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Colossal Shortage of Rheumatologists is Here: Panic?

posted in Miscellaneous Lupus Topics on April 24, 2021 by

Donald Thomas, MD

Updated September 25, 2021

World-wide shortage of rheumatologists= getting worse. This is why it is getting harder to get an appointment with a rheumatologist.

Map of the USA showing shortage of rheumatologists for lupus patients
This NASA night view of the US looks very similar to the recent US map showing where rheumatologists are concentrated

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CBD for Lupus: Look here for the best advice [2023 Update]

posted in Complementary Alternative Medicine on April 22, 2021 by

Donald Thomas, MD

Updated December 29, 2023

Medical Marijuana (Cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, CBD for Lupus)?

Should patients use CBD or other cannabis products for lupus? With the increasing popularity and availability of cannabis and CBD, many lupus patients ask, “How about using these for lupus?” This online …


NOTE: Johns Hopkins University Press, publisher of The Lupus Encyclopedia, is a nonprofit publisher. If you purchase JHUP books, like The Lupus Encyclopedia, you support projects like Project MUSE.


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Saphnelo for Lupus: One of Two Approved Biologics [February 2025 Update]

posted in Drugs used in lupus on April 18, 2021 by

Donald Thomas, MD

Updated February 26, 2025

Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) effectively treats individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. It reduces the overactivity of an immune system molecule at the heart of lupus immune system dysfunction: type 1 interferon. This article discusses some aspects of Saphenlo. Also, please see my

For more in-depth information on Saphnelo for Lupus: One of Two Approved Biologics [February 2025 Update]:

Read more in The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2

Look up your symptoms, conditions, and medications in the Index of The Lupus Encyclopedia

If you enjoy the information from The Lupus Encyclopedia, please click the “SUPPORT” button at the top of the page to learn how you can help. 


What are your comments and opinions?

If you have lupus, what has your experience been? What do you recommend for other patients?

Do you have any questions to ask Dr. Thomas?

Please click on “Leave a Comment” above to comment.

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COVID Vaccine and Lupus: Join in a Research Study Now

posted in COVID-19 on April 14, 2021 by

Donald Thomas, MD

Updated May 15, 2023

How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study

The NIH is studying how the COVID vaccine and lupus interact. Please consider participating in this important research.


NOTE: Johns Hopkins University Press, publisher of The Lupus Encyclopedia, is a nonprofit publisher. If you purchase JHUP books, like The Lupus Encyclopedia, you support projects like Project MUSE.


You can also click

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Can Discoid Lupus Turn into Systemic?- “Sure” Now more about the truth

posted in Skin Problems in Lupus on April 11, 2021 by

Donald Thomas, MD

Updated December 29, 2023

The Latest Research Answers the Question:

“Can discoid lupus turn into systemic lupus erythematosus?”

Discoid lupus erythematosus on the cheek of a white woman with systemic lupus


NOTE: Johns Hopkins University Press, publisher of The Lupus Encyclopedia, is a nonprofit publisher. If you purchase JHUP books, like The Lupus Encyclopedia, you support projects like Project MUSE.


Discoid lupus: note the round “disc” shape, the outer active inflamed border is pink, the central area has scar tissue

“Can discoid lupus turn into systemic

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Intravenous Immunoglobulin: IVIG for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

posted in Drugs used in lupus on April 4, 2021 by

Donald Thomas, MD

Updated February 26, 2025

Immune globulins (also called immunoglobulins) are antibodies. A large number of antibodies given in IVIG for systemic lupus erythematosus may help in some autoimmune disorders such as polymyositis and dermatomyositis. However, IVIG is not commonly used for SLE. It is …


NOTE: Johns Hopkins University Press, publisher of The Lupus Encyclopedia, is a nonprofit publisher. If you purchase JHUP books, like The Lupus Encyclopedia, you support projects like Project MUSE.


For more in-depth information on Intravenous Immunoglobulin: IVIG for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

Read more in The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2

Look up your symptoms, conditions, and medications in the Index of The Lupus Encyclopedia

If you enjoy the information from The Lupus Encyclopedia, please click the “SUPPORT” button at the top of the page to learn how you can help. 


What are your comments and opinions?

If you have lupus, what has your experience been? What do you recommend for other patients?

Do you have any questions to ask Dr. Thomas?

Please click on “Leave a Comment” above to comment.

Please support “The Lupus Encyclopedia” blog post page

Click on “SUPPORT” at the top of the page to learn how you can support “The Lupus Encyclopedia

This article includes contributions from