If you join the study, you will have a visit to see if you qualify. During this visit, you will fill out a survey, get a physical exam, have your joints checked, and be given a take home stool collection kit. You will have a small amount of blood drawn from your arm with a needle. You may have two more visits – one at 4 months and one at 6 months. At these visits, you will fill out surveys, have your joints checked, and give another blood sample. If you have enough swelling in your joints, you may have small tissue samples taken from your wrist, knee, or ankle. This is called a synovial biopsy. If your RA symptoms or medicines change, we may ask you to come in for one extra visit. You can get up to $235 for completing a visit when a joint biopsy procedure is completed and $35 for a visit when a small amount of your blood is drawn.

Who can Participate

You can join this study if you are 18 years old or older, have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and have at least one swollen or tender wrist, knee, or ankle. Subjects may not be taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for more than 2 weeks prior to enrollment Subjects may not be taking Methotrexate (MTX) for more than 2 weeks prior to enrollment

Study ID