[NIHR CRN Portfolio Study ID: 31852]
Status: Closed to recruitment
There are many reports that strongly suggest that certain bacteria living in the mouth and in the intestines of RA patients may cause and/or worsen RA. The purpose of the observational IRMA study is to identify RA patients who also have periodontitis (inflammation in their gums caused by bacteria) and compare them to healthy individuals. We will compare the presence of bacteria in the mouth with the RA disease activity and severity and investigate whether the presence of periodontitis and certain bacteria are related to the inflammation in joints and the severity of RA disease. The long-term goal is to determine if treating periodontitis, caused by certain bacteria, may help to improve the outcomes for patients with RA.
Biological samples (tissue & fluids) were collected at three timepoints over a 24-week follow-up period and are linked to stringent clinical outcome measures. Baseline synovial tissue biopsies were collected, along with blood samples including whole blood, serum, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and DNA. In addition, stool samples and oral samples (saliva, GCF, and plaque) were also collected.
Supported by NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre