Lupus Research Study
Researchers at NYU Langone Health are conducting a research study on the shingles vaccine for adults with lupus.
Fast Facts
Adults diagnosed with lupus
Never received a shingles vaccine
Help advance lupus research and you may receive up to $520
Conducted in
New York City, NY
Study Background
People with lupus may have a higher risk of developing shingles, and researchers want to better understand how safe and effective the shingles vaccine is for this population.
Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Even if you had chickenpox as a child or received the chickenpox vaccine, the virus can remain in your body and reactivate later in life. Shingles often causes a painful, blistering rash and can sometimes lead to long-lasting nerve pain. It is more common in people with autoimmune conditions, including lupus.
The shingles vaccine has been FDA-approved since 2018 and has been widely used for several years. Some research has even suggested it may lower the risk of dementia. However, more information is needed about how the vaccine works in people living with lupus, including whether it increases the risk of lupus flares and how well the immune system responds. This study aims to help answer those important questions.
Study Background
People with lupus may have a higher risk of developing shingles, and researchers want to better understand how safe and effective the shingles vaccine is for this population.
Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Even if you had chickenpox as a child or received the chickenpox vaccine, the virus can remain in your body and reactivate later in life. Shingles often causes a painful, blistering rash and can sometimes lead to long-lasting nerve pain. It is more common in people with autoimmune conditions, including lupus.
The shingles vaccine has been FDA-approved since 2018 and has been widely used for several years. Some research has even suggested it may lower the risk of dementia. However, more information is needed about how the vaccine works in people living with lupus, including whether it increases the risk of lupus flares and how well the immune system responds. This study aims to help answer those important questions.
Additional Information
This study is being done to gain more information about how the vaccine works in people living with lupus and how well the immune system responds.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults diagnosed with lupus
- Not currently experiencing a flare where symptoms are worse than the previous month
- Never received a shingles vaccine
- Have not had shingles in the past 12 months
- Have not been treated with Rituximab (Rituxan) or Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) in the last 9 months
- Not currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
- Ages 18+
If you choose to participate:
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You will attend 8 in-person visits with a rheumatologist in New York City, NY or Oklahoma City, OK.
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Each visit lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours.
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At 4 visits, you will receive an injection. Two injections will be the shingles vaccine, and two will be a placebo injection (saline).
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At every visit, blood and urine samples will be collected.
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You will receive a free consultation with a rheumatologist at each visit and free blood work with results provided to you.
A member of the research team will contact you to review your responses and schedule a screening visit if you may qualify.
Participants receive $65 per visit via direct deposit, for up to $520 total, as well as a free consultation with a rheumatologist at every visit and free blood work with results.
All study visits are provided at no cost and are not billed to your insurance. The $65 per visit also serves as transportation reimbursement.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.