Arthritis News | ARMA

CCAA UCL Blood research video

Ever wondered what happens to your blood when you give it for research?

Children and young people living with paediatric rheumatology conditions told us they wanted to know more about what happens to blood samples donated for research. CCAA – Kids With Arthritis worked with a young person living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and the team at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health to show step-by-step how a blood sample is handled and stored in the laboratories.

By sharing this video, CCAA hopes to help patients and their families feel more informed about what happens when they donate blood samples for research.…

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ORUK invests in medical technology research

Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) has announced a £100,000 investment in VerIQ Limited, a UK-based MedTech clinical research accelerator, through a convertible loan agreement. The investment will help advance VerIQ’s mission to transform how medical device and health technology research is delivered; ensuring that exciting new innovations reach our patients faster, with uncompromising scientific integrity.

This strategic partnership reinforces ORUK’s commitment to improve musculoskeletal health and patient outcomes. The funding will enable VerIQ to expand its nationwide network of orthopaedic and MedTech clinical research sites, focusing initially on improved treatment for improved musculoskeletal health.…

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PAE Pain Relief Patient study

Pain Alliance Europe is pleased to share an invitation to take part in the QSPainRelief-patientPREF study, an important initiative seeking to better understand the real-life experiences and preferences of people living with chronic pain, with the aim of contributing to improved future treatment options.

Participation in the questionnaire is entirely voluntary, all data are fully anonymised, and once the questionnaire is completed and analysed, the results will be shared with participating patients in an accessible and transparent way.

In this first questionnaire, you will be asked to:

Provide your informed consent to participate
Answer a few questions to confirm that you meet the study’s inclusion criteria
Share some basic identifying information

The questionnaire can be found here.…

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APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health

All-Party Parliamentary Group publishes report on osteoporosis

The APPG on Osteoporosis and Bone Health has published Seen, Heard, Supported: Transforming Osteoporosis Care. Drawing on survey data from over 3,300 patients, the report found more than half of people with osteoporosis had no NHS contact about their condition in the past year. It highlights fragmented pathways, weak long-term condition management, and stark inequalities, and calls for national audit of the entire patient pathway, comprehensive local pathways, and bone health questions to be added to the NHS Health Check.…

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Check out CAT Podcast No. 2

The Cornwall Arthritis Trust is thrilled to be partnering again with Sally Crabtree from Art Connexion to share this, their second podcast episode.

Tune in for inspiring interviews with leading voices—including Professor Tony Woolf and Rachel Faulkner, plus practical tips and empowering advice for anyone living with Arthritis or other MSK conditions.

Whether you’re looking for expert insights or just a bit of motivation, this podcast is for you.

Please take a listen here.

Preparing for the festive season

We know that December can be a busy and stressful month, especially when you have a long-term condition.

NRAS has therefore added a new section to their website, which features lots of tips to help you through the festive season and into the new year.

Find it here.

Academic Survey: Massage Therapy for Chronic MSK Pain

Researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands invite people to take a survey as part of a research study about how people living with chronic MSK to share their views on massage therapy as a form of pain management.

The survey is open until 31^st January 2026.

You can access the survey here.

New NRAS Strategy 2025-2029

NRAS is excited to present their new organisational strategy for 2025-2029. This plan sets out how they will achieve their priorities over the next three years, how they will address the significant challenges facing the nearly half a million people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in the UK, and how they will protect the future of the organisation.

NRAS is determined to help create a future where everyone with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis can thrive.

NASS survey for people with axial SpA

NASS is looking to create resources to support people with axial SpA to be more physically active. To understand the issues our community face and co-produce the solutions, we’d love to hear from your patients. You can invite patients to take part by:

Completing an online survey via this link;
If they live in Norfolk, by joining a small group discussion or chatting one-to-one.

If you have any questions or would like to be more involved, please email zoe@nass.co.uk

Join the JIA Champions Forum with CCAA

Make your lived experience count — join the JIA Champions Forum!

The CCAA is looking for passionate individuals over the age of 18 who have lived experience of JIA or JIA-uveitis (either as a patient or a parent/carer) to become JIA Champions.

As a JIA Champion, you will be part of a national forum of advocates, advisors, and ambassadors. Together, we will:

🔹 Contribute to shaping JIA research priorities and design
🔹 Ensure the patient and family voice is at the heart of policy and communications
🔹 Collaborate with researchers, charities, and professional bodies
🔹 Raise awareness and champion equity in care across the UK

This role is reimbursed in line with NIHR guidance.…

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