Living with Lupus? This Clinical Trial Wants to Help

Discover the facts about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide. Learn about common symptoms, causes, and how to increase awareness.

Sponsored by Merck

Let’s Talk about Lupus and a Clinical Study

Have you heard of lupus? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Lupus affects approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S., but, 63% of Americans surveyed have never heard of or know little about this disease.¹

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause symptoms such as pain, extreme fatigue, and physical impairment.² For others, there may be no visible symptoms.² There are four types of lupus, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type.^2,3 Because symptoms can be unclear, come and go, and can change, it can be hard to diagnose.³ 

Lupus is more common within the Black/African American community

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lupus is three times more likely to occur in Black women than White women. Additionally, Black women are more likely to get lupus at a younger age and may face more severe symptoms.⁴

REGINA lupus study: Clinical trial enrolling adults with a common type of lupus

There is a clinical study underway that is testing whether an investigational medicine is safe and whether it may work for people with SLE. 

Researchers are looking for people to join the REGINA lupus research study. To qualify, you must be age 18 or older and have moderate to severe SLE. If you are eligible for the clinical study, you:

• Will receive the study medicine or placebo (looks like the study medicine, but has no active ingredients) and study-related medical exams at no cost. 
• May be paid back for any travel-related study costs, such as bus fare or gas for driving to and from the study site. 

Please note, participants may or may not directly benefit from study participation.

Ask your doctor if you may be eligible for this study. For more information, visit www.merckclinicaltrials.com/lupustrial.

1. https://www.lupus.org/news/lupus-foundation-of-america-survey-more-than-half-of-americans-lack-awareness-understanding-of-lupus
2. https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupus-facts-and-statistics
3. https://www.cdc.gov/lupus/about/index.html 
4. https://www.lupus.org/s3fs-public/Doc%20-%20PDF/Ohio/African%20Americans%20and%20Lupus.pdf

lupus, autoimmune disease, chronic, symptoms, causes, awareness, disease education, treatment options

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