University of Illinois Chicago Multi-Ethnic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Registry

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, affects different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The study focuses on minorities such as African American and Hispanic/Latino patients, who are more commonly affected and may experience more severe outcomes. Researchers want to find out if specific genes linked to DCM are more frequent in these groups and how medical, social, and financial challenges contribute to the disease's impact. Participants will join the UIC Multi-Ethnic DCM Biorepository, where their genetic information will be collected and analyzed to see how often certain gene variants appear across different races and ethnicities. The study will not involve treatments but will observe and record health data over time to assess the severity of DCM and its symptoms. The focus is on understanding how a person's environment and genetic background influence their heart condition. During the study, participants will provide consent and share health information, including completing questionnaires like the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire if they have or develop heart failure. Researchers will monitor genetic variants and symptom severity at multiple time points, such as 12, 24, and 60 months after enrollment or diagnosis. The study aims to help improve heart care equity by identifying factors that affect disease severity among ethnic minorities. Participation may last several years, with ongoing data collection and evaluation.

UIC Multi-Ethnic DCM Registry