Dear LiiRA Study Participants, In this unprecedented time, the LiiRA study is now conducting virtual visits for week 6 and 12. We will reach out to discuss final in-person visits when the COVID19 pandemic is considered under control. If you have any questions regarding study visits or insurance information, please contact one of the research assistants: Charlotte Golnik (cwestgolnik@bwh.harvard.edu) or Thany Seyok (tseyok@bwh.harvard.edu)
What is LiiRA?
LiiRA stands for lipids, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For someone with RA, the risk of heart disease is 2x higher compared to someone from the general population. Chronic inflammation is considered a major driver for the elevated heart disease risk. The objective of LiiRA is to study the link between inflammation, cholesterol and heart disease. Data from this study will help us identify ways to reduce the risk of heart disease for patients with RA. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Why participate?
You can help us to understand how inflammation leads to a higher risk of heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ultimately, information from this study will lead to better strategies to prevent and treat heart disease. You will be reimbursed for your time and participation. If you are starting on Cimzia, an approved RA medication, you will receive the medication for six months at no cost to you.
Are you eligible?
Two types of patients are eligible:
1- If you are starting a TNFi, we are looking for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, who are over the age of 35, and have not taken a biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), such as Enbrel or Humira, in the past six months. You may not participate if you are currently taking a statin, PCSK9, or greater than 10 mg of an oral steroid, are pregnant, have been treated for cancer in the last five years (or have had melanoma/lymphoma ever), have an active infectious disease including HIV, tuberculosis, or hepatitis B/C, have chest pain, shortness of breath, severe valvular heart disease, myocarditis, or pericarditis.
2- If you are decreasing the dosing schedule of your TNFi, we are looking for patients with rheumatoid arthritis on injectable TNFi and are clinically indicated to reduce the dosage by a rheumatologist. You may participate if you have low disease activity with less than two swollen joints or if you are in remission. You may not participate if you are currently taking greater than 5 mg of an oral steroid, are pregnant, have chest pain, shortness of breath, severe valvular heart disease, myocarditis, or pericarditis.
1- If you are starting a TNFi, we are looking for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, who are over the age of 35, and have not taken a biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), such as Enbrel or Humira, in the past six months. You may not participate if you are currently taking a statin, PCSK9, or greater than 10 mg of an oral steroid, are pregnant, have been treated for cancer in the last five years (or have had melanoma/lymphoma ever), have an active infectious disease including HIV, tuberculosis, or hepatitis B/C, have chest pain, shortness of breath, severe valvular heart disease, myocarditis, or pericarditis.
2- If you are decreasing the dosing schedule of your TNFi, we are looking for patients with rheumatoid arthritis on injectable TNFi and are clinically indicated to reduce the dosage by a rheumatologist. You may participate if you have low disease activity with less than two swollen joints or if you are in remission. You may not participate if you are currently taking greater than 5 mg of an oral steroid, are pregnant, have chest pain, shortness of breath, severe valvular heart disease, myocarditis, or pericarditis.