All current BRASS subjects are being invited to participate in a research study called Screening for Interstitial Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA.

 

The purpose of this study is to develop a way to predict a disease called interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis, a disorder of the lungs that consists of scarring of lung tissue that can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This could allow doctors to identify which individuals with rheumatoid arthritis need CT scans and lung function tests, as well as better measure disease activity.

 

We are looking for patients over the age of 18 years old with rheumatoid arthritis. Participation would involve a clinic visit at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, during which you would be formally enrolled in the study. There are no medications involved. Participation includes filling out questionnaires, giving blood samples, seeing how far you can walk in 6 minutes, and obtaining lung function tests and a CT scan. After the initial clinic visit, there will be 1 similar follow-up visit 2 years later.

 

Compensation for this study includes reimbursement for parking and a $25 Amazon gift card, which you will receive at the first study visit.

 

If you would like to learn more about the study, please contact Dr. Tracy J. Doyle (study primary investigator) at 617-525-6799 or at [email protected]