£3 million awarded to pain research
The pain challenge seeks to fund research that will increase our understanding of the fundamental biological mechanisms and pathways which underlie musculoskeletal pain and which may lead to the prevention, identification or development of new treatments for pain.The first call for applications for our pain challenge was launched in early 2016, and we invested a total of over£3 million in 13 projects as part of this round. We wanted to tell you about all the exciting projects that we funded as part of this first call:Dr Chantal Chenu (The Royal Veterinary College)The role of the nerve growth mediator semaphorin-3A in...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - June 18, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New study highlights patient concerns about glucocorticoid side effects
This study has shown that weight gain, insomnia and moon face were the top three most important side effects to patients taking glucocorticoids. Despite this, they are not widely studied, with many unanswered questions. "Research should be informed by patients, and targeted to provide patients with better information about these side effects of high importance." Arthritis Research UK's view Devi Rani Sagar, research liaison manager at Arthritis Research UK, said:"We believe that people with arthritis should get the recognition and support they deserve, and that's why we invest in research to find the...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - June 13, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Arthritis Research UK at EULAR 2017
This year'sAnnual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2017) is being held in Madrid 14-17 June.TheEuropean League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is an organisation which represents the patient, health professional and scientific societies of rheumatology of all the European nations. EULAR endeavours to stimulate, promote, and support the research, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of rheumatic diseases.The EULAR congress is a forum for interaction between medical doctors, scientists, people with arthritis, health professionals and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry worldwide.We will be attending the con...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - June 13, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Priorities in clinical research – call for applications
Clinical research delivers healthcare science that develops and evaluates the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease.Call for applicationsWe are now inviting applications for clinical research funding in the areas highlighted in the clinical studies group strategies. We aim to fund innovative research that seeks to address key clinical research priorities that will change practice and impact on quality of life, utilising novel trial design...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - June 11, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Pain challenge – call for applications
Applications are now open for our pain challenge with an outline application deadline of 16:00 on Thursday 31 August 2017, and a full application deadline of 16:00 on Thursday 4 January 2018.Call for applicationsWe invite applications for ambitious and innovative research that will have a significant impact on tackling the pain of musculoskeletal diseases. Funded research resulting from the call will be expected to make a significant leap forward in our understanding of musculoskeletal pain, how it is managed and how it may be prevented.We have adopted a flexible approach for this challenge and awards are av...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - June 6, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Putting Disability Benefits on the Election agenda
Volunteers, campaigners and staff from Arthritis Research UK attended the National Disability Hustings this week hosted by a consortium of charities working to support people with disabilities.Over 150 disabled people gathered in Church House to hear from, and question, representatives from the political parties. The panel was made up of Penny Mordaunt, most recent Minister for Disabled People representing the Conservatives, Kate Green, former Shadow Minister for Disabled People for Labour, and Baroness Brinton, a Liberal Democrat Peer and former health spokesperson. Baroness Brinton was also the first wheelchair user to h...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - June 6, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
State of Musculoskeletal Health 2017 report
We are delighted to announce the launch of theState of Musculoskeletal Health 2017 report.The compendium report, to be updated annually, is a comprehensive one-stop data source of information and statistics on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, comorbidities and impact of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in the UK. What conditions are included?1. Inflammatory conditionsAxial Spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis)GoutJuvenile idiopathic arthritisRheumatoid arthritis2. Musculoskeletal painOsteoarthritisBack pain3. Osteoporosis and fragility fracturesThe State of Musculoskeletal...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 31, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
State of Musculoskeletal Health 2017
We are delighted to announce the launch of theState of Musculoskeletal Health 2017.The compendium report, to be updated annually, is a comprehensive one-stop data source of information and statistics on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, comorbidities and impact of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in the UK. What conditions are included?1. Inflammatory conditionsAxial Spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis)GoutJuvenile idiopathic arthritisRheumatoid arthritis2. Musculoskeletal painOsteoarthritisBack pain3. Osteoporosis and fragility fracturesThe State of Musculoskeletal Health 2017...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 31, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Researchfish deadline extended until 7th June
Please note that due to technical issues which have prevented some grantholders from being able to submit theirResearchfish reports, we will be extending the reporting deadline until 7th June. The majority of our awards report through Researchfish in either May or December. If you're due to report in May, you should have received an email to let you know. We recognise that new awards may have little to report, but please complete your update as fully as you can.In particular we ask that you:Only report outputs arising from work funded by the specific grant that we have asked you to report onreview all sectio...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 30, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New study identifies stem cells that can help repair knee joints
A new study has identified stem cells that could be used to help repair damage to the knee joints associated with conditions such asarthritis. The research - which was funded by Arthritis Research UK, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and Tenovus Scotland - has opened the door for future treatments that can help to prevent the worst damage caused by arthritis before it occurs. How these cells affect the health of the knee joint A University of Aberdeen team were able to identify the stem cells in the synovium - the connective tissue that surrounds the joints - that have the capacity to reform and repair cart...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 21, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Osteoarthritis 'can be prevented by improving diet and exercise'
Improving dietary intake and getting moreexercise can make a difference to a person's risk of developingosteoarthritis, according to new research. Scientists from the University of Surrey have conducted an expert review that has identified a crucial link between metabolism and osteoarthritis, suggesting that basic lifestyle changes can be effective in delaying or preventing the onset of the condition. The link between osteoarthritis and metabolism The study examined existing research evidence to assess the role that metabolic changes caused by a poordiet and a sedentary lifestyle have on triggering the genetic reprogra...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 16, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Conference report: British Pain Society and British Society for Rheumatology
We recently attended the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and the British Pain Society (BPS) conferences in April and May 2017, respectively.British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference The BSR annual conference took place on the 25-27 April 2017. This three day conference was attended by our research, and strategic development (providing information and support for healthcare professionals and patients) directorates. This was extremely beneficial as it gave us the opportunity to tell the attendees about the important work being carried out across the charity, and n...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 15, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New study highlights role of common gene variations in ankylosing spondylitis
New research has revealed an insight into the genetic underpinnings ofankylosing spondylitis that could aid the future treatment of the disease. Led by the University of Oxford and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study has indicated that the specific genetic variants associated with the onset of the condition may be more common than previously thought. The true genetic origin of ankylosing spondylitis For this study, data on 213 ankylosing spondylitis patients and 46 people with rheumatoidarthritis was analysed in order to examine the common scientific assumption that ankylosing spondy...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 15, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New study aims to improve analysis of physical activity in osteoarthritis patients
The scientific assessment of physical activity trends in people withosteoarthritis could be enhanced thanks to a new study funded byArthritis Research UK. Led by the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport,Exercise and Osteoarthritis at the University of Oxford, the study looked at reporting methods of physical activity across a number of international studies, before making a series of recommendations about how these methods could be made more consistent. Forming a clearer consensus Researchers are becoming increasingly aware that physical activity needs to be considered an important factor when studying osteoarthritis, bu...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 15, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Knee surgery 'should not be used to treat degenerative knee disease'
Knee arthroscopy should not be considered a suitable treatment option for the vast majority of patients with degenerative knee disease, according to experts. An international panel, led by Reed Siemieniuk at McMaster University in Canada, has reviewed the available evidence and come to a firm conclusion that surgery does not offer any substantial benefits for these patients, despite most guidance suggesting otherwise. Why knee surgery may be unsuitable Part of the British Medical Journal's Rapid Recommendations initiative, which aims to quickly generate trustworthy guidance for doctors based on the latest evidence, the...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - May 10, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
