Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vitamin Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vitamin D repletion on disease activity and disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The investigators hypothesize that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with vitamin D deficiency have greater disease activity and disability, compared to RA patients with normal vitamin D levels. The investigators also hypothesize that vitamin D treatment in these deficient patients will result in a decrease in RA disease activity and disability.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria
• ages 18-75 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of any other autoimmune disease:

such as Lupus, Scleroderma, Myositis, Sjogren's Syndrome, Vasculitis'

• Having any of the following conditions with in the last 6 months Hypercalcemia, Hyperparathyroidism, Active tuberculosis (TB), Lymphoma or any other type of cancer, Sarcoidosis, Seizure, Stroke
• Severe heart problems
• Kidney failure requiring dialysis treatment
• Liver failure or cirrhosis of the liver
• Poorly controlled hypertension
• current uncontrolled Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or other Psychiatric illness
• Pregnancy