British Society of Rheumatology Prizes - Congratulations!
Michael Mason PrizeWe would like to say congratulations to Dr Francesca Barone (University of Birmingham) for being awarded theMichael Mason Prize by the British Society of Rheumatology. This prize is awarded by the Herberden Committee for excellence in clinical or scientific research in the field of rheumatology.Dr Francesca Barone holds anArthritis Research UK senior research fellowship. She is working to improve understanding of Sjögren’s syndrome, by looking at tertiary lymphoid organs that reside in the salivary glands. As well as answering why these structures are present, and whether removal of these stru...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - April 3, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Moderate drinking 'does not risk liver damage for methotrexate users'
People receiving the common rheumatoidarthritis therapymethotrexate can safely drink moderate amounts of alcohol without running the risk of liver damage. This is according to a new study from the University of Manchester, funded by Arthritis Research UK, which shows that drinking 14 units of alcohol or fewer per week is not likely to cause any liver health issues. Sticking to modest levels of drinking'likely to be safe' Methotrexate is often taken over extended periods of time to limit or prevent joint damage and disability associated withrheumatoid arthritis. Generally, those receiving the drug are advised to abs...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 28, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New study identifies targets for blocking cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis
Scientists have made a potentially important discovery about the way that cartilage damage occurs in people withosteoarthritis, potentially opening the door for new treatments to be developed. Funded byArthritis Research UK and led by Oxford University's Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, the study identified enzymes that play a key role in joint destruction, which could be targeted by future therapies. How these molecules contribute to osteoarthritis Published in the medical journal Arthritis& Rheumatology, the research offers an important insight into how cartilage cells called chondrocytes are interrupted ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 27, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New biomarker 'could aid prediction of rheumatoid arthritis outcomes'
A new biomarker has been discovered that could make it easier to predict which rheumatoidarthritis patients are most likely to experience a positive prognosis. Researchers at Uppsala University have carried out a study showing that antibodies against the cartilage protein collagen II are associated with better outcomes, and could be helpful in determining the best treatment to use for each patient. A link between collagen antibodies and disease development For this study, a large group ofrheumatoid arthritis patients were followed over five years to establish a possible correlation between collagen antibody levels and dise...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 23, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Modified red blood cells 'could alleviate autoimmune diseases'
This study is interesting and has the potential to be a tool used to both treat and prevent rheumatoid arthritis. It is promising to see that autoimmunity could be treated in mice, but people with arthritis need to be aware that this research is in its very early stages. "More research is needed to determine how the results can be translated into a benefit for people living inpain now, and for those who may develop arthritis in the future." (Source: Arthritis Research UK)
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 17, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Research into movement in elite sports could help to prevent and treat osteoarthritis
The way we move our bodies during everyday life, including how we walk, sit, run and play sports, has an impact on our joints and muscles throughout our lives. That’s why Arthritis Research UK is funding innovative research to build understanding of the way athletes and professional sportspeople move and the stresses those movements place on their joints.This insight will then be used to develop new approaches to treat the pain ofosteoarthritis and to help people to exercise safely, reducing their risk of injury and of developing arthritis in the future.Leading researchers from all over the country have been brought ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 16, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Is running good or bad for your joints? Study searches for a definitive answer
The evidence that exercise can help to reduce the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis is overwhelming. This evidence isn't only gathered from robust scientific studies, but also directly from people of all ages who tell us howstaying active has helped them to live well with arthritis.However, the idea that certain types of exercise can be damaging to our joints, doing more harm than good, persists. This is particularly the case with running which, despite being a hugely popular pastime in the UK, continues to be the subject of conflicting reports in the media about its health benefits and risks. Thousands of people of v...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 16, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Giving people with arthritis a voice to explain why work matters
In autumn 2016 we told you about the launch of our Work Matters to Me campaign, arguing for greater support for people with arthritis to return to, and remain in, work. Thanks to your active support the first stage of the campaign has ensured people with arthritis have been given an opportunity to explain to policymakers why work matters to them.More than 260 people responded to our campaign call to share their views and experiences about work and arthritis. This fantastic response meant your stories featured heavily in the evidence submitted in the Arthritis Research UK response to the Government’s Disability Employ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 16, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Everyday exercises for everyday life
We know joint pain can limit your ability to live life to the full and stop you doing things that are important to you. And exercise may be one of the first things to fall off the to do list.Arthritis Research UK recently asked nearly a thousand people who've had or do have joint pain about their attitudes to doing at least 20 minutes of exercise, such as walking, stretching, running or yoga. We found that half of them (51%) said having joint pain had put them off doing exercise. This finding is worrying, as research shows keeping active is one of the best things you can do both manage and reduce the pain and stiffness whi...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 16, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Could better information and support before and after surgery transform joint replacement results?
Joint replacements improve the quality of life of thousands of people with arthritis in the UK each year. More than 104,000 knee replacements and 98,000 hip replacements were performed during 2015 alone.We know many of you have already benefited from this surgery, telling us how a new hip or knee has got you moving again, cut down on your pain and helped you to get the most out of life. However, there's still vital work to be done to help even more people to experience positive outcomes after joint replacement surgery, which is why Arthritis Research UK is funding extensive research in this area.Recently published results ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 16, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Too many Brits are putting off exercise
Results of our survey have revealed that only half of people in the UK (53%) exercise more than once a week.Over 2,000 people were questioned about their attitudes to doing exercise, such as walking, stretching, running or cycling, for at least 20 minutes. Results showed that:There's a clear intention gap– 75% said that they wished they exercised more than once per week, but just 53% of people do.18% said that they do some form of exercise every day.17% admitted that they never do any form of exercise. This is despite Government guidelines recommending that adults should aim for 30 minutes of exercise five days ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 15, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Research explores link between a baby ’s movement in the womb and increased risk of osteoarthritis
(Source: Arthritis Research UK)
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 14, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Providing physical activity interventions for people with musculoskeletal conditions
We're pleased to be launching our new report,‘Providing physical activity interventions for people with musculoskeletal conditions’ at the annual LGA/ADPH annual conference today (9 March).Physical activity is a key part of a public health approach to musculoskeletal conditions and it has a range of benefits for people with musculoskeletal conditions in terms of improving quality of life and supporting people to be independent. It can reduce joint and back pain by 25% while also improving sleep, managing stress and reducing depression, anxiety and dementia and is therefore beneficial for people who have a muscu...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 9, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Immune homeostasis partnership with Cancer Research UK
In February 2017 we made a commitment withCancer Research UK to explore ways we could work together to maximise progress in our shared strategic priorities spanning both cancer and arthritis or related musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders.The immune system continues to intrigue us; as we get closer to finding ways of using or moderating immune responses, new and unexpected challenges present themselves, often testing even our most fundamental understanding. Cancer Research UK and Arthritis Research UK have come together to ask you to help us rise to the specific challenge of understanding immune homeostasis in different disease...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 7, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Partnership funding call with MQ: Transforming Mental Health
We're pleased to announce that for the second year, we're partnering with mental health research charity MQ: Transforming Mental Health to co-fund one early career researcher in their2017 Fellows Award programme. MQ is a new charity funding much needed scientific research to transform the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. Together, we recognise the significant mental health burden that musculoskeletal disease can bring, in particular as a result of chronic pain, and the impact that this can have on quality of life.For this award we invite applications which examine mental health conditions associated with muscu...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - March 6, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
