benlysta for lupus nephritis!

1st drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis Historic mile-stone! December 16, 2020: The FDA approved on

Proteinuria in lupus nephritis. This is what a kidney looks like

Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis: Video tips and the bottom line [FEB 2023 UPDATE]

UPDATE FEB 2023: Watch YouTube video about diagnosing lupus nephritis (LN) early, how it is diagnosed and what

Types of Rash in Lupus: A Comprehensive Guide

Lupus, an autoimmune disease, can cause a variety of skin manifestations, including different types of rashes. Understanding these

Pregnant black woman's stomach with a fetus ultrasound at image for having a successful pregnancy with lupus

How to Have a Successful Pregnancy with Lupus [July 2024 Update)

July 2024 Update: Summary of Research 2018 – 2023 (Annals of Rheumatic Diseases) 🔥Excellent summary on research in

A mask, needle, and syringe as symbols to protect from COVID-19

What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is

bacteria in urine bacteriuria can cause lupus flares

Bacteria in Urine Increases Lupus Flares

If we prevent bacteria in urine (bacteriuria), could we decrease lupus flares? Bacteria in urine was found in

Research Studies in Lupus

Which is better for lupus nephritis? ​Here is my answer!