The SERA Study

Over the past few years, you may have heard about SERA, the S tudies of the E tiology of R heumatoid A rthritis. This study started in 2001 and is based on the same concept as DAISY. Just like DAISY is looking for diabetes antibodies in people that are at increased risk of developing diabetes, SERA is looking for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) antibodies in people that are at increased risk of developing RA. SERA is interested in the parents of the children involved in DAISY because families with individuals at risk for type 1 diabetes may also be at risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as both diseases are determined by similar gene markers. The antibodies that SERA looks at are present in most patients that already have RA. We suspect that, just like with diabetes, these antibodies show up before clinical signs of disease and that they actually play a role in the onset and development of RA. We also suspect, just like DAISY, that it takes environmental factors plus genetics for autoimmunity to begin. In preliminary analysis of 298 of the DAISY mothers, we are looking at oral contraceptive use as a possible protective environmental exposure and heavy smoking as a probable risk factor for the development of RA-related antibodies. Many of you have already participated in the SERA study and we greatly appreciate your involvement! If you have not participated in SERA and would like to know more, please contact Lezlie at (303) 724-7510. Thank you for supporting the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in our research efforts!