Chronic conditions 'can lead to disability and social exclusion in middle age'
This study demonstrates that multimorbidity is not exclusively an issue affecting older people; its challenges are being experienced in middle age. What's more, living with arthritis alongside another chronic condition is associated with disability. "When you live with more than one long-term condition, including arthritis, it's important that its impact is recognised and addressed properly. NICE recently issued new guidelines stating that healthcare professionals must be alert to the chronicpain experienced by some people with arthritis, and the need to effectively assess pain management." (Source: Arthritis Research UK)
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 18, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Genetic markers 'could help predict response to rheumatoid arthritis therapies'
A number of genetic markers have been identified that could help predict treatment responses among people with rheumatoidarthritis. Led by Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and presented at the latest annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, the research has offered insights into new methods for testing patients to ensure they receive therapies that will work for them most effectively. How genes can predict responses to common therapies The study looked at data from 241 patients involved in a clinical trial called ORBIT, with the aim of fi...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 17, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Search launched for product design ideas which push back the limits of arthritis
Arthritis Research UK is once again partnering with the Design Council to find innovative product design ideas that offer practical solutions to the challenges of living with arthritis.Design Council Spark is a support programme and fund designed to help people turn their idea into a commercially successful product. We're specifically looking for applications from people with a good idea that will help people with arthritis live better.Successful designers will receive£15,000 for initial product development, as well as a place on the Design Council 16-week programme providing expertise and one-to-one mentoring.Follow...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 15, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Scientists discover how the body acts to naturally prevent lupus
This study is exciting because it shows promise in finding a new therapy for lupus with limited adverse effects. "We look forward to seeing further research in this area, and hope that this molecule could inform the development of an effective new therapy for lupus." (Source: Arthritis Research UK)
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 15, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Scientists discover a link between DNA marks and chronic widespread muscle pain
Scientists at King’s College London, who we've funded, have found a link between changes in marks on the outside of DNA (epigenetics) and chronic widespread muscle pain, one of the main symptoms offibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common long-term chronic condition that causes fatigue and widespread pain in muscles and bones.Despite its prevalence, the causes of fibromyalgia are poorly understood and there are limited treatments available. There are no diagnostic tests and it can't be detected using conventional tests such as scans or x-rays.The study published today (10 November) will help scientists towards the devel...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 10, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Applications for internship scheme 2017 now open
Back in August we updated you on our nurse and allied health professional internship scheme, giving you an insight into the 2016 cohort of interns and the projects they were working on. With the 2016 cohort now coming to an end, we're excited to announce that applications for 2017 are now open.
Why apply?The internship scheme provides fantastic opportunities for occupational therapy, podiatry, physiotherapy and nursing final year students/recent graduates who have an interest in clinical research into the personal impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).Interns can expect to:obtain first-hand experience of ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 9, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Researchfish deadline approaching
Award-holders who are due to report in December must have updatedResearchfish by 1 December 2016. The majority of our awardsreport through Researchfish in either May or December. If you're due to report in December, you will receive an email to let you know. We recognise that new awards may have little to report, but please complete your update as fully as possible.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 sections inResearchfish and complete all those for which you have outputs to reportremember to update the&lsq...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 7, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Government must do more to support people with arthritis to work
The Government has launched a new consultation yesterday (31 October 2016) looking at the employment, health and welfare support available for people with disabilities and long-term conditions such as arthritis.The Government'sWork, health and disability Green Paper includes plans, questions and ideas on a range of issues including:the future of employment support programmes for people with health conditionschanges to employment-related benefitsthe launch of a consultation on Work Capability Assessment reforma review of Statutory Sick Pay and GP fit notes to support workers back into their jobs faster, and for longerencour...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 1, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Action needed to halt the growing global impact of arthritis
Lower back andneck pain continue to be the leading cause of disability around the world and the impact ofosteoarthritis is increasing, with a new study revealing that more must be done to preventarthritis and support people with these painful, disabling conditions. Global burden of musculoskeletal conditions A new analysis of data produced by the Global Burden of Disease study has shown that over the last 25 years, lower back and neckpain have consistently been the leading cause of years lived with disability (YLD) globally, with the impact of other musculoskeletal conditions also increasing. For example, osteoarthritis ha...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 31, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Design Council Spark 2017: Call for Applications
Applications are now being invited for Design Council Spark 2017, a funding and support programme to help UK-based inventors turn their idea into a commercial product. Following thesuccess of the 2016 partnership, we will join Design Council in supporting the 2017 programme.
This partnership aims to support the development of assistive products that help people living with arthritis to live well and for those products to offer additional therapeutic benefit. This will ultimately help people with arthritis be as independent and in control as possible.
For example, the award that we were involved in funding last year went to...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 27, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Stacking the odds towards a cure - webinar 30th November 2016
Stacking the odds towards a cure - webinar 30th November 2016We are determined to make a difference to the lives of people with arthritis and to help us do this we are launching an exciting new challenge to the research community– help us stack the odds towards a cure.Webinar and live Q&AWe will be launching this exciting new call with a webinar, which will be held from 14.00 on the launch day, Wednesday 30 November 2016.
This live webinar will provide further information on the call and will include a live Q and A session to allow attendees to ask additional questions they may have.
There will be limi...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 26, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Hip replacements 'do not necessarily lead to increased physical activity'
People who undergohip replacement surgery as a means of treating conditions such asosteoarthritis may not necessarily experience an improved level of physical activity after their operation. This is the conclusion of a new study from the University of East Anglia, which carried out a systematic review with the specific aim of examining the differences in physical activity before and after hip replacement surgery. It suggests more may need to be done to encourage patients to get active. No evidence to support inherent physical activity benefits of surgery The study, published in the medical journal Clinical Rehabilitation, ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 24, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Government "action, not words" needed to push back limits of arthritis
A Health Minister has told a parliamentary debate that arthritis is a "priority" for the Government.Speaking at thefirst parliamentary debate on arthritis in over five years, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health David Mowat MP said that it was now "about action, not words" to push back the limits of arthritis for the 10 million people living with the condition in the UK today.The parliamentary debate, led by the Strangford MP Jim Shannon, highlighted Arthritis Research UK’sShare Your Everyday campaign, and the pain, isolation and fatigue that millions of people with arthritis live with every day."Com...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 23, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Nose cartilage used to carry out successful knee repairs
Nose cartilage has been successfully used as a means of repairing injured knees for the first time. A team from the University of Basel has utilised this cutting-edge technique to treat a group of ten patients, with the positive outcomes they have enjoyed demonstrating the benefits this method could provide for knee surgery patients in future. How the technique works As described in The Lancet, this new method works by harvesting cartilage cells from individual patients' nasal septums, or the wall down the middle of the nose. These cells have the unique capacity to grow and form new cartilage tissue. A small sample of ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 20, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
High cholesterol 'may play a role in onset of osteoarthritis'
This study highlights a brand new angle from which to consider how the development of osteoarthritis occurs. Most research of high cholesterol levels in the past has focused on arterial disease and other heart conditions, but this new insight indicates that cholesterol can also impact joint health. Moreover, the research has provided proof-of-concept evidence to indicate that antioxidant therapies can help to reverse this process, meaning they could hold promise as a means of treating osteoarthritis in future. Dr Indira Prasadam, a researcher involved in the work at Queensland University of Technology, said:"Our team ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - October 20, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
