The REF is the second largest funding source of rheumatology research and training programs in the U.S.

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. Read his story.

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. Read her story.

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. Read his story.