WE need help from rheumatoid arthritis sufferers who are also pregnant.
Researchers at the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council's Epidemiology Research Unit need help for urgent research into this illness.
Doctors want to monitor symptoms in the latter stages of pregnancy and then for a short time after the birth.
Rheumatoid arthritis is substantially more common in women and it is widely believed that this is because there is a hormonal influence on the disease.
It is known, for instance, that for the majority of women with rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy can bring temporary relief from symptoms, only for them to reappear after the birth.
Researchers want to find out why.
People who help with the research will receive two visits, one in the last three months of pregnancy and a second six months after the birth.
The information given will help provide clues to the cause. If anyone would like to volunteer for the study, please contact me.
MAGGIE FIDDLER, Research Nurse, ARC Epidemiology Research Unit, Stopford Building, University of Manchester M13 9PT. Tel 0161 275 7314.
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