SATURDAY, March 26 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus or other rheumatic diseases now have an opportunity to become active players in research aimed at fighting these illnesses.

Researchers are looking for volunteers to help provide important data for the National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases.

More than 10,000 people are already contributing to this research by volunteering about an hour of time to answer questions about their condition and how it affects their lives.

Researchers are looking for people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus or other rheumatic diseases. Patients report on all aspects of their illness in detailed semi-annual questionnaires, which are available either online or by mail.

For more information, contact the Arthritis Research Center Foundation Inc. at (316) 263-2125 or visit www.arthritis-research.org.

More information

The National Institutes of Health have more about rheumatic disease.