Understanding Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Official title: Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Autoantibodies, Articular Inflammation, and RA-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11123190 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how specific markers in the blood and joint inflammation might connect to lung problems in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 27, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $694,961 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR077607-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123190 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for adults aged 21 and older who have rheumatoid arthritis, especially those with specific autoantibodies or concerns about lung health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without rheumatoid arthritis or those not at risk for interstitial lung disease may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause painful joint inflammation and sometimes a serious lung condition called interstitial lung disease (ILD). Our team is exploring if certain blood markers, called autoantibodies, and the level of joint inflammation can help predict who might develop RA-ILD. We believe that issues starting in the lungs, possibly due to factors like smoking, might lead to these autoantibodies forming even before joint symptoms appear. This work aims to understand how these different aspects of RA are linked throughout the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are at higher risk for developing serious lung complications, allowing for earlier detection and potentially better management.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have suggested a link between these autoantibodies and RA-ILD, and this work builds upon that understanding to explore predictive factors.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sparks, Jeffrey Andrew — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sparks, Jeffrey Andrew
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.