Overweight rheumatoid arthritis patients 'less likely to achieve remission'
This study may point to other factors such as weight, also playing a role in the effectiveness of early treatment. "We advise that people with arthritis speak to their GP about theirdiet and we have lots of information on our website about diet andexercise to help people maintain a healthy weight." (Source: Arthritis Research UK)
Source: Arthritis Research UK - December 21, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Influencing for people with arthritis in 2017
We know that arthritis can impact on all parts of a person’s life, and as a result our policy, campaigns and public affairs team have had a busy year. Working across health, work, benefits, social care, and many more areas, there have been lots of positive developments to reflect on in 2017, but there are also some big challenges ahead.A huge thanks to everyone who has supported our work across 2017. Your emails to decision makers, survey responses, petition signatures and the stories you’ve shared with us, have made our work hugely powerful and helped us create an impact.Here’s a rundown of our top 5 hig...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - December 21, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Raising awareness of arthritis in Scotland
On Tuesday 5th December, Arthritis Research UK held our first Scottish parliamentary reception in Holyrood as a newly merged charity to highlight the prevalence and impact of arthritis in Scotland. Kindly sponsored by Rona MacKay MSP, the event was attended by 8 of Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who came to find out about how arthritis can affect people with musculoskeletal conditions.MSPs spoke to people living with arthritis, tried our gloves which simulate the mobility restrictions arthritis can cause, as well as received exclusive data on how many people in their local area may have certain forms of arthritis.Ca...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - December 7, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Government announces response on the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper
On 30 November 2017 the Government announced its plans to support people with disability and long term health conditions to be in work. It pledged to see 1 million more disabled people in work over the next ten years. Proposals for change focused on three key areas: the welfare system; workplaces and the healthcare system.We know that work matters to many people with arthritis, helping them remain independent, giving a sense of control, and improving quality of life.This time last year, the Government acknowledged that things needed to improve. To start this process they said they wanted to hear opinions on how people with...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 30, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
How will the Budget 2017 affect people with arthritis?
On 22nd November, the Chancellor Phillip Hammond, announced the Government’s plans for taxation and spending. Our policy, public affairs and campaigns teams have been working hard to increase the Government’s investment into services that will benefit people with arthritis, as well as trying to protect budgets which are at risk of reduction.If you are affected by arthritis, here are the top four topics you need to know about.Science and research– industrial strategyTo meet our ambition of finding new treatments, and eventually a cure, for arthritis, it’s essential that money is invested in the life ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 27, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Juliette and Kirran explain what working on our campaign has meant to them
Arthritis Research UK’sThe Nation’s Joint Problem campaign has reached millions of people over the last three months, through national news stories and features and TV, cinema and billboard advertising. We asked two people who helped to shape the campaign content about their experience of being part of our ground-breaking push to change attitudes to arthritis.JulietteJournalist and author ofMostly Cloudy, Some Bright Spells Juliette Wills, 45, has lived with inflammatory spinal arthritis for 18 years. She wrote thesix powerful stories featured in The Guardian which exposed the hidden impact of arthritis, as wel...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 24, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
We ’ve joined forces with Arthritis Care to do more for people with arthritis
Arthritis Research UK and Arthritis Care have a shared ambition to support people with arthritis to live full and active lives. That’s why from 1 November 2017 we've joined forces. We’re working together, sharing our expertise and combining our strengths to become a single charity committed to having an even bigger positive impact on the over 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis.Together our two organisations have decades of expertise and experience – in science and research, in campaigning, in providing information, advice and support and creating online and face to face networks for pe...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 24, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Top arthritis and cancer scientists work together on ideas which could lead to new treatments
A collaboration between Arthritis Research UK and Cancer Research UK is bringing together leading research scientists specialising in inflammatory arthritis and cancer to share expertise and explore ideas which could lead to exciting new treatments for both diseases.The body’s immune system plays a vital role in the development of both inflammatory arthritis and cancer. In cancer the immune system is underactive, failing to attack unhealthy cells which leads to the growth of tumours. While in rheumatoid arthritis the immune system becomes overactive, attacking healthy cells by mistake causing inflammation and pa...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 24, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
New report says PIP process 'not fit for purpose'
The problems experienced by many people with arthritis when trying to access Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are highlighted inSupporting Those Who Need It Most?, a hard-hitting report from the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC)– a group of more than 80 national organisations, including Arthritis Research UK.PIP is a source of financial support designed to help people manage the extra costs they may face when living with a disability or long-term condition. It provides a lifeline to many people with arthritis. However, this new report exposes a PIP system not fit for purpose in its current form, with many des...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 24, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Innovative design tackles everyday challenges
When you’re dealing with the big problems of living with arthritis, like pain, stiffness and inflamed joints, the last thing you need is lots more smaller problems that can make life even more difficult. Those everyday struggles to open a jar, lock a front door, get out of the bath or lift a kettle can sometimes feel like the last straw. So, for the second year running, we’ve teamed up with the Design Council to find and fund the best and brightest design ideas hoping to make everyday life better for people with arthritis.Once again Arthritis Research UK supported a category at the annual Spark Awards inviting ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 24, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
Can symptom tracking apps help people manage their arthritis?
With smartphones now an integral part of our lives, and free apps readily available to help us track and manage everything from our money and social lives to diet and exercise, it’s vital we invest in research exploring how technology can help to improve treatment and care for people with arthritis of all ages.Two pilot studies, both supported by funding from Arthritis Research UK, have worked closely with people with inflammatory arthritis to design, develop and test apps to help with symptom tracking and monitoring. Positive feedback from patients suggests apps have potential to help people with arthritis to better...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - November 24, 2017 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news
