Health Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Health Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

This research is being done to help us learn about how different factors related to treatment affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is not a treatment study. We will follow the patient for one year as he or she receives usual treatment from his or her rheumatologist. Up to 360 adults with RA may join this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females age 19 or older
• Current active, adult-onset rheumatoid arthritis who meet American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA and have: (ACR functional class I-III), defined as:
• 3 or more swollen or tender joints and
• Morning stiffness of 45min or longer
• OR judged by their rheumatologist to have active disease
• No evidence of other inflammatory diseases (e.g., Crohn's, IBS)
• Functional class I, II or III

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with significant cardiovascular disease (CHF, stroke, MI)
• Unwilling to have medications monitored and/or comply with protocol
• Not fluent in English
• Planning to move from area within next year or change health insurance (which would preclude ongoing care by a Johns Hopkins rheumatologist)
• Enrolled in study evaluating efficacy of new or existing RA medications