The effect of race on incidence and clinical course in systemic lupus erythematosus: The Hopkins Lupus Cohort

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease of young women, has a higher incidence and prevalence in African Americans. The Hopkins Lupus Cohort, a prospective longitudinal study of SLE outcomes, has shown that race is a major predictor of clinical manifestations, laboratory and serologic tests, and disease-related morbidity. The effect of race on musculoskeletal morbidity remains even after adjustment for education, insurance status, and smoking.