OBJECTIVES:To investigate the benefit of anti-TNF therapy on physical and mental functioning via the short form-36 (SF-36) quality of life (QOL) questionnaire in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS:All patients entered onto the biologic database between November 2004 and November 2007 with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis were retrospectively analysed. A total of 241 patients were included in the comparison. Complete data was collected on 73 patients from this sample to date. Each patient on attending the clinic completes an SF-36 questionnaire at baseline and at 12 months post biologic therapy.  The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS) CRP, which included swollen and tender joint count, a global disease assessment and a CRP(C Reactive Protein) value, is also recorded at these time points. The results of the questionnaire were then analysed and the norm-based SF-36 scoring system was used to calculate the physical and mental component summary scores (PCS, MCS). These results were then entered onto an excel database and statistical analysis (Paired Sample T test and Pearson’s Correlation) was completed using SPSS version 14. DAS 28 (CRP) scores were also examined to identify any correlation between disease activity and quality of life. RESULTS: Twenty-two (30%) of these were male with a mean age of 56 years. The mean duration of disease in this cohort was 14 years.  Statistical analysis was completed on the N=73. There was an improvement in QoL which was demonstrated by the statistically significant increase in PCS and MCS pre and post biologic therapy. However there was a greater increase in the PCS compared to the MCS.  A significant negative correlation was seen between the post biologic PCS and DAS (CRP) although the correlation was weak (r=-0.45)(p=<0.0001).  A significant correlation was not seen between the MCS and the DAS (CRP) post biologic therapy (r=-0.114) (p=0.366). CONCLUSIONS:There is a significant increase in PCS post biologic therapy in this patient cohort.  The values of both MCS and PCS return to normal population (US) based values within 12 months of initiating biologic therapy. The decrease in PCS and MCS seen here is consistent with other rheumatic diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis as has been demonstrated in a recent study [1].The findings of the present study indicate a significant benefit to QOL of patients following initiation of anti-TNF therapy. A larger cohort of patients would be required to examine the correlation between disease activity (DAS 28) and QOL (PCS and MCS). [1] Han C, Smolen J,Kavanaugh A et al. The impact of infliximab treatment on quality of life in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Research and Therapy 2007;9:R103.