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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
23763466 Negotiating disability in everyday life: ethnographical accounts of women with rheumatoid 2014 PURPOSE: Drawing on data from a larger study, the aim of this paper is to illuminate how the everyday doings of women with disabilities are coordinated to and shaped by organizational processes and social context, particularly as these relate to the potential of being labelled disabled. METHODS: An institutional ethnography was conducted with seven Austrian women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interviews and participant observations were conducted, and texts about the historical development of disability policies were identified. Data analysis included grouping similar doings of participants together to subsequently explore links between what the women did and how their doings are shaped by disability policies and the social context. RESULTS: The women, who participated in this study, spent time and effort to keep the disease invisible, resist disability and negotiate a disability pass. By drawing upon the historical development of Austrian disability policies, the interpretation reveals how this development infiltrates into participants' lives and shapes their everyday doing. CONCLUSION: This study furthers understanding of how broader policies and practices, shaped over historical time, infiltrate into the daily lives of women with disabilities. It illustrates how full participation may not necessarily be a lived reality for people with disabilities at this point in Austria. Implications for Rehabilitation Maximising full participation for people with rheumatoid arthritis is important. This requires focusing not only on the bodily health of people with rheumatoid arthritis but also on their interaction with the social, cultural and political context in their daily lives. This requires also understanding how knowledge about disability is passed on from previous generations.
22945499 The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in the UK: comparisons using the 2010 ACR/EULAR clas 2013 Aug OBJECTIVES: The development of new classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) calls for a re-estimation of RA incidence rates. The objectives of this study were to estimate the age and sex-specific incidence rates (IR) of RA in Norfolk, England using the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism criteria, and to compare those with IRs estimated using the 1987 ACR criteria. SETTING: The Norfolk Arthritis Register (NOAR), a large primary care inception cohort of patients with inflammatory oligo- and polyarthritis (IP) aged ≥ 16. METHODS: All patients notified to NOAR from 1990-5 with symptom onset in 1990 were included. The former Norwich Health Authority population was the denominator. Age and sex specific IRs using 1987 and 2010 classification criteria were calculated at baseline visit, annually for the first 3 years and at 5 years. RESULTS: 260 patients were notified to NOAR with symptom onset in 1990 and without an alternative diagnosis. IRs applying the 2010 criteria at baseline were 54/100 000 for women and 25/100 000 for men. Age and sex-specific IRs using the 2010 classification criteria at baseline were similar to cumulative IRs applying the 1987 criteria up to 5 years. However, some patients only ever satisfied one set of criteria and a proportion of IA patients (20%) did not satisfy either criteria set over 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The 2010 criteria classify similar numbers of patients as having RA at baseline, as the 1987 criteria would have taken up to 5 years to identify.
23065133 Classical test theory and Rasch analysis validation of the Recent-Onset Arthritis Disabili 2013 Feb Disability has been identified as a core outcome measure in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive psychometric analysis of the Recent-Onset Arthritis Disability (ROAD) questionnaire in patients with RA. The questionnaire was completed by 583 patients with RA: 196 subjects participating in the NEW INDICES study and 387 subjects who were taking part in a long-term observational study. At confirmatory factor analysis for categorical data, data fit for a three-factor model was adequate to good (non-normed fit index = 0.98, comparative fit index = 0.99, root mean square error of approximation = 0.079, standardized root mean square residual = 0.047), with standardized item-to-factor loadings ranging from 0.60 to 0.90 and a cumulative explained variance of 83 %. The bifactor model of ROAD presented a clean independent cluster structure. The loadings in the unidimensional model were very similar to those on the general factor in the bifactor model. Rasch analysis showed a correct functioning of rating categories, a good fit of the data to the model for all three subscales, and satisfactory separation indexes and respective reliability (for both persons and items). This study, using both classical test theory and Rasch analysis methods, provides psychometric evidence of the reliability and internal and structural validity of ROAD in RA patients. Our results support the use of separate subscores for upper limb function, lower limb function, and activities of daily living/work, and the appropriateness of reporting an overall score (i.e., the mean of the three subscales).
