University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, NC

— -- Hi, I'm Dr. Beth Jonas, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at UNC Chapel Hill. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among Americans and has a wide reaching impact on our population. As we age, the prevalence of arthritis is certain to increase.

At the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at UNC we are home to scientists and clinicians who are dedicated to improving the lives of patients with arthritis.

Our research spans from the laboratory to the clinic and to the community. Here at UNC we are leading important research studies in the areas of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, vasculitis, and the anti-phospholipids antibody syndrome. By understanding basic mechanisms of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, we're hoping to develop more effective treatment strategies.

Some of our more recent studies have confirmed the importance of exercise in the treatment of arthritis, and we're investigating an important link between minerals and the development of osteoarthritis.

We're also engaged in clinical trials of novel therapeutics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and systemic lupus. From our work we're gaining new insights and paving the way for more effective treatment strategies to lessen the impact of arthritis on our patients, their families, and society.