The project represents a significant milestone in the field of SLE research, spanning nearly two decades and comprising one of the words most extensive population-based SLE cohorts. In collaboration with nine hospital in South East Norway, we meticulously map the disease course of every SLE patient in the region, spanning from 1999 to 2017 and including patients of all ages. At its core, our research project is dedicated to address critical knowledge gaps in SLE epidemiology, focusing on disease development, progression and prognosis. 

Projects from the Nor-SLE cohort include:

• Trends in incidence, prevalence and patient demographics over time
• Criteria evaluation – assessing the sensitivity of the different classification criteria in SLE
• Organ involvement and phenotypes across age groups
• Identification of early prognostic factors for disease complications and death
• Cancer occurrence

The Nor-SLE projects stands as a comprehensive effort aimed at advancing our understanding of SLE, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and outcome.

We are broadening the scope of our research by initiating a prospective study involving newly diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients as well as those SLE patients without renal complications, spanning from 2023 to 2026 including patients from Oslo University hospital (OUS), Martina Hansens Hospital and University hospital of North (UNN). The primary outcome of this study is to validate the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic impact, and monitoring effectiveness of our biomarkers, thereby enhancing the overall diagnostic framework using blood and urine samples. In addition, we are collaborating with European LUpuS Inception-Cohort Developing initiATivE (ELUCIDIATE ) – the largest European SLE biobank. The biobank, in particular, will facilitate the analysis of a diverse array of biological specimens, deepening our insight into the pathophysiology of SLE and supporting the creation of increasingly precise biomarkers. We are committed to improving SLE patient care and advancing kidney health.

In this epidemiological study, the primary objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the distribution, course, and dynamics of ANCA associated vasculitides within our local population (Oslo County) during the period 2000-2016 by establishing a population-based cohort. In this cohort we want to identify risk factors for four clinically important disease outcomes: clinical remission, relapse rate, development of organ damage and death. Moreover, our study seeks to investigate the prevalence and incidence trends throughout this 16-year timeframe.  Another aim is to test the sensitivity of the newly published 2022 EULAR/ACR classification criteria compared to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) algorithm from 2007. By a better understanding of these relapsing- remitting diseases course we ultimately wish to improve patient follow up and outcomes. 

Epidemiology of BD in Oslo: A population-based study of incidence, prevalence and patient demographics in Oslo. Ongoing data collection from all four Oslo based hospitals.
Cohort study: disease manifestations and evolution of clinical phenotypes, diagnosis and management of all patients from OUH, with is national, regional referral hospital for systemic vasculitis, as well as local hospital for the municipality of Oslo. 
Case studies: severe manifestations of BD

Establishment of The Norwegian Takayasu vasculitis study network/national cohort. Takayasu vasculitis (TAK) affects aorta and primary branches and less often coronary and pulmonary arteries.  

To date there is a lack of good prognostic markers to predict disease course which could ease the clinicans to choose appropriate treatment regime from the time of diagnosis. 

We are currently studying if PET-CT finding at the time of diagnosis can predict disease course and vascular damage accumulation. We have previously shown that Norwegian TAK patients have an increased mortality rate usually second to vascular incidents. We have an ongoing project to identify risk factors for subsequent cardio and cerebrovascular incidents in a population TAK cohort.

Our study, spanning multiple centers across Scandinavia, is at the forefront of identifying biomarkers for Lupus Nephritis within the broader category of chronic kidney disorders. We focus particularly on patients with autoimmune diseases that also affect kidney function. By utilizing rich biobanks and leveraging advanced OMICS techniques, our goal is to pinpoint proteins that can reliably indicate the presence of lupus nephritis. To confirm the effectiveness of these potential biomarkers, we are analyzing liquid biopsy samples, which include both urine and blood and kidney biopsies. Our efforts are supported by collaborations with leading institutions like Aarhus Hospital in Denmark and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, both of which maintain comprehensive patient databases. This partnership enhances the robustness of our study and helps ensure that our findings are both accurate and replicable in external independent data sets.

We have identified a novel biomarker that shows great promise as an inflammatory biomarker for autoimmune disorders. This biomarker is notably overexpressed in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) compared to control groups. Building on this discovery, we are actively pursuing research to examine the presence and levels of this biomarker across various autoimmune biobanks (Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Takayasu’s arteritis, Antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) , Multiple Sclerosis (MS), etc.) and in the context of infectious diseases. Our goal is to understand the broader applications of this biomarker and to potentially establish a new routine test, which will potentially outperform to current test (CRP) in autoimmune disease in terms of specificity.