23838026 Reliability and sensitivity to change of the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue scales. 2013 Oct OBJECTIVE: To examine the reliability (stability) and sensitivity of the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue scales (BRAFs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) developed to capture the fatigue experience. The Multi-Dimensional Questionnaire (BRAF-MDQ) has a global score and four subscales (Physical Fatigue, Living with Fatigue, Cognitive Fatigue and Emotional Fatigue), while three numerical rating scales (BRAF-NRS) measure fatigue Severity, Effect and Coping. METHODS: RA patients completed the BRAFs plus comparator PROMs. Reliability (study 1): 50 patients completed questionnaires twice. A same-day test-retest interval (minimum 60 min) ensured both time points related to the same 7 days, minimizing the capture of fatigue fluctuations. Reliability (study 2): 50 patients completed the same procedure with a re-worded BRAF-NRS Coping. Sensitivity to change (study 3): 42 patients being given clinically a single high dose of i.m. glucocorticoids completed questionnaires at weeks 0 and 2. RESULTS: The BRAF-MDQ, its subscales and the BRAF-NRS showed very strong reliability (r = 0.82-0.95). BRAF-NRS Coping had lower moderate reliability in both wording formats (r = 0.62, 0.60). The BRAF-MDQ, its subscales and the BRAF-NRS Severity and Effect were sensitive to change, with effect sizes (ESs) of 0.33-0.56. As hypothesized, the BRF-NRS Coping was not responsive to the pharmaceutical intervention (ES 0.05). Preliminary exploration suggests a minimum clinically important difference of 17.5% for improvement and 6.1% for fatigue worsening. CONCLUSION: The BRAF scales show good reliability and sensitivity to change. The lack of BRAF-NRS Coping responsiveness to medication supports the theory that coping with fatigue is a concept distinct from severity and effect that is worth measuring separately.
24097191 Estimating the health-care usage associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis i 2014 Sep BACKGROUND: An ageing population leads to increasing prevalence of age-related chronic conditions that present challenges to the health-care services. Despite this, in countries including Ireland, little is known about the health-care impact of conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis amongst older adults. METHODS: A series of count models are developed to investigate the incremental health-care usage of individuals with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis on the use of general practitioners (GP) services, outpatients' services, accident and emergency visits and inpatient nights. RESULTS: Both types of arthritic conditions lead to increased usage of GP and outpatients' services but not other hospital services. Differences in entitlements to care, as captured by the presence of a medical card in Ireland, lead to different health-care usage among arthritis sufferers. Translating the additional utilization into cost suggests a combined incremental annual cost of both types of arthritis of €13.6 million. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis present challenges to health-care services in the context of an ageing population. In the case of Ireland the burden falls predominantly on primary health-care and outpatient services. Within the context of changing health-care service provision in Ireland, the results of this study have implications for future planning of service delivery.
23719081 Ultrasound and treatment algorithms of RA and JIA. 2013 Aug Musculoskeletal ultrasound has emerged as a key tool for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of patients with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and other rheumatic diseases. The most important sonographic findings in RA include erosions, effusions, synovitis, and tenosynovitis. Investigators have suggested various "optimal" numbers of joints to scan in RA to assess disease activity, gauge treatment response, provide prognostic information, and guide management decisions. The complexity of pediatric sonoanatomy has delayed its validation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, yet ultrasound reliably measures the extent of synovitis/tenosynovitis and guides precise injections.
23836484 Functionally optimized orthoses for early rheumatoid arthritis foot disease: a study of me 2014 Oct OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mode-of-action and patient experience of functionally optimized foot orthoses in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We conducted an investigation of 2 functionally optimized foot orthoses (selective laser sintering [SLS] and fused deposition modelling [FDM]) in 15 patients with RA of <2 years duration. The novel devices were optimized for 3 biomechanistic targets exploiting computer-aided design and additive manufacturing. A third standard device was used as the comparator (standard foot orthosis [SFO]). Foot and ankle biomechanical effects were compared. Adverse reactions, orthotic fit and comfort, and short-term symptom benefits were also monitored. RESULTS: Both FDM (P = 0.028) and SLS (P < 0.0001) orthoses significantly reduced peak rearfoot motion in comparison to shod. The average ankle internal moment was significantly decreased in the SFO (P = 0.010) and approached significance in the SLS (P = 0.052) orthosis. SFO, FDM, and SLS orthoses significantly increased the peak height of the medial foot arch between 3.6 to 4.4 mm (P < 0.001). Peak pressures in the medial (P = 0.018) and lateral forefoot (P = 0.022) regions of interest were significantly reduced for the SLS orthosis. SFO, FDM, and SLS orthoses significantly increased midfoot contact area (P < 0.001 for all conditions). In comparison to SFO, SLS and FDM orthoses provided equivalent or better patient experience. No adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: Functional optimization is a feasible approach for orthoses prescription in early RA and has the potential to provide superior mode-of-action responses for biomechanical therapeutic targets compared to standard devices.
