Lupus Foundation of America Web Chat to Focus on Medication Adherence

WASHINGTON - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Medications are important for managing the signs and symptoms of lupus, a serious and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. To educate people with lupus about the need to adhere to their medications as prescribed, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) will host a live chat on the Foundation's website, www.lupus.org, on Monday, November 23, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The featured expert will be Dr. Sam Lim, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and Chief of Rheumatology at Grady Health Systems. Dr. Lim heads two large lupus clinics and is involved in several federal, state, and privately funded lupus research projects, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Georgia Lupus Registry (part of the National Lupus Patient Registries). He also serves on the LFA Medical-Scientific Advisory Committee.

Good communication between people with lupus and their doctors is essential to ensure effective management of the medicines that are prescribed. Medications used to treat lupus range in strength from mild to extremely strong, and often several drugs are used in combination to control the disease. An array of drug therapies is now available, and more than 30 clinical studies are underway of potential new treatments for lupus.

Individuals can access the chat at the following URL: http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/chat_login.html

Participants can submit questions during the course of the hour-long live chat, or in advance through the LFA website. A transcript of the chat will be posted within 24 hours following the chat.

About the Lupus Foundation of America

The LFA is the foremost national nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus, and providing support, services, and hope to all people affected by lupus. Founded in 1977, the LFA has a nationwide network of nearly 300 chapters and support groups and operates programs of research, education, and advocacy.

Lupus Foundation of America
Duane Peters, 202-349-1145
peters@lupus.org