OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey and attempts to inform strategies for the prevention, treatment, and support of RA. METHODS: In the present study, 2359 patients with RA from 43 centers across Turkey and who were listed in the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) RA Registry were evaluated. Their demographic and clinical data were recorded. Disease activity, functional status, and radiographic damage were measured using the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and van der Heijde modified Sharp scoring method. Disease activity status was defined according to EULAR criteria. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 51.6 ± 12.5 years; 83.3% (1966) were women and 16.7% (393) were men. The mean duration of education was 5.22 ± 3.84 years, and 74.6% were homemakers. The mean disease duration was 11.9 ± 8.7 years. Exercise habits, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption were present in 7.1%, 16.2%, and 2.0%, respectively. The most common extra-articular signs were those involving the eye (4.8%). Co-morbid diseases were observed in 57.1% of the patients. Nonbiological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were used by 91.0% of the patients, while 10.2% used biological DMARDs. The mean DAS-28, HAQ, and Sharp scores were 4.04 ± 1.46, 0.38 ± 0.37, and 31.25 ± 57.18, respectively. Patients who were in remission and had low disease activity rates comprised 17.8% and 14.1% of the sample respectively, while 42.7% and 25.5% had moderate and high disease activity rates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with RA in Turkey are middle-aged and homemakers. The level of education that important for compliance and success of treatment was low. Despite the high use of DMARDs, the majority of patients have moderate and high disease activities. This finding may suggest that the current treatment is insufficient.