title: Korean Observational Study Network for Arthritis (KORONA): establishment of a prospective multicenter cohort for rheumatoid arthritis in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The object of this study was to introduce the KORean Observational study Network for Arthritis (KORONA) registry with an emphasis on the design of the Korean rheumatoid arthritis (RA) national database, as well as to provide an overview of the RA patients who are currently registered in KORONA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The KORONA was established in July 2009 by the Clinical Research Center for Rheumatoid Arthritis (CRCRA) in South Korea. KORONA is based on a prospective protocol and standard, defined data collection instruments. Demographic and clinical features, laboratory and radiologic data, health-related outcomes, treatment side effects, resource utilization, and health behaviors of the RA cohort patients are recorded in a database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 23 institutions, which are about 38% of the rheumatologic departments at tertiary academic hospitals across South Korea, are part of KORONA. The quality control of data collection and management has been performed through annual monitoring and auditing, staff training, and providing standard operation protocol by the executive committee of CRCRA. As of 31 December 2010, 4721 patients with established RA were included in KORONA, because an annual survey had started to be performed in July 2010.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KORONA is the first nationwide Korean RA-specific cohort and it will provide valuable "real-world" information for Korean RA patients.
authors.affiliation: Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Kyoung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Soo-Kyung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Chan-Bum
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: So-Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jeeseon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Joong Kyong
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: So-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Hoon-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Jung-Yoon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Won Tae
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Minyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Her
authors.forename: Seung-Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yun Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Chung-Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Joung
authors.forename: Jae-Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Young Ok
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Young Mo
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Dong-Yook
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hae-Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyoun Ah
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jinseok
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong-Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Hwan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Jong
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eunmi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Choong Ki
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hye-Soon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jisoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Heon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shin-Seok
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yeon-Ah
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong-Su
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Nah
authors.forename: Sung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong Hyuk
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: Seung-Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Gwan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gyu Song
authors.forename: Chang-Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Wan-Sik
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Uhm
authors.forename: Dae-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Wan-Hee
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Bo Young
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sang-Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents