Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs such as skin, joints, kidneys and others. This results in a wide range of symptoms that can vary greatly among individuals. Disease severity can vary too and has the potential to cause complications such as end-stage kidney failure and premature death. While it presents most commonly in females of childbearing age, it can affect males and females of any age. The cause of lupus is not well understood. There is currently no cure for lupus, but treatments are available to help manage the symptoms, minimise the disease burden, and improve quality of life.

 

The Australian Lupus Registry and Biobank (ALRB) was established by Monash University, to serve as a platform for clinician-researchers to collect data and biological samples from Australian patients diagnosed with SLE. It is a collaborative project involving a number of healthcare institutions, in order to provide data to reflect standard of care and treatment outcomes unique to the Australian context of managing SLE. The data acquired by the ALRB will hopefully help researchers improve treatment options and develop better preventative strategies and healthcare policies that are relevant for SLE patients.