Aims & Scope
The Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published by Directive Publications and devoted to the science and clinical practice of rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine. As an arthritis and rheumatology journal, it disseminates rigorous original research on rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gout and crystal arthropathies, vasculitis, and other autoimmune and connective tissue diseases.
The journal welcomes original research, systematic reviews, clinical trials, case reports, and editorials spanning pathophysiology, epidemiology, imaging and biomarkers, and therapeutics. Topics of particular interest include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic therapy, early detection of inflammatory arthritis, advanced imaging such as PET-CT and musculoskeletal ultrasound, and joint-preserving and arthroplasty outcomes.
Intended for rheumatologists, immunologists, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal researchers, and allied health professionals, the journal connects investigators and clinicians through a trusted, internationally accessible platform.
Every submission undergoes double-blind peer review; accepted articles are published open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) licence with authors retaining copyright, assigned a permanent Crossref DOI, and made discoverable through OpenAlex, Google Scholar, and an OAI-PMH endpoint. The journal follows COPE ethical principles.
Subject Coverage
Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatology welcomes original research, reviews, and case reports across the following core areas:
Research Topics
Core subject areas published in Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatology — explore related research across our journals.
Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics does the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology cover?
The Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology publishes peer-reviewed research across the full breadth of rheumatology: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gout and crystal arthropathies, vasculitis, and other autoimmune and connective tissue diseases. It also covers imaging and biomarkers, disease-modifying and biologic therapies, and joint surgery outcomes.
Who should read and publish in the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology?
The journal serves rheumatologists, clinical immunologists, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal researchers, internists, and allied health professionals worldwide. It welcomes manuscripts from clinicians and scientists studying any aspect of arthritis and rheumatic disease, from basic pathophysiology to clinical trials and real-world practice.
What article types does the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology accept?
We accept original research articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, narrative and clinical reviews, clinical trials, case reports (including rare presentations such as lupus with atypical lymphadenopathy), short communications, and editorials relevant to arthritis and rheumatology.
How does peer review work at the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology?
Every submission undergoes double-blind peer review, in which author and reviewer identities are mutually concealed. Manuscripts are assessed for scientific rigour, clinical relevance, and adherence to COPE ethical principles before an editorial decision is made.
Is the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology open access, and who holds copyright?
Yes. All accepted articles are published fully open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read and reuse them with attribution. Authors retain copyright to their work, and each article receives a permanent Crossref DOI.
Is there an article-processing charge, and are waivers available?
As an open access journal, the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology applies an article-processing charge on acceptance to sustain peer review, production, and permanent archiving. Waivers and discounts are available; please contact the editorial office for current terms before or during submission.
How will my article in the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology be indexed and discovered?
Each published article is assigned a permanent Crossref DOI and is discoverable through OpenAlex and Google Scholar, with an OAI-PMH endpoint enabling broader harvesting. The journal is actively expanding its discoverability and is preparing applications to additional scholarly indexes.
How do I submit a manuscript to the Journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology?
Authors can submit through the journal's submission page after reviewing the author guidelines for formatting, ethics, and reporting requirements. Studies on rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, and related rheumatic conditions are especially welcome.