In July 1997, the first meeting of GLADEL investigators took place in México DF.

Through ARTHROS®, a software that includes a database, the exchange of information via e-mail is established, among the participating centers after they have received the adequate training.

In addition, the first prospective Latin American Lupus Cohort was created, incorporating to date, 1480 patients.Results of this research have been published in three papers already (see below) and several more are in preparation.Moreover, a 10-year follow-up is being envisioned for 2007.

2003 (April) In Acapulco, México, during the Forum: “”Appropriate and Effective Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis”” organized by ABBOTT, the idea of GLADAR (Grupo Latinoamericano De Artritis Reumaotide) begins to arise, based on the GLADEL experience.

2003 (June) In Lisbon, Portugal, a meeting takes place between members of GLADAR and ABBOTT Laboratories, with the purpose of obtaining an unrestricted educational grant, in order to conduct a prospective observational study denominated GLADAR (Grupo LAtinoamericano De Artritis Reumaotide) in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis patients in up to 59 centers from 19 countries and including about 1000 patients.

2003 (September 12) In Quito, Ecuador, the official creation of GLADAR takes place.

2003 (September 13-14) In Quito, Ecuador, the “First Consensus of Latin American rheumatologists on rheumatoid arthritis takes place. Forty delegates from 17 Latin American countries participate in this meeting.

2003 (September 16) In Galápagos, Ecuador, results of this first consensus are presented at the “I Congreso Latinoamericano de Autoinmunidad”.

2003 (December) In Río de Janeiro, Brasil, the first “GLADAR investigators meeting” takes place with 59 investigators and 2 cyber experts as Participants.

2004 (March) First 11 patients are incorporated into the GLADAR cohort.

2004 (October) In San Antonio (Texas), USA, the First “GLADAR Strategic Planification Meeting” takes place.

2005 (February 5) In Barranquilla, Colombia, the “Barranquilla Agreement“ is signed between GLADAR and PANLAR (Panamerican League of Associations of Rheumatology). This implies mutual collaboration in the development of projects related to the progress of the knowledge of RA in the region and towards the strengthening of both institutions.

2005 (October 3 & 4) In Reñaca, Chile, the “Second Consensus: PANLAR rheumatoid arthritis study group and GLADAR consensus meeting of Latin-American rheumatologist on education and the use of DMARDs and biologics” takes place with 59 delegates of 21 Latin American countries plus the US and Canada as participants.

2006 (March 26) the incorporation of the prospective RA cohort is closed with the inclusion of 1093 early onset RA patients. Forty six (46) centers from 14 Latin American countries.

2006 (May 1 & 2) In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Second “GLADAR Investigator Meeting”’ takes place with 50 investigators and 2 cyber experts as participants.

2006 The “First Latin American Position Paper on the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis” is published inRheumatology, volume 45, supplement 2, Jun 2006.