Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (CLDL) as a Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The investigators hypothesize that cLDL levels are elevated in RA patients and represents an
important mechanism for accelerated atherosclerosis leading to excess cardiovascular disease
(CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The purpose of this study is to improve
understanding of the reasons for increased cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attack and
stroke) seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, an arthritis that causes
inflammation and destruction of joints). Specifically, the study plans to determine whether
a particular type of change in proteins in LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") known as
carbamylation is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in RA patients. The
study will utilize a case−control study design. A total of 100 subjects (males and females
between the ages of 18 and 80) may be enrolled in order to ensure that 80 subjects (40 RA
case subjects and 40 age and sex matched controls) complete the study. Procedures will
consist of a single visit for each subject during which a screening evaluation, an
enrollment evaluation, and a single blood draw will be performed.