Data and Sample Availability (Indicative)
The A3BC maintains a growing national collection of biological samples linked to rich longitudinal clinical and patient‑reported data from people with inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease.
A live inventory search is under development. In the meantime, the figures below provide indicative sample availability to support feasibility assessment for researchers. Numbers are approximate and subject to change.
Current registry composition
(as at April 2026; indicative counts by primary diagnosis)
| Primary diagnosis | Participants (n) |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | 395 |
| Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) | 165 |
| Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) | 89 |
| Vasculitis – Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) | 52 |
| Control / comparator participants | 42 |
| Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (Ankylosing Spondylitis) | 35 |
| Undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis | 21 |
| Clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) | 13 |
| Spondyloarthropathy (non‑AS / non‑PsA) | 10 |
| Other arthritis (unspecified) | 8 |
| Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | 8 |
| Gout | 7 |
| Osteoarthritis | 6 |
| Myositis (adult) | 5 |
| Other autoimmune / inflammatory disease | <5 |
| Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | <5 |
| Other vasculitis | <5 |
| Paediatric myositis (incl. JDM) | <5 |
| Back/spinal pain (non‑inflammatory) | <5 |
| Fibromyalgia | <5 |
| Mixed Connective Tissue Disease | <5 |
Participant numbers grow continuously, and diagnosis counts will vary over time as:
- New participants enrol
- Diagnoses are refined
- Participants transition between disease stages or cohorts
Indicative biospecimen holdings
(as at April 2026; rounded estimates)
- Blood‑derived samples (serum, plasma, whole blood):
- 25,000+ samples
- Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs):
- 10,000+ samples
- DNA samples (buffy coat):
- 2,900+ samples
- RNA samples (whole blood from Tempus tubes):
- 2,500+ samples
- Microbiome samples
- Stool: 2,100+ samples
- Oral swabs: 800+ samples
- Biological fluids
- Synovial fluid supernatant and cryopreserved cell pellet samples: 130+ samples
- Synovial tissue
- Fresh frozen, FFPE, cryopreserved, RNALater: 140+ samples (procedure‑dependent)
All samples are linked, where available, to longitudinal clinical assessments, patient‑reported outcomes and approved health data linkage.
Important notes
- Availability varies by disease group, cohort, consent, timepoint and treatment stage
- Not all participants contribute all sample types
- Final confirmation of availability occurs through the A3BC Access Application Process
Enquiries and feasibility discussions
Researchers planning:
- Complex or non‑standard sample requests
- Rare disease analyses
- Specific timepoints or longitudinal designs
- Participant re‑contact
are strongly encouraged to contact the A3BC team early for feasibility discussion.
Early engagement often helps refine study design and streamline access approval.