It’s Your Body.
It’s Our Science at Work for You.
Help scientists discover the genes that put you and your family at risk.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune illness that can cause swelling, pain and damage to joints. It affects approximately 2.1 million Americans. On Long Island, there are approximately 30,000 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.  

The New York Rheumatoid Arhtritis Registry (NYRAR) will allow scientists to study the function of genes under different conditions which may contribute to the development, severity or prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study is being conducted at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, part of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Care System.

Any adult in the NYC/Long Island area who has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis can become part of this vital study.  Our goal is 1,000 participants. Anyone interested can call the research nurse, Kathryn LaRussa, at 516-562-1373 or send an e-mail to narac@nshs.edu to ask questions about the Registry and have a short telephone interview.

Study visits will take an hour or less, and will include signing of informed consent, blood sample for DNA, joint exam, and completion of a health questionnaire related to rheumatoid arthritis.
 

About the Director

Peter K. Gregersen, MD, is the Director of the Robert S. Boas Center for Genomics and Human Genetics  at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research of North Shore-LIJ Health System. Dr. Gregersen’s drive to understand the genetic contributions to a broad array of human diseases is the major impetus for creation of the New York Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry. Dr. Gregersen is the lead investigator in a nationwide consortium of scientists seeking to identify risk genes for Rheumatoid Arthritis.