The difficulty in diagnosing lupus, which can cause diagnostic delays, is due to the disease’s complex nature and the lack of clear diagnostic criteria and referral pathways for non-specialists. To address this issue, a series of virtual meetings were held with various stakeholders, including lupus physicians, biotechnology treatment developers, patient advocacy groups, and advocacy/government consultants.
The discussions highlighted the need for advancements in biotechnology and a clearer understanding of the definition of lupus to support accurate and timely diagnoses. The use of patient-reported data, digital health tools, and multiomic analysis can aid in developing biomarkers for early and accurate diagnosis, personalized medicine, and comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms.
The stakeholders will play a crucial role in driving the development and acceptance of a new definition of lupus, and there are several recommendations for the next steps to be taken. These include conducting additional research into the natural history of the disease, improving definitions of lupus endotypes, conducting prevention trials, and leveraging emerging research and professional networks to implement provider training and referral pathways.
To read more, Click here – https://lupus.bmj.com/content/lupusscimed/10/1/e000856.full.pdf
Sources: Bruce, Ian N., et al. “Lupus spectrum ambiguity has long-term negative implications for patients.” (2023): e000856.