Non-Profit RA Research Needs Your Help

[Guest guest]

Dear readers of this group:

I hope you will find this information interesting and useful, and that

you will consider participating in research at The National Databank

for Rheumatic Diseases. This is not an offer for a product or a

service, but just a volunteer opportunity to help doctors and patients

understand and treat the disease.

I apologize if this message is not appropriate here.

If you have any questions, please contact me directly at aaron.wolfe

at arthritis-research.org.

Thanks,

- Wolfe

Arthritis Research Needs Your Help

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia or

another rheumatic disease--anything that you would see a

rheumatologist or joint specialist about--you can help improve the

treatment and outcomes of these conditions.

What is the NDB?

The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases (NDB) is a non-profit

research databank for the study of arthritis and rheumatic conditions.

The NDB collects data directly from persons who have these problems.

The primary goal of NDB research is to advance knowledge about the

causes, costs, treatments, and results of treatments related to

rheumatic conditions. Another important goal of the NDB project is to

stimulate research and study by health professionals by making NDB

data available for medical research.

Every six months more than 10,000 people contribute to this important

research by volunteering approximately an hour of their time to answer

questions about their condition and how it affects their lives. This

is done by computer online or with paper questionnaires sent in the

mail. All information provided remains completely confidential.

How to enroll in NDB research:

Visit us on the Web at http://www.arthritis-research.org/patients.htm

Answers to common questions about NDB research:

Why should I participate?

People volunteer to participate in research for a variety of reasons.

The primary reason people give for NDB participation is that they want

to contribute to medical research that may help others with their

disease. With a debilitating disease like arthritis or other rheumatic

conditions it can sometimes be difficult to volunteer in a traditional

setting. NDB research allows you to volunteer in an important way.

How often will I get a questionnaire?

Every 6 months. Questionnaires take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to

complete. Returning your questionnaire within two weeks makes you

eligible for a $1,000 prize given to three people chosen at random.

You will also receive a biannual newsletter and access to an online

discussion group.

Does it cost anything to participate?

No. We pay all of the postage and have a toll-free phone line for

questions.

Who will see my questionnaire and information about me?

Only the NDB research staff. Once your information is in our research

Databank your name is removed for research purposes. Researchers using

the Databank for medical research cannot identify you. We have been

collecting arthritis data for more than 25 years, and during that

time, no outside person has ever had access to anyone's name. No one

ever will.

What kind of questions will you ask?

We ask about: Pain. Functional and work ability. Disability. Joints

that are affected. Symptoms. Treatments with medications and surgery.

Side effects. How you manage with your illness.

What happens to the information I provide?

The information is entered into a computer databank for use by medical

researchers. Researchers describe their findings in medical journals

and presentations at national and international meetings. That way,

all doctors who treat arthritis are able to receive the benefit from

the research, helping them to provide better medical care to people

with arthritis and similar medical conditions.

Which rheumatologists work with this project?

More than 800 rheumatologists from across the U.S. have helped. Dr.

Fred Wolfe is the Project Director.

For more information:

Please visit out web site, www.arthritis-research.org, email

aaron.wolfe@..., or call 1-800-323-5871.