Kellgren Centre successfully recruits 500th patient onto lupus study

Last week the research team at the Kellgren Centre for Rheumatology reached a key milestone in recruiting the 500th patient onto the BILAG (British Isles Lupus Assessment Group) Biologics Register study.

The BILAG BR study is an observational cohort study looking at patients with lupus who are starting treatment with a biologic drug or a conventional non-biologic therapy.

The aim of the study is to find out whether using biologics as treatment for lupus is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for infection, compared to lupus patients with similar disease activity receiving conventional treatments. The study will also look at the long-term efficacy of biological therapies in the treatment of lupus.

Principal Investigator Professor Ian Bruce, Lead Clinician at the Kellgren Centre said:

Thanks to the hard work of the research and clinical staff at the Kellgren Centre, we have been able to recruit a large number of patients onto this study. Observational cohort studies are important to ensure we are using the most effective treatments that are available for our patients.