John M. Davis, III, M.D.

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SUMMARY

John M. Davis III, M.D., investigates ways to improve the clinical assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and autoinflammatory diseases. His research spans population-based epidemiologic studies, patient-oriented translational research projects and clinical trials. As a clinical researcher, Dr. Davis collaborates with other physicians and scientists toward an improved understanding of the biology of diverse manifestations of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. His long-term goal is to develop better approaches for individualizing clinical assessment and enhancing shared decision-making about treatment options for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Focus areas

• The gut microbiome and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Davis is co-principal investigator of a multidisciplinary, longitudinal observational study to identify novel biomarkers for prediction of the response to methotrexate among patients with early rheumatoid arthritis based on profiles of gut microbes.
• Enhancing shared decision-making for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Davis is conducting a multicenter clinical trial to determine the impact of integrating patient-reported outcome measures into routine clinical care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The trial uses the mobile health application ArthritisPower, collecting data between clinical visits on clinical disease activity and patient-reported experience of shared decision-making about treatment options.
• Targeting pain in rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Davis is collaborating with other Mayo Clinic neurologists and neuroradiologists to investigate the interactions among pain, joint inflammation and functional connectivity of brain networks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
• Spondyloarthritis research. Dr. Davis is leading studies of patients with axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease to enhance early recognition and diagnosis and to develop novel predictors of treatment response and long-term outcomes.
• Evaluating the role of the gene NOD2 in adult-onset autoinflammatory syndromes. Dr. Davis is leading research with colleagues both within and outside of Mayo Clinic to understand the role of the gene nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) in mediating spontaneous inflammation in patients with periodic fevers, rashes, gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammatory arthritis and sicca symptoms, known as Yao syndrome.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Davis anticipates that through his research activities, he will advance new clinical tools and approaches to improve care for patients with rheumatic diseases. By improving the ability of rheumatologists to measure the impact of the disease on their patients, and by understanding mechanisms of adverse health despite treatment, he anticipates the development of new treatment strategies that alleviate pain, improve physical and mental functioning and quality of life, and restore satisfaction with health care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Additionally, Dr. Davis is working to develop diagnostic tests and biologic treatments for patients with NOD2-associated autoinflammatory syndromes.

Professional highlights

• Section editor for rheumatology, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018-present
• Associate editor, The Journal of Rheumatology, 2017-present
• Member, Arthritis Advisory Committee, United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2017-present
• Safety officer, Data Safety and Monitoring Board, Treatments Against RA and Effect on FDG PET CT: The TARGET Trial, sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), 2017-present
• Top Performing Provider in Patient Experience, Mayo Clinic Experience, Mayo Clinic, 2020