Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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TJ
The Journal of Rheumatology is owned by the Canadian Rheumatology Association Foundation, a charity supporting research, education, and care delivery for people with rheumatic diseases, and is published monthly by The Journal of Rheumatology Publishing Co. Ltd.
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Subject
Rheumatology
Impact Factor
3.4
Quartile
Q2
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
0315-162X
eISSN
1499-2752
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
$75 per published page; optional open access publication fee $4000 flat fee.
Submission Instructions
The Journal of Rheumatology accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Full-Length Manuscripts
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that due attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, the manuscript type, and any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use including the tool name, version, date, reason for use, and confirmation that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 3500 words from Introduction through Discussion. Manuscript must be organized to include Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgment, References, Figure Legends, Tables and Figures, Data Supplements, and Appendix, with main sections indicated by subheadings. Manuscript must include funding and conflict of interest declarations, up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms on the Title Page, and an AI disclosure at the end of the manuscript before References if generative AI or AI-assisted tools were used.
References
References must not exceed 50. References must be numbered consecutively in the order cited, identified in the text, tables, and legends by Arabic numerals in parentheses, use Medline journal abbreviations, list all authors when there are 6 or fewer and list 3 authors followed by et al. when there are 7 or more, and must not include unpublished observations or personal communications.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 6 combined. Tables, figures, data supplements, and the appendix must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after References. Tables must be prepared as separate editable Word files and numbered consecutively, and figures must be numbered in the sequence cited with complete uppercase labels and legends that define abbreviations.
Systematic Reviews
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, note the manuscript type, and disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use with the tool name, version, date, reason for use, and confirmation that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 4000 words from Introduction through Discussion. Manuscript must be organized with the sections Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgment, References, Figure Legends, Tables and Figures, Data Supplements, and Appendix. Manuscript must include funding and conflict of interest declarations, up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms on the Title Page, and an AI disclosure at the end of the manuscript before References if applicable.
References
References must not exceed 125. References must follow a numbered citation style. References must be numbered consecutively in order of citation, cited in the text with Arabic numerals in parentheses, use Medline journal title abbreviations, list all authors when there are 6 or fewer and list 3 authors followed by et al when there are 7 or more, and exclude unpublished observations and personal communications.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 6 combined. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after the References. Tables must be prepared as separate editable Word files and numbered consecutively, and figures must be numbered in the sequence cited with complete uppercase labels and legends defining all abbreviations.
Metaanalyses
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, and it must note the manuscript type, and it must disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use including the tool name, version, date of use, reason for use, and confirmation that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 4000 words from Introduction through Discussion. Manuscript must be organized to include Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgment, References, Figure Legends, Tables and Figures, Data Supplements, and Appendix. Manuscript must include a funding and conflict of interest declaration, up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms on the Title Page, and an AI disclosure at the end of the manuscript before References if generative AI or AI-assisted tools were used.
References
References must not exceed 125. References must be numbered consecutively in the order cited in the text and identified by Arabic numerals in parentheses, with journal titles abbreviated according to Medline and with 3 authors plus et al. listed for works with 7 or more authors and all authors listed for works with 6 or fewer authors.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 6 combined. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after References. Figures and tables must be numbered consecutively in the order they are mentioned in the text.
Review Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, note the manuscript type, and disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use with the tool name, version, date, reason for use, and confirmation that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript word count must not exceed 4000 words. Manuscript must be organized to include Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgment, References, Figure Legends, Tables and Figures, Data Supplements, and Appendix. Manuscript must include funding and conflict of interest declarations, up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms on the Title Page, and a generative AI disclosure statement at the end of the manuscript before the References if such tools were used.
References
References must not exceed 125. References must be numbered consecutively in the order cited, identified in the text by Arabic numerals in parentheses, use Medline journal title abbreviations, list all authors when there are 6 or fewer and list 3 authors followed by et al. when there are 7 or more, and unpublished observations or personal communications may not be used as references.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 6 combined. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after References. Tables must be numbered consecutively and each include a brief title and legend, and figures must be numbered in the sequence mentioned in the text with legends that define all abbreviations.
Brief Communications
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, note the manuscript type, and disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use including the tool name, version, date of use, reason for use, and that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 2500 words from Introduction through Discussion. Manuscript must be organized with the sections Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgment, References, Figure Legends, Tables and Figures, Data Supplements, and Appendix. Manuscript must include a funding and conflict of interest declaration, up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms on the Title Page, and an AI disclosure statement at the end of the manuscript before the References if applicable.
References
References must not exceed 25. References must be numbered consecutively in the order cited and identified in the text, tables, and legends by Arabic numerals in parentheses, with journal titles abbreviated according to Medline and 7 or more authors shortened to the first 3 followed by et al.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 3 combined. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after the References.
