Gene Expression in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) and JSpA
Purpose
The purpose of this research study is to investigate the causes of and responses to medications for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and juvenile spondylarthropathies (JSpA) by studying which genes are turned on and off at several points in time within the first few years of the start of arthritis.
Approximately 300 subjects from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and four other sites in the United States will take part in this study.
Parents and siblings of subjects will also be asked for a single blood sample during the study to compare the genes that children with arthritis inherit with those of their unaffected siblings.
Specifications
- Subjects are in the study for two years.
- There will be at least four blood samples collected over the two years, and potentially up to four additional blood samples if a subject is treated with certain medications during these two years. Every effort will be made to obtain study blood samples at the same time that the subject's rheumatologist gets blood tests to monitor arthritis and side effects of medication.
- If a joint tap is required for treatment, a sample of joint fluid will be obtained along with a matching blood sample.
- Clinical information (from the child's medical record) will be collected as study data.
- Demographic information (name, address, phone numbers) will be collected in order to maintain contact with subjects and their families.
- Questionnaires pertaining to abilities will be filled out when samples are collected.
- Subjects will not be paid or compensated for participation since all study visits will coincide with regular clinic visits.
Contact Us
For more information about this study, please contact study coordinator Julie Ranz, RN, 513-636-8033, or Physician Clinical Coordinator Thomas Griffin, MD, PhD, 513-636-3338.
