Research
Dr. Klein's research includes projects investigating pediatric lupus
including:
- Evaluation of thinking processes at onset of lupus and potential damage over time.
- Participation in a NIH funded project to evaluate
some of the possible genetic risk factors for lupus.
- Assessment of medical therapies of the treatment of lupus including drug
delivery and metabolism.
- Assessment of tools to monitor pediatric lupus disease activity and
damage.
- Assessment of potential markers that detect the onset of disease
activity.
She is also involved in projects investigating health services and the
economic burden of childhood rheumatic diseases.
Dr. Pachman's research interests center on the regulation of the immune
response, both in children with vascular involvement and rheumatic disease. Her
specific focus is the study of factors affecting the onset and course of the
most common pediatric inflammatory myopathy, juvenile dermatomyositis. This
focus is implemented by both a national NIH funded study of the epidemiology of
JDM (JDM - New Onset Juvenile Dermatomyositis Research Registry) and a NIAMS
sponsored laboratory based investigation of genetic and immunological factors
that may be associated with a short vs. a long disease course. The course of the
disease is altered by therapy; prednisone and other steroids are the primary
drugs now used to treat pediatric vascular inflammation.
Another study reviews data provided by children admitted to the Clinical
Research Center (no patient charges for study) concerning the way that vascular
inflammation alters the absorption and metabolism of prednisone when the drug is
given by mouth as compared to intravenous administration. In addition, other new
biological agents are under investigation for their effect on JDM and other
pediatric rheumatic diseases.
Dr. Miller's research interests include health status and drug treatment of
children with arthritis and related conditions. Dr. Miller is characterizing the
extent of problems in different areas of health status, determining which
problems are unique to arthritis patients, and which problems are a result of
chronic illness in general. Such research will be increasingly important in
justifying the need for special health services for children with chronic
illness. Dr. Miller also coordinates and participates in studies of new drugs
for treating children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.