OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the role of different subsets of circulating follicular helper T cells (Tfh), central memory (TCM), effector memory (TEM), Naïve T, chemokines, and cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Blood samples from RA patients (n = 44) and healthy controls (n = 37) were analyzed. The frequencies of circulating Tfh, TCM, TEM, and Naïve T cell subsets were enumerated, and the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, such as inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) and programmed death-1 (PD1), on these cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The disease state in RA patients was assessed using the DAS28. Concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured. Cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-9, IL-17A, MCP-1, IL-10, IL-12p70, and IL-21, were measured by a cytometric beads array assay. RESULTS: The percentages of circulating PD1ICOS Tfh, PD1ICOS TEM, and PD1ICOS TCM of PBMCs from RA patients were higher than those in healthy controls. Furthermore, expression of circulating PD1ICOS Tfh, PD1ICOS TEM, and PD1ICOS TCM showed a positive correlation with DAS28. In addition, increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1 were detected in the patients with RA compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated circulating T cell subsets and cytokines expression profile were observed in RA patients. IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-1β were significantly increased in RA, and PD1ICOS TEM, PD1ICOS TCM, and PD1ICOS Tfh cell subsets were positively correlated with disease activity DAS28. Therefore, PD1ICOS TEM, PD1ICOS TCM, and PD1ICOS Tfh cells might serve an important role in the progression of RA.