A recent study published in Lupus Science & Medicine examined perceptions of clinical trials among a predominantly Black group of individuals diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The research surveyed 767 participants from the GOAL cohort, the largest primarily Black lupus cohort in the U.S. Among them, 80% identified as Black, and 94% were women. The survey included eight questions assessing their understanding of clinical trials, past recruitment or participation experiences, future willingness to enroll, and the impact of race and gender on participation. It also explored the significance of race- and gender-specific trials, as well as concerns about medical research trust and fears of being treated as a “guinea pig,” issues that have historically influenced Black participation in clinical research.
