Many autoimmune diseases are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies. These may be present long before disease starts, but what triggers the transition from autoimmunity (the presence of the antibodies) to disease is unknown, but is likely to include both environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility. What are the risk factors for the transition to disease? Are these modifiable? In which patients is the risk... more »

Goal: Survey patients with autoimmune diseases for information on occupational and other life style exposures to factors associated with autoimmunity (smoking, silica dust, solvents, etc). Build data bases containing clinical parameters, blood tests, and exposure data to help identify putative diagnostic criteria. Compare with patients having idiopathic autoimmunity (i.e. lacking known risk exposures)

Identify a group of participants with environmental/food allergies and ask if the allergies are well controlled. Use observational data over many years to determine the relative rate of development of autoimmune/inflammatory illness in participants whose allergies are/are not well controlled.

The process of diagnosis for autoimmune disease is often prolonged and difficult. Current testing (e.g. ANA test) is often not well-correlated with the disease status and can impede diagnosis. A longitudinal study could be done with this data set to look for other biomarkers that might be better correlated with disease state, facilitating early diagnosis.

Goal - Survey patients with Celiac Disease, Hashimotos and other autoimmune diseases to evaluate lifestyle, environment, food, antibiotics, and previous stomach viruses to see what has triggered the onset of various autoimmune diseases. Is the similarity of the molecules that the body attacks significant (ex- thyroid and gluten)? If left unaddressed more autoimmune diseases can develop. What do people with autoimmune... more »

Develop meta-analyses for autoimmune diseases and cancers that affect the greatest number of people. Through these analyses, develop hypotheses regarding similar infection routes and disease development. Identify common intervention protocols that could halt one or both kinds of disease. Involve expertise in both categories of disease so immediate sharing of knowledge will preclude withholding potential benefits to the... more »

Comparisons of patients with autoimmune diseases and latent viruses with a control groups having only one factor ensuring a statistically representative sample by gender, age, and race.

By prospectively assessing exposures to environmental chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), All of Us could evaluate whether these exposures are contributing to the rising incidence of autoimmune diseases in young adults. Intermediate biological outcomes related to thyroid function, inflammation, and immune response could be assessed.

Studies have shown that individuals with autoimmune diseases and other immune disorders are at increased the risk of developing lymphoma later in life, but the biological mechanisms are unclear. Better characterization of the risk, specific lymphoma subtypes involved, and the impact of treatment along with an understanding of disease mechanisms is critical for prevention of lymphoma in this highly susceptible population.... more »

Tens of millions of Americans are effected by autoimmune diseases, a majority of which are women. Biopharmaceuticals are prescribed even during pregnancy. It is assumed maternal health is monitored closely as it fetal health, however, what are the long term effects on the child's health and how do biopharmaceuticals effect those children's long term disease risk profiles.

Preterm delivery is a serious problem. SLE and RA patients have increased pregnancy morbidity before diagnosis and their healthy sisters have increased rates of pregnancy complications. Therefore, pre-clinical autoimmunity or inflammation may affect pregnancy outcomes. Reproductive and family history, and rheumatic disease symptoms, would be collected and correlated with hsCRP levels and autoantibody production in a... more »

Autoimmune diseases afflict nearly 1 in 12 Americans and many more have autoantibodies but no evidence of clinical disease. Recent work has identified biomarkers or clinical symptoms which associate with subsequent developing development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and NIH-funded prevention trials are underway. AoU provides a unique opportunity to identify at risk individuals through... more »