The REF is the premier private funding source of rheumatology research and training programs in the U.S. Learn more about the success of REF funded investigators below!
- Recent Study Improves Understanding of Preclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis
- The REF Preceptorship Experience
- REF Support for Health Professional Careers in Rheumatology Research
- Ensuring the Future of Rheumatology
- REF- funded Research Shows RA Patients Maintain Computer Skills
- Within Our Reach-funded study finds increased risk for depression among at-risk populations of RA patients
- Within Our Reach-funded Research Finds Highly Specific Markers of RA
- REF-funded Research Provides Important Prognostic Information about Long-term Childhood-onset SLE
- REF-Funded Research Links Body Composition to Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability
- REF Preceptorship Experience Affirms Student's Path to Rheumatology
- Better Physicians - One Student at a Time
- Students Journey to Medicine Starts with Rheumatology
Recent Study Improves Understanding of Preclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis
A study recently published in Arthritis Care & Research (AC&R) reveals a novel approach for the study of preclinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The REF Preceptorship Experience
REF Preceptorships introduce the best and brightest medical and graduate students to the field of rheumatology as a possible career path by supporting a mentored one-on-one interaction and real-world learning experience focused on rheumatology. Chirag Vora’s preceptorship experience is a shining example of the value of REF preceportships.
REF Support for Health Professional Careers in Rheumatology Research
Robert McLean, DSc, MPH has been working in epidemiology for over 10 years, but has recently been able to establish himself as an independent investigator without significant prior research experience, thanks to the help of an REF research award designed specifically for early career investigators.
Ensuring the Future of Rheumatology
William F. Harvey, MD, MSc, FACR is a previous recipient of the ACR REF Clinical Investigator Fellowship Award, and is currently Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also a past recipient of the ACR Distinguished Fellow Award and remains involved in ACR advocacy activities.
REF-funded Research Shows RA Patients Maintain Computer Skills
A study lead by Nancy Baker, ScD, MPH, ORT/L, and her team and recently published in Arthritis Care & Research found that hand impairment experienced by many patients with rheumatoid arthritis did not significantly interfere with their computer use.
Within Our Reach-funded Study Finds Increased Risk for Depression Among At-risk Populations of RA Patients
A study recently published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis from multiethnic backgrounds have nearly double the rate of depressive symptoms compared to middle class white patients with RA. The project also examined predictors of depression, and concluded that physical disability — not acute disease activity — is the principle predictor of depression in patients with RA.
Within Our Reach-funded Research Finds Highly Specific Markers of RA
A study recently published in Arthritis & Rheumatism concluded that anti–PAD-4 antibodies are highly specific markers of RA and appear to be useful markers of disease severity. The project studied an important and previously unrecognized immune response in RA, anti-PAD4 which is one of the major proteins that creates other common autoantigens in RA.
REF-funded Research Provides Important Prognostic Information about Long-term Childhood-onset SLE
A study recently published in Arthritis Care & Research found that there are differences in the outcomes of patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and adult-onset SLE, which provides important prognostic information about long-term SLE disease activity and treatment.
REF-Funded Research Links Body Composition to Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability
A study recently published in Arthritis Care & Research concluded
that body composition, particularly the amount of fat and lean mass located in the arms and
legs, is strongly associated with disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
REF Preceptorship Experience Affirms Student's Path to Rheumatology
David Caretto found his calling in rheumatology early in life. While in high school, rheumatic disease hit home for him, literally. His sister was diagnosed with a rare form of scleroderma. While attending college at the University of Arizona, a friend of his died from complications related to her lupus. These experiences changed him, igniting an interest in medicine and a desire to one day help patients as a medical professional.
Better Physicians - One Student at a Time
Maribeth Morral, a third year medical student at Penn State College of Medicine, shares that her first exposure to rheumatology was simply the product of a chance encounter. In the first year of medical school at Penn State, medical students are assigned to track a chronically ill patient throughout the year as a learning experience. Morral’s patient happened to be an 11-year old girl diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Students Journey to Medicine Starts with Rheumatology
John Cluley’s first exposure to rheumatology came long before medical school. At sixteen, Cluley – who had always been a very healthy and active young man – had a sudden rheumatologic flare. Doctors were able to make a quick diagnosis and Cluley was referred to well-known pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Marilyn Punaro, at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
