Hospital for Special Surgery Hosts LANtern® Lupus Health & Wellness Day event

NEW YORK, July 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) can be a confusing and challenging autoimmune illness, affecting multiple organ systems, but with culturally tailored education and emotional support, those affected can become empowered to take charge of their condition. Today, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a world leader in rheumatology, presented a LANtern® "Lupus Health & Wellness Day" event to offer information and support to Asian-American families affected with lupus. LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network) is the only national hospital-based bilingual support and education program dedicated to serving Asian-Americans with lupus and their families.

The event, held in English and Chinese, featured a panel discussion on the topic "Coping with Uncertainty in Lupus: Physician and Patient Perspectives" with Michael D. Lockshin, MD, rheumatologist and director of the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease at HSS, along with two patients who shared their personal experiences with lupus.

According to the Lupus Research Alliance, lupus is twice as prevalent in Asian-American women as it is in Caucasian women. 

During the panel Dr. Lockshin discussed the challenges of lupus, and the complexity of designing an appropriate treatment plan for patients. "Since symptoms vary considerably from patient to patient, it truly is a case-by-case basis when forming a treatment plan. For example, some patients might have rash or some might have arthritis, but they all have the same illness."

Dr. Lockshin advised, "When faced with uncertainty, it's especially important for patients and physicians to communicate openly. At HSS, we encourage patients to consistently voice their concerns and goals to their rheumatologists for the best course of treatment."

After the panel presentation, LANtern®'s senior manager My-Lan Tran, LCSW-R, moderated a Q&A session with the panelists and attendees.

"We are so pleased to hosta community health education program for the Asian American lupus community, their loved ones, and the public interested in learning more," said Ms. Tran. "HSS and LANtern® always encourage those with lupus to learn self-management skills for positive health outcomes."

To learn more information about LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network) at HSS, go to https://www.hss.edu/LANtern.asp.

About Hospital for Special Surgery
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics and No. 2 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2016-2017), and is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. HSS is an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and as such all Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are faculty of Weill Cornell. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. HSS has locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

www.hss.edu

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SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery