If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) you may be eligible to be in a research study that will look at how salt in your diet may affect your RA.
The study will have 5 visits:
Screening visit which includes a physical exam and review of your medical history, and lab work if you have not had labs done within 3 months.
Study visits before and after 2 diets—one high in salt and one low in salt.
Participants will be on each diet for 8 weeks. Participants will randomly be assigned (like a coin toss) to which diet they get first.
During study visits, you will have 24 hour blood pressure monitoring and pulse measurements. After each diet, you will have an MRI of the leg.
To participate, you need to:
1. Be 18 years old or older
2. Meet criteria for the diagnosis of RA.
3. Have no change in the medications you take for RA in the past 1 month.
4. Have at least 3 swollen and tender joints.
You cannot participate if you:
1. Are pregnant
2. Are on dialysis for kidney failure
3. Have had an organ or bone marrow transplant
4. Have blood pressure that is very high
5. Had major surgery within the previous 3 months
6. Are seriously ill
7. Unable to have an MRI
If you think you qualify, please call 615-322-3778 or to complete pre-screening questions click http://j.mp/2BoDsBU.