Genetic and Immune Studies of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Conditions

Inclusion 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.