25589842 Mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease treat 2015 Jan BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the impact on mortality of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 100 RA-ILD patients who visited our tertiary care medical center between 2004 and 2011, identified those treated with an anti-TNF agent, divided patients into non-survivor and survivor groups and evaluated their clinical characteristics and causes of death. RESULTS: A total of 24 RA-ILD patients received anti-TNF therapy, of whom six died (25%). Mean age at initiation of anti-TNF therapy was significantly higher in the nonsurvivor versus survivor group (76 years [range, 66 to 85] vs. 64 years [range, 50 to 81], respectively; p = 0.043). The mean duration of anti-TNF treatment in the non-survivor group was shorter (7 months [range, 2 to 14] vs. 23 months [range, 2 to 58], respectively; p = 0.030). The duration of anti-TNF therapy in all nonsurviving patients was < 12 months. Pulmonary function test results at ILD diagnosis, and cumulative doses of disease-modifying drugs and steroids, did not differ between groups. Five of the six deaths (83%) were related to lung disease, including two diffuse alveolar hemorrhages, two cases of acute exacerbation of ILD, and one of pneumonia. The sixth patient died of septic shock following septic arthritis of the knee. CONCLUSIONS: Lung complications can occur within months of initial anti-TNF treatment in older RA-ILD patients; therefore, anti-TNF therapy should be used with caution in these patients.
24292670 Establishing serological classification tree model in rheumatoid arthritis using combinati 2015 Feb To establish a serological classification tree model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), protein/peptide profiles of serum were detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) combined with weak cationic exchange (WCX) from Cohort 1, including 65 patients with RA and 41 healthy controls (HC). The samples were randomly divided into a training set and a test set. Twenty-four differentially expressed peaks (P < 0.05) were identified in the training set and 4 of them, namely m/z 3,939, 5,906, 8,146, and 8,569 were chosen to set up our model. This model exhibited a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 96.0% for differentiating RA patients from HC. The test set reproduced these high levels of sensitivity and specificity, which were 100.0 and 81.2%, respectively. Cohort 2, which include 228 RA patients, was used to further verify the classification efficiency of this model. It came out that 97.4% of them were classified as RA by this model. In conclusion, MALDI-TOF-MS combined with WCX magnetic beads was a powerful method for constructing a classification tree model for RA, and the model we established was useful in recognizing RA.
24714379 The association between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide population-ba 2014 Nov Numerous studies have reported a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in schizophrenia. The mechanisms are unknown, but recent genome-wide association studies of schizophrenia have shown strong associations with markers spanning the major histocompatibility complex region, indicating a possible role for adaptive immunity also in schizophrenia. In this population-based cohort study, we assess the associations between RA and schizophrenia and the extent to which any observed associations are specific to RA/schizophrenia. We then extend the assessments per RA subtype and to risks in first-degree relatives. The study population included every individual identified in the Swedish Population Register born in Sweden between 1932 and 1989. The risk for RA in schizophrenia was significantly decreased (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.59-0.80), but similar reductions were noted for osteoarthritis (a noninflammatory joint disorder) and ankylosing spondylitis (a non-RA inflammatory disorder). Comparable associations were seen in schizoaffective subjects while no significant associations were observed in bipolar disorder. Overall, first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients were not at reduced risk of RA, but the risk for seronegative RA was significantly decreased in children and siblings of schizophrenia probands (HR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.95 and HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 049-0.92, respectively). In conclusion, our intraindividual analyses suggest that differential misclassification bias is an important factor for the observed inverse association and emphasize the need of optimized care-provision for nonpsychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia patients. Our familial analyses indicted the possibility of an inverse coinheritance of schizophrenia and seronegative RA.
24238402 Bioinformatic analysis to find small molecules related to rheumatoid arthritis. 2014 Jan BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible (synovial) joints. AIMS: Our aim is to explore the change of gene expression profile in patients with RA, and investigate the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis and progression of RA. METHODS: We downloaded the dataset GSE2053 from Gene Expression Omnibus database and screened the differentially expressed genes by analyzing the profiles between RA and normal cells with bioinformatics methods. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to screen GO and the significantly changed signaling pathways in RA cells with the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). RESULTS: By bioinformatics methods, we obtained the metabolic pathway changed in the cells of patients with RA, and explored small molecule drugs that can restore these changes. CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide a new approach for explore the pathogenesis of RA and a new breakthrough in the medical treatment of patients with RA.
24989697 An exploration of the perceived effects of a support group for individuals with rheumatoid 2015 Mar PURPOSE: To explore the effects of attendance at a peer support group on the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. DATA SOURCES: There were 23 participants recruited for the study. A series of six monthly support groups lasting approximately 60 min, with the researcher as a participant observer, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Following the sixth support group session, the researcher interviewed participants who had attended a minimum of four sessions. The evaluation interviews were also audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis of the support group transcripts and the evaluation interview transcripts was performed to identify themes related to the quality of life of the participants with respect to their diagnosis of RA. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the support group and evaluation interview transcripts indicated an improvement in the quality of life of the participants through improved social support and empowerment of the participants with increased knowledge and self-efficacy.
