Kelly Brown

PhD

Investigator, BC Children's Hospital

In Canada, rheumatic conditions are the most common chronic illness of childhood, affecting as many as 10 000 of our children and youth. Examples of rheumatic diseases are juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus, vasculitis and autoinflammatory conditions. The common denominator for all is pain and / or inflammation in joints, muscles, and critical organs. Some diseases are life- or organ- threatening and all have significant potential for lifelong poor health and disability. There are no cures and remarkably few treatments that are specific and safe for a growing child. My research program is designed to generate an evidence base for clinical decisions that ultimately improve outcomes for Canadian children and families affected by rheumatic disease.