Update on national recruitment for the Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative Biobank & Registry for Rheumatic Diseases

Aims: The A3BC is a national rheumatology research network, built on the foundation of ARAD, the Australian Rheumatology Association Data-base, with newly added biobanking infrastructure across state nodes. It aims to create and integrate a broad range of data from Australians with rheumatic diseases to increase research output into safer and more effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Methods: Participants are recruited through rheumatology clinics via treating rheumatologists or self-referral. They complete online patient-reported outcome questionnaires via REDCap, with dedicated researchs taff coordinating consent, biospecimen and clinical data collections.The initial focus is RA (at-risk, early and established), PsA, SpA, JIA,GCA/PMR and gout; expansion to other diseases is planned. Longitudinal clinical, biological, patient-reported and linked administrative health data are integrated in a central database for open-access research requests.

Results: As of early 2023, 335 participants have enrolled across 6 sites:Sydney (sites = 1; n = 70), Perth (sites = 1; n = 89), Adelaide (sites = 3;n = 91) and Brisbane (sites = 1; n = 85). Primary diagnoses include RA(n = 190; 57%), PsA (n = 46; 14%), GCA (n = 18; 5%), r-AxSpA/AS(n = 16; 5%), undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis (n = 14; 4%), gout(n = 7; 2%), other SpA (n = 7; 2%), myositis (n = 6, 2%), and first-degree relatives/other healthy individuals (n = 19; 6%), with small numbers of OA, fibromyalgia, MCTD, SLE and PMR. Over 11 800 samples have been collected across 0-, 6-, 12- and 24-month time points, including serum, plasma, PBMCs, buffy coat, whole blood, RNA, synovial tissue/fluid, and oral swab and stool for microbiome. Current studies are exploring DMARD tapering in adults and children, microbiome profiles, cardio-vascular risk, T-cell responses to DMARDs and the role of activated protein C.

Conclusion: The A3BC enables innovative research with faster translation towards precision and preventive medicine. Collaborators are encouraged to develop research questions under the A3BC protocol. Access applications are open for small-scale through to large international collaborative projects. Recruitment and participation is open to all.