The purpose of this research study is to learn more about the possible causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Autoimmune diseases often run in families. Close relatives of people with these diseases are at greater risk of developing the same or another autoimmune disease. The study is designed to determine several things:

• if relatives of people with RA make the same antibodies that are present in people with RA
• whether or not environmental factors affect the chances of developing these antibodies
• if the presence of these antibodies in healthy people leads to increased risk for the development of RA.