News
The research has been published in the Lancet Rheumatology
We are pleased to share the latest advancement in autoimmune rheumatic disease research by Fabien Vincent, an alumnus of the 2013 Young Physician Leaders (YPL) programme. Dr. Vincent and his team have recently published a comprehensive review in The Lancet Rheumatology, titled "Systemic lupus erythematosus in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia: addressing disparities and barriers to optimising patient care".
Key Highlights of the Publication
Prevalence and Severity: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are two to four times more likely to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than the general Australian population. The severity is significantly higher, with mortality rates up to six times greater.
Clinical Manifestations: SLE in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples shows a distinct phenotype, with a higher prevalence of lupus nephritis and increased rates of progression to end-stage kidney disease.
Knowledge Gaps: There is a scarcity of studies investigating the socioeconomic, environmental and biological factors contributing to the increased prevalence and severity of SLE in this population. The review highlights these gaps and calls for more targeted research.
Health Disparities: The review identifies critical health disparities and deficiencies in healthcare provision that limit optimal care and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with SLE. Addressing these barriers is essential for improving patient care and outcomes.
Importance of the Research
This publication is a crucial step in raising awareness about the significant health inequities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with SLE. The insights provided by Dr. Vincent and his collaborators underscore the urgent need for focused research and culturally appropriate healthcare strategies to bridge these gaps.
About Fabien Vincent
Dr. Vincent specializes in rheumatology, autoimmunity and biomarker discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). He is committed to understanding the disparities in lupus prevalence and severity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations. His previous research aimed to establish a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lupus registry and biobank, nested within the Australian Lupus Registry & Biobank (ALRB), to personalize medicine approaches and bridge health gaps.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Vincent received the 2021 Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award. His continuous efforts in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing health disparities are commendable and align with the core values of the IAP's YPL programme.
The IAP commends YPL alumnus Fabien Vincent for his dedication to addressing health disparities in Indigenous populations. We encourage continued support for initiatives that enhance our understanding of autoimmune diseases and promote health equity.
For more details, you can access and download the research here.
Read more about Dr. Vincent and his previous work here.
Read more about the IAP YPL Programme here.
IAP Communication Assistant
