TY - JOUR T1 - Can Shared Decision Making Help Eliminate Disparities in Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes? JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 1257 LP - 1259 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.140479 VL - 41 IS - 7 AU - JOEL M. HIRSH Y1 - 2014/07/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/41/7/1257.abstract N2 - In this issue of The Journal, Barton, et al, publish a study on the quality of shared decision making between providers and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) followed in 2 northern California cohorts1. Why is such a study important in what seems like a golden age of RA treatment? After all, there has been an explosion in RA treatment options and strategies, which has made remission a realistic target2. Earlier, more aggressive, and better treatment of RA has resulted in greatly improved outcomes compared to past decades3. Barton, et al’s study is not only important but timely, because not all have shared equally from the therapeutic benefits of the biologic era.There is abundant evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in RA outcomes in the United States. Bruce, et al demonstrated that white patients with RA had less disability and better global health compared to nonwhite patients with RA4. Barton, et al reported lower disease activity and better functional status in whites, anglophones, and non-foreign-born patients in a university rheumatology clinic5. Greenberg, et al recently published their findings from the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America RA … Address correspondence to Dr. J. Hirsh. E-mail: joel.hirshMD{at}dhha.org ER -