Sputum Studies of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Origins

The study is designed to learn more about the causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People who get RA have elevated protein markers called autoantibodies in their blood years before initial symptoms of arthritis. The goal of this study is to learn more about how autoantibodies in RA might be related to inflammation in the lungs.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults between 18 and 100 years; * At-Risk for RA, RA diagnosed, and Healthy Control subjects will be included in the study until recruitment goals are met for each group. At-Risk: 1. No evidence of inflammatory arthritis on clinical examination AND 2. At elevated risk for RA based on familial or serologic risk * Familial risk includes having a first degree relatives (FDRs) with RA * Serologic risk includes asymptomatic serum ACPA positivity Healthy Controls : 1. No history of RA 2. No FDRs with RA 3. No systemic use of immunosuppressants for autoimmune disease RA Diagnosis: 1. Classified RA by 1987 ACR and/or 2010 ACR/EULAR RA classification criteria (confirmed by medical chart review) OR 2. Diagnosed with RA by a board-certified rheumatologist (confirmed by medical chart review) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the sample collection period of the study 2. Exacerbation of underlying obstructive lung disease within the past 1 month 3. Known FEV1 \2 liters at rest 5. Participants with health acuity or behavioral health concerns leaving them unable to participate in the current research Note: If a subject temporarily does not meet inclusion criteria but is interested in participating, he/she may participate once inclusion criteria have been met. If interested, please take a few minutes to complete the screening questionnaire for this study opportunity. You may open the survey in your web browser by clicking the link below: https://is.gd/SPAROscreen If the link above does not work, try copying the link below into your web browser: https://redcap.ucdenver.edu/surveys/?s=3WM8WH3WKK