23619156 From inhibition of radiographic progression to maintaining structural integrity: a methodo 2013 Jul Usually, a clinical trial in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis aiming to demonstrate that a new antirheumatic drug treatment can inhibit progression of structural damage has a 'superiority design': The new treatment is compared to placebo or to another active treatment. Currently, many new drug treatments have shown to be able to completely suppress progression (progression rates close to zero). For largely unknown reasons, during the last 10 years, radiographic progression rates in clinical trials have gradually decreased, so that progression rates in the comparator groups are often too low to demonstrate meaningful inhibition, and thus superiority of the new treatment. We here propose an alternative framework to demonstrate that new treatments have the ability to 'preserve structural integrity' rather than to 'inhibit radiographic progression'. Anno 2013, preserving structural integrity is conceptually more realistic than inhibiting radiographic progression.
23239035 MicroRNA-155 as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. 2013 Mar MicroRNAs are short non-coding molecules expressed in different tissues and regulate the transcription of different genes. They are highly specific in their action. Upregulation or downregulation of specific microRNAs has been observed during different diseases like cancers, embryogenesis, organogenesis, apoptosis and arthritis. They are also known to be involved in autoimmune diseases. MicroRNAs are also found to be stable and easy to validate. Differential expression of microRNA-155 has been studied by different groups in inflammatory diseases including arthritis along with other miRNAs. This suggests that it can be used as a potential biomarker or therapeutic in the autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Experimental studies are needed to explore their role as biomarker or therapeutic.
24262723 Racial and ethnic disparities in disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 2013 Dec BACKGROUND: Observational studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have suggested that racial and ethnic disparities exist for minority populations. We compared disease activity and clinical outcomes across racial and ethnic groups using data from a large, contemporary US registry. METHODS: We analyzed data from 2 time periods (2005-2007 and 2010-2012). The Clinical Disease Activity Index was examined as both a continuous measure and a dichotomous measure of disease activity states. Outcomes were compared in a series of cross-sectional and longitudinal multivariable regression models. RESULTS: For 2005-2007, significant differences of mean disease activity level (P < .001) were observed across racial and ethnic groups. Over the 5-year period, modest improvements in disease activity were observed across all groups, including whites (3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2-4.1) compared with African Americans (4.3; 95% CI, 2.7-5.8) and Hispanics (2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-4.3). For 2010-2012, significant differences of mean disease activity level persisted (P < .046) across racial and ethnic groups, ranging from 11.6 (95% CI, 10.4-12.8) in Hispanics to 10.7 (95% CI, 9.6-11.7) in whites. Remission rates remained significantly different across racial/ethnic groups across all models for 2010-2012, ranging from 22.7 (95% CI, 19.5-25.8) in African Americans to 27.4 (95% CI, 24.9-29.8) in whites. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in disease activity across racial and ethnic groups over a 5-year period, disparities persist in disease activity and clinical outcomes for minority groups versus white patients.
23763802 Disease activity score in rheumatoid arthritis with or without secondary fibromyalgia. 2013 Jun OBJECTIVE: To correlate disease activity score (DAS-28) in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with and without secondary fibromyalgia. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Rheumatology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from November 2011 to April 2012. METHODOLOGY: Patients aged above 16 years diagnosed to have rheumatoid arthritis according to ACR/EULAR criteria 2010 were included in the study. Fibromyalgia (FM) was diagnosed by ACR 1990 criteria. Patients of other autoimmune diseases or psychiatric illnesses were excluded. DAS was determined and compared using t-test with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of study subjects was 42.9 years. Thirty one out of total 138 patients had fibromyalgia (22.4%). Female gender was predominant (92.0%); being 96.8% in patients with and in 88.2% without fibromyalgia. The average DAS score was high (5.3 + 1.5) in fibromyalgia patients compared to those without fibromyalgia (3.9 + 1.2); this difference in mean value was statistically significant (p = < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DAS-28 is a useful tool for assessing rheumatoid arthritis disease status in outpatient setting, however, increased disease activity must be assessed for possible co-existence of fibromyalgia which can spuriously give high DAS value and adversely affect treatment decision.
