Targeting Synovitis in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of developing permanent joint damage and disability. This study hopes to identify the most effective way of using existing arthritis medication to minimise the chances of developing permanent disability. Patients will have their arthritis activity assessed using an ultrasound machine. If there is still evidence of active arthritis the participant's arthritis medication will be increased until the arthritis is in remission. The effectiveness of this approach will be compared to the traditional method of assessing arthritis using clinical examination. Furthermore, it is extremely important to identify those patients most at risk of aggressive disease. The investigators hope to produce a more accurate measurement of disease prognosis by examining the relationship between a series of blood tests and how well controlled rheumatoid arthritis appears after 18 months of therapy. Some patients will also be asked to donate samples of joint fluid and joint lining for additional analysis.