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University of Crete, HeraklionThe group has a long-standing interest in autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In these diseases we are exploring issues related to early diagnosis and primary prevention, pathogenesis and biologic therapy. For issues related to early diagnosis and primary prevention we have established a cohort of approximately 20,000 pre and post-menopausal women that we follow prospectively. For studies of the pathogenesis and treatment we have two large cohorts of patients with these diseases (approximately 1,500 RA patients and 350 SLE patients). In RA we explore the pathophysiological role of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF in various aspects of the disease and the role of innate immunity and peripheral tolerance. At the clinical level we study the efficacy and tolerability of new biologic therapies. Our centre has organized a nation-wide Greek registry of biologics in patients with rheumatic diseases. We also explore the role of the environment and Mediterranean diet in arthritis and atherosclerotic disease in RA.
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