Research Letters
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, that the manuscript type is Research Letter, and must disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use including the tool name, version, date, reason for use, and that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
Abstract is not required.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 800 words. Manuscript must be organized with subheadings and include the sections Title Page, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgment, References, Figure Legends, Tables and Figures, Data Supplements, and Appendix, with ethics approval number, patient consent statement, and clinical trial registration number placed on the Title Page if applicable. Title Page must include up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms, and the manuscript must include funding and conflict of interest declarations plus an AI disclosure statement at the end of the manuscript before References if AI or AI-assisted tools were used.
References
References must not exceed 10. References use a numbered Vancouver-style system with Arabic numerals in parentheses. References must be numbered consecutively in order of first mention, use Medline journal title abbreviations, exclude unpublished observations and personal communications, list all authors when there are 6 or fewer and list 3 authors followed by et al when there are 7 or more.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 2 combined. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after References. Tables must be prepared as separate editable Word files and numbered consecutively, and figures must be numbered in the sequence mentioned in the text with complete uppercase labels and legends defining abbreviations and symbols.
Case Reports
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, note the manuscript type, and disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use including the tool name, version, date of use, reason for use, and that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
Abstract is not required.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 800 words. Manuscript must be organized with main sections indicated by subheadings, and if applicable the Title Page must include the ethics approval number, statement of patient consent, and clinical trial registration number. Title Page must include up to 6 MeSH Key Indexing Terms, and the manuscript must include funding and conflict of interest declarations plus an AI disclosure at the end of the manuscript before the References if AI tools were used.
References
References must not exceed 10. References must be numbered consecutively in the order mentioned in the text, cited by Arabic numerals in parentheses, use Medline journal abbreviations, and list all authors when there are 6 or fewer or the first 3 authors followed by et al. when there are 7 or more.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 2 combined. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files, and figure legends must appear in the manuscript only after the References. Figures and tables must be numbered consecutively in the sequence mentioned in the text.
Correspondence
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must state that the final manuscript has been seen and approved by all authors, that required ethical approvals have been obtained, that necessary attention has been given to ensure the integrity of the work, that the manuscript type is Correspondence, and disclose any generative AI or AI-assisted tool use with the tool name, version, date of use, reason for use, and confirmation that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
Abstract
Abstract is not required.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 800 words. Manuscript must include a funding and conflict of interest declaration and an AI disclosure at the end of the manuscript before the References if generative AI or AI-assisted tools were used, including the tool name, version, date of use, reason for use, and confirmation that all authors reviewed the AI-generated content.
References
References must not exceed 10. References must be numbered consecutively in the order cited, identified in the text, tables, and legends by Arabic numerals in parentheses, use Medline journal title abbreviations, and list all authors for works with 6 or fewer authors or the first 3 authors followed by et al. for works with 7 or more authors.
Figures & Tables
Tables and figures must not exceed 2 in total. Tables and figures must be submitted as separate files. Figure legends must appear in the manuscript after the References, and each table must be prepared in a separate Word file.
Recent Publications
From Mouth to Joint: Citrullinated Bacteria in Driving Synovial Autoimmunity
Eddie A. James
10.3899/jrheum.2026-0410
View Publication
Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate-Associated Skin Lesions: Clinical Features and Mechanisms
Li Yang, Xiang Li, Qinghua Zou
10.3899/jrheum.2025-1087
View Publication
Introducing the Global Exploration of Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Assessment (EXPLORE-PsA): The First Young-GRAPPA Research Initiative
Michelle L.M. Mulder, Dylan McGagh, Philip S. Helliwell
10.3899/jrheum.2026-0435
View Publication
Topicals for Psoriasis: Classical Drugs, New Concepts, and New Medications
Juan Raul Castro-Ayarza, Manuel Dario Franco
10.3899/jrheum.2026-0440
View Publication
Bridging the Gap: Rheumatology Meets Palliative Care
Adam Amlani, Alexandra Saltman
10.3899/jrheum.2026-0457
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Reviewers are given a minimum of 21 days to review. Accepted Articles are published online 1–2 weeks after receipt of publication-quality figures, tables, permissions, and copyright forms. First Release articles are published online 2–4 weeks after final proof correction. Typical time from acceptance to print publication is approximately 3–6 months.
Reformat to The Journal of Rheumatology using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
Manuscripts should be accompanied by a cover letter stating that all authors approved the final manuscript, required ethical approvals were obtained, the integrity of the work was ensured, and the authors agree to applicable publication charges if accepted. The cover letter should identify the manuscript type. Disclosure of any generative AI use, including tool name, version, date of use, and reason for use, is required in the cover letter.
Reformat to The Journal of Rheumatology using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Page charges are $75 per published page. Authors of original research articles may choose an open access option for a $4000 flat fee.
Reformat to The Journal of Rheumatology using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
Spondyloarthritis Studies and Treatments
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders Research
Systemic Sclerosis and Related Diseases
Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
Vasculitis and related conditions
Gout, Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid
Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
Inflammatory Myopathies and Dermatomyositis
Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
Otitis Media and Relapsing Polychondritis
Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
Bone and Joint Diseases
Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
Inflammasome and immune disorders
Liver Diseases and Immunity
Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
Salivary Gland Disorders and Functions