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 120 subjects (males and females between the ages of 18 and 80) may be enrolled in order to ensure that 100 subjects (50 RA case subjects and 50 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.