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This protocol will examine blood, synovial fluid and synovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory joint diseases to study genetic and immunologic factors involved in the cause, development and progression of these conditions. Synovial fluid is the lubricating fluid in joints. The synovial membrane is a delicate tissue lining the inner surface of joints, which, in arthritic conditions, thickens and becomes infiltrated with various types of cells.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and certain patients with other forms of arthritis may be eligible for this study. Those enrolled will be followed periodically for follow-up and disease evaluation. They may undergo the following procedures:
Patients who qualify for other research studies may be invited to participate.
Full description
Blood, synovial fluids and/or synovial tissues will be obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and related chronic inflammatory arthritides. The synovial tissues will be obtained by one of the following methods: a) needle biopsy, or b) at the time of a total joint replacement or a therapeutic arthroscopic procedure. These materials will be utilized for laboratory studies of etiopathogenetic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune joint diseases.
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Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly new onset disease, but certain patients with other forms of arthritis will also be included.
Significantly swollen or tender knee or significantly swollen shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles, olecranon bursa or even smaller joints.
Synovial tissue specimens will not be obtained from patients when any of the following conditions are present: abnormal bleeding or clotting tests, platelet count less than 100,000, or sepsis.
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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