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NewsPatients – and research partners
We work for and with the patients and are striving to involve them as much as possible, as equal and active research partners in this project. Our goal is to engage them in the planning and performance of studies, says coordinator Lars Klareskog, who hopes that more rheumatology clinics will employ ”expert patients” like Swedish Carina Andrén (see separate article) in the future.
Information based on patient data and experiences is of invaluable use for most medical researchers. The main task for the translational and interdisciplinary research performed by AutoCure scientists, is to understand the origins and outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory myophaties. A goal that only can be reached by active collaboration with patients.
Thanks to one of the largest RA-patient cohorts in Europe AutoCure researchers have already been able to show how genes and environmental factors interact and how this affects the outcome of the disease.
– Prediction and early treatment are important objectives for us, not least because this possibly also can prevent some of the severe complications of RA. Our findings on genes and risk factors are very useful for patients because we are now able to provide them with information of what they can do themselves to prevent or alleviate the symptoms. By showing that life style changes, such as no smoking, more exercise and healthy eating, the patients can be empowered, more in control of their disease.
Professor Lars Klareskog,
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