Highlights from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics World Lupus Seminar on Africa

Members of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) group along with experienced physicians providing lupus clinical care and research in Africa convened to exchange information about systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the region. During the meeting, participants reviewed recent advancements and ongoing challenges in the region and discussed potential collaborations between SLICC members and African colleagues to enhance SLE clinical care, research, and education.

Highlights of the SLICC World Lupus—Seminar on Africa:

• There is lack of awareness about SLE among non-rheumatology healthcare providers and the general public and educational programs for patients, families as well as for primary care physicians is needed.
  • SLICC is exploring if successful educational programs from Latin America can be implemented in Africa.
• Increasing access to diagnostic tests and treatments across Africa is needed and using past and ongoing health awareness campaigns, such as HIV, may be beneficial to improve access and adherence to lupus treatment.
• Capturing robust epidemiological information about SLE in Africa is imperative to secure funding and additional resources for clinical care of rheumatic diseases, including SLE.
  • SLICC will strive to incorporate African centers in future multicenter observational cohort studies and will also investigate methods to enhance the dissemination of SLE research findings from Africa.
• Genetic research is necessary to identify the genetic and epigenetic traits of African patients with SLE. 

To facilitate shared learning and ensure that the entire global SLE community benefits from the learnings, representation from Africa in future research (genetic studies and drug development), education and SLE initiatives (clinical practice guidelines, outcome measures and classification criteria) were discussed. African colleagues will be involved in the current update of SLICC/Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) Damage Index, as a start. 

Ensuring equal representation within international SLE research groups like SLICC, alongside colleagues from other regions, is essential and long overdue. Meeting attendees agreed this inclusivity will enhance the strength of these types of organizations and the quality of their work. The Lupus Foundation of America is proud to support international research through the SLICC program. Learn more about LFA funded research.

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