In the last six months we had quite a lot of activities.
Meetings take place in the evening to allow working person participation in the group.
After the resident regional group had appeared before the public via press, a contact between the resident clinics and the regional group has developed. Dr. Uwe Lang held a talk about "Clinical aspects of SLE", Dr. Heidemarie Becker about "Therapies in SLE" and Prof. Dr. Uwe Giebler about "Psychosocial aspects of SLE". This workshop not only helped the approximately 70 patients to improve their knoledge about the disease, but also supported contact between the doctors treating LE patients.
In the course of the regional conference of the German Society of Rheumatology, another workshop in the "new" federal contries took place in the Hygiene museum of Dresden. More than 50 patients, which had come in spite of a snow-strom, demonstrated impressively the interest in information about SLE. Dr. Kirsten Lüthke gave a lecture about "The so-called phospholipid-antibody-syndrome", Prof. Dr. Matthias Schneider about "Pregnancy - a problem in SLE? Interesting facts and special features". and Dr. Wildhagen about "Involvement of the central and peripheral nervous system".
Prof. Dr. Krüskemper gave a talk about problems and strategies to cope with a chronical illness. In particular she discussed the fact that SLE-patients often look better than they feel.
We were able to give a lot written and verbal information to physicians and medical professionals and hope to have contributed to the spreading of information about SLE and our association.
Dr. Thomas Dirschka had organised this workshop which was conducted by Prof. Dr. Altmeyer. In twelve different reports the patients were informed about SLE and sclerodermia. About 100patients were present.
This group has been existing for a long time as an independent group. We rate this joining of our association as a sign that all of us have to cooperate to get the interests of SLE-Patients accepted.
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schneider explained in his talk in Dortmund the variety of kidney involvements in SLE. Accordingly he introduced the diagnostic methodes and the therapies.
Of special importance in the last year was the fact that the dwindling funds lead to a clear drop of donations and promotions of self-help groups. Therefore we will have to increase savings and search for new financing in the future.
Nevertheless we will have many lectures and eight workshops in 1996.
But the most important event in 1996 will be the 10-year-anniversary of our association, which we will celebrate on the 5. October in Dortmund.
Borgi Winkler-Rohlfing
E. L. E. F.
European Lupus Erythematosus Federation