Thiruvananthapuram, May 20 (PTI) Precision medicine is emerging as a revolutionary approach to managing SLE, a complex autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women, according to leading global rheumatology
experts.
SLE refers to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a press release issued here on Wednesday said.
Speaking at a recent two-day conclave, “Lupus Connect 2.0,” clinicians emphasised that personalised therapeutic pathways can effectively control the disease, prevent severe organ damage, and significantly improve patient outcomes.
The conference was jointly organised by the Institute of Rheumatology and Immunology Sciences (IRIS) and the Women’s Health in Rheumatology Association (WHIRA) here from May 16, the release said.
Lupus causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues, leading to widespread inflammation, chronic pain, and potential organ failure if left untreated.
Dr Ioannis Parodis, Associate Professor of Rheumatology at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, noted that the disease affects over half a million people globally.
He pointed out that a lack of awareness remains one of the most critical barriers to timely diagnosis and effective management, often allowing the condition to progress unchecked in its early stages, according to the statement.
Dr John Mathew, Professor and Head of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at CMC Vellore, explained that precision medicine leverages advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to analyse a patient’s clinical symptoms, genetic profile, and environmental factors.
By tailoring interventions to an individual’s unique biological makeup rather than relying on a generalised treatment plan, clinicians can optimise efficacy, minimise drug dosage, and prevent systemic complications, he added.
A major clinical challenge identified by experts is the prolonged delay in diagnosis, which currently averages nearly six years from the onset of initial symptoms.
This delay significantly increases the risk of severe complications involving vital organs such as the kidneys, skin, blood, lungs, heart, and joints, the statement noted.
Dr Vishad Viswanath, Secretary of the Indian Rheumatology Association Kerala Chapter and Director of IRIS, stressed that early detection combined with precision medicine allows clinicians to intercept the disease at its root.
This proactive approach can drastically reduce the physical, psychological, social, and economic burden on patients and their families, the expert added.
The statistical burden in India is substantial, with recent data showing that approximately 50 out of every 100,000 women suffer from lupus.
Addressing financial barriers to care, the central government has integrated coverage for the disease under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the release said.
Eligible families receive up to Rs 5 lakh annually, covering cashless hospitalisation, diagnostic evaluations, inpatient medications, and both pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses.
Dr Amita Aggarwal, Executive Director of AIIMS Bibinagar, who has dedicated four decades to lupus research, emphasised that governments and healthcare networks must collaborate to launch large-scale public awareness campaigns to help patients manage the disease and lead normal, productive lives.
The medical conclave also featured specialised case study presentations by rheumatology scholars and saw active participation from leading medical experts, the statement added.
Precision medicine (generally considered synonymous with personalised or individualised medicine) is an innovative approach that uses information about an individual’s genomic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to guide medical management.
The goal of precision medicine is to provide a more precise approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. PTI LGK SSK