25675622 [Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis]. 2014 Sep Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder, and is characterized by inflammation of the joint, which can lead to irreversible bone damage, joint deformity and disability, if not diagnosed timely or treated adequately. New classification criteria were developed in 2010 in order to identify patients at risk of developing persistent or erosive arthritis, and requiring early therapy. In order to detect early arthritis or bone erosions before their appearance on X-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are now routinely used by clinicians, and also seem to deliver prognostic information about the disease. Synovial biopsies are potentially interesting in case of early arthritis to identify markers of diagnosis, prognosis or therapeutic response. Genetic or environmental risk factors were described to play a role in the development or maintenance of the disease; they could also help to screen early RA. A rapid diagnosis is eventually based on the right information and a tight collaboration between the primary care physician and the rheumatology care specialist.
24472268 How do anti-TNF therapies affect gait function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? 2014 Jan AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents on gait function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Nine subjects with RA who were being treated with anti-TNF agents, participated in this study. A motion capture system was utilized, and data from the force plate and captured three dimensional motions were analyzed.Gait evaluation was performed before and 5.8 ± 2.6 months after introducing the anti-TNF agent. Stride, gait velocity and joint moments were calculated. In addition, an index of balancing weight of the lower extremities was determined. RESULTS: Stride length averaged 45.8 cm at baseline and 53.1 cm at the time of follow-up, and gait velocity averaged 0.9 m/s at baseline and 1.1 m/s at the time of follow-up. At heal contact, the joint moment of hip extension increased from 0.37 to 0.49, while ankle joint dorsiflexion moment increased from 0.08 to 0.13. During mid-stance, knee joint extension moment decreased from 0.16 to 0.06. At toe-off, hip joint flexion moment increased from 0.60 to 0.80, and ankle joint dorsiflexion moment increased from 0.80 to 1.05. The index of balancing weight of the lower extremities increased from 19.6 to 20.9 N. CONCLUSION: The induction of anti-TNF therapies improved alterations in shock absorption in the early stance phase, balancing weight of the lower extremities in mid-stance, and increased push-off power in the later stance phase.
23520034 Bone loss before the clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis in subjects with anticitrullin 2014 May OBJECTIVE: Anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) are a major risk factor for bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have recently shown that ACPA directly induce bone loss by stimulating osteoclast differentiation. As ACPA precede the clinical onset of RA by years, we hypothesised that ACPA positive healthy individuals may already show skeletal changes. METHODS: We performed a comparative micro-CT analysis of the bone microstructure in the metacarpophalangeal joints of ACPA positive and ACPA negative healthy individuals without clinical signs of arthritis. RESULTS: ACPA positive (n=15) and negative (n=15) healthy individuals were not different in age (48.2±4.1 vs 51.4±3.8 years, p=0.57) or gender (eight women and two men in both groups). Bone mineral density was significantly reduced in ACPA positive individuals (mean±SEM 280±11 mg/cm(3)) compared with controls (327±6). Bone loss was based on cortical bone changes, with significant (p=0.044) reduction in cortical thickness in the ACPA positive group (mean±SEM 0.22±0.03 mm) compared with controls (0.32±0.03 mm). Areas of cortical porosity were significantly (p=0.0005) more widespread in ACPA positive (mean±SEM 7.4±1.4%) than in ACPA negative individuals (1.0±0.3%). DISCUSSION: Structural bone damage starts before the clinical onset of arthritis in subjects with ACPA. These findings revise the concept that bone damage is an exclusive consequence of synovitis in patients with RA.
23678157 Integrative analyses for functional mechanisms underlying associations for rheumatoid arth 2013 Jul OBJECTIVE: Extensive association analyses including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and powerful metaanalysis studies have identified a long list of loci associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in very large populations, but most of them established statistical associations of genetic markers and RA only at the DNA level, without supporting evidence of functional relevance. Our study serves as a trial to detect the functional mechanisms underlying associations for RA by searching publicly available datasets and results. METHODS: Based on publicly available datasets and results, we performed integrative analyses (gene relationships across implicated loci analysis, differential gene expression analysis, and functional annotation clustering analysis) and combined them with the expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) results to dissect functional mechanisms underlying the associations for RA. RESULTS: By searching 2 GWAS, Integrator and PheGenI, we selected 98 RA association results (p < 10(-5)). Among these associations, we found that 8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; rs1600249, rs2736340, rs3093023, rs3093024, rs4810485, rs615672, rs660895, and rs9272219) serve as cis-effect regulators of the corresponding eQTL genes (BLK and CD4 in non-HLA region; CCR6, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1 in HLA region) that also were differentially expressed in RA-related cell groups. These 5 genes are closely related with immune response in function. CONCLUSION: Our results showed the functional mechanisms underlying the associations of 8 SNP and the corresponding genes. This study is an example of mining publicly available datasets and results in validation of significant disease-association results. Using public data resources for integrative analyses may provide insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying human diseases.