APART (Advanced Profiling of Anti-Rheumatic Therapies) is a multicenter study that uses a touch screen computer system to capture and analyze health information from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact on patient-physician interactions by an electronic data capture system (EDCS). Study participants are asked to answer questions about their health five times over the course of 12 months using the APART EDCS. Halfway through the study period, at the six-month visit, approximately two-thirds of the study participants are randomly selected to receive a Health Tracker report available to them and their rheumatologist for the remainder of the study period. The Health Tracker report provides a summary of the participant's RA symptoms, treatment and overall health.

In addition to the University Physicians Rheumatology clinic in Tucson, two other rheumatology clinics are participating in APART: Arthritis Associates in Chattanooga, TN and Carolina Arthritis Associates in Wilmington, NC. APART began recruiting participants in January 2004 and continued recruitment through the first week of June 2004. A total of 1079 RA patients enrolled in the APART study. In Arizona, 341 patients were enrolled.

The 12-month study period was successfully completed in July 2005. Initial analysis of the data gathered indicates the APART EDCS is a useful tool in both data collection and improving patient-physician interactions. Besides continuing to analyze data resulting from the study, the APART team is also working to implement an APART RA Registry at the three clinic sites so that we may continue to use the health information gathered to study outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, plans are underway to continue the groundbreaking research by extending the the study to other rheumatologic conditions using EDCS.