S.H.A.R.E. GOAL
To allow for the dissemination of ARIA data such that it contributes to the current knowledge base in the osteoarthritis (OA) literature.

S.H.A.R.E. AIM
To make available ARIA data in a manner that readily allows external investigators the ability to collaborate with ARIA in epidemiologic OA research.

ARIA DATA BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 1988, ARIA located in Clearwater, Florida, initiated The Clearwater Osteoarthritis Study (COS). The COS is an on-going community-based prospective cohort study designed to identify the major risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis, differentiate risk factors for localized and generalized primary OA, as well as to identify risk factors for the progression of OA. Currently in its nineteenth year, the twenty-five year longitudinal study follows men and women, forty years of age and older, collecting demographic, historical, clinical, and radiological data. To date, more than 3700 enrollees have been recruited and examined. The study sample of this older community is comprised of volunteer participants who are recruited by various methods. These include: invitational letters, television and radio announcements, newspaper articles publicizing the COS study, articles posted in community organizations' bulletins, as well as seminars held at community clubs and organizations.

At initial contact with participants a description of study procedures is given, followed by a screening questionnaire, detailing inclusion and exclusion criteria. After eligibility is determined and the informed consent is obtained, participants are asked to complete the self-administered COS History Questionnaire. This collects detailed information pertaining to demographics, family history, childhood history, adult habits and behavior, adult diet and work history, leisure/sports activities, ailments, injury history, medicines taken during adult life, self-functional assessment, and joint symptoms.

The 139-item questionnaire is completed at the subject's home and is collected at the time of the scheduled appointment. At the initial and all subsequent ARIA appointments, a physical exam is conducted, including x-rays. The COS Physical Exam is completed by the clinicians at that time. The physical exam has an emphasis on clinical and functional joint evaluation. Study participants are re-evaluated biennially, updating both the history questionnaire and the clinical exam information. [Note. Starting in 2005, ARIA completed the COS Physical Exam phase of the COS study. However, ARIA continues to collect the COS History Questionnaire information, as well as the radiographs.] A licensed x-ray technician using standard exposure techniques takes radiographs of weight-bearing knees and feet radiographs, lateral cervical spine and the hands. X-rays are interpreted by a board-certified radiologist.

On this web site, the COS Master Data Dictionary for the S.H.A.R.E. Project is available. Interested researchers will also find the specifics for the radiographic procedures.

The collaborator will be assessed a nominal fee to cover the administrative costs associated with warehousing the data set and the S.H.A.R.E. Project.

S.H.A.R.E. Project Documents

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