Over 50 rheumatoid arthritis investigators from across the country recently met in San Diego to share information and present data and results from their innovative RA projects and to brainstorm ways to work more closely together to find a cure for RA.

Viewed as one of the most common and disabling types of arthritis, RA affects nearly 1.3 million Americans. RA causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limitation in the motion of multiple joints and can cause inflammation in other organs as well. Because of rapidly advancing research into the fundamentals of inflammation and immunity, the outlook for those suffering from RA has improved dramatically over the past 25 years. Recent advances in treatment have made it possible to stop, or at least slow the progression of joint damage though serious complications and premature death remain important complications of the disease. Much research remains to be done to uncover the cause and to find the cure for RA.

Establishing collaborations between scientists in different locations—in some cases on opposite ends of the country—and across disciplines can often be challenging, but have been invaluable in answering many important scientific questions. Therefore, the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation brought together the investigators funded through its Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis campaign with REF leadership, promising young investigators, as well as representatives from the National Institutes of Health to allow for a fluid exchange of knowledge and information.