Patients | ARMA

The Scottish Report from NRAS

The Scottish Report: Improving Care for People Living with Inflammatory Conditions

The new Scotland‑wide survey by NRAS, The Scottish Report, has revealed significant challenges faced by people living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis. These are long‑term, often invisible conditions that can affect joints, organs, skin and the bowel, and impact around one in ten people.

The Scottish Report is based on the results of the NRAS survey carried out in Autumn 2025, with over 1,250 respondents from across Scotland.…

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Aftercare following steroid injection – patient info

This easy‑read, high‑quality Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) has been developed to support both patients and clinicians following musculoskeletal corticosteroid injection (CSI) in clinical settings. Providing patients with clear, consistent aftercare advice following CSI is recognised as best recommended practice and should form part of standard care.

Key features:

EASY-READ- Written for a reading age of 11. This leaflet ensures clarity and promotes accessibility to patients with varying literacy. Empower patients with better understanding and adherence to treatment plan and onward rehabilitation.

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HIPPOCRATES Prospective Observational Study

Help the Psoriasis Association recruit for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) study

A new study looking at the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is looking for volunteers to take part – all from the comfort of their own home.

The HIPPOCRATES Prospective Observational Study (HPOS), led by the University of Oxford in collaboration with University College Dublin, is part of a wider research project investigating psoriatic arthritis across Europe.

Participants with psoriasis will be monitored over a three-year period to see who develops PsA.…

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Time to give all patients with RA the ‘Right Start’

25 June 2026, 12-1pm
Webinar

The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is encouraging healthcare professionals across the UK to refer patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to its Right Start programme, a free support service designed to help people understand and manage their condition from the earliest stages to those who have lived with RA for a long time.

NRAS will host a dedicated webinar on 25 June, led by Healthcare Engagement Manager Sarah Parsons, to guide clinicians through the referral process and highlight the benefits patients receive.…

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Denied by BMI: How ICB policies are failing patients with arthritis

Guest Blog by Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK

Across England, people with arthritis are being left to wait in pain for joint replacement surgery that could transform their lives. Almost a fifth of ICBs are ignoring NICE guidelines and rationing surgeries based on a single arbitrary threshold, a patient’s BMI. Moreover, a further 54.7% have policies that restrict or alter access to surgery in some other way for those who are overweight or have obesity. Joint replacement surgery is not a lifestyle choice; it’s the bridge from living in constant pain to regaining independence.…

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Knee OA report from Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber

This report provides patient-led insights into the lived experience of knee osteoarthritis (OA) across the Yorkshire and Humber region. It explores how OA affects quality of life, mental health, and access to treatment, particularly within the NHS musculoskeletal (MSK) care pathway.

Through in-depth interviews with patients at various stages of the total knee replacement (TKR) journey, five key themes emerged:

Impact on daily life and independence
Emotional and psychological burden
Frustrations with the NHS care pathway
Hesitancy and barriers around TKR surgery
Interest in and limited awareness of AposHealth®, a medical shoe, as a non-surgical alternative.

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Online axial SpA introductory session

Do you support people in England newly diagnosed with axial SpA (including AS)?

Introduction to axial SpA is an online session for people recently diagnosed with axial SpA in England.

Help your patients get to grips with their condition by directing them to a free online session on 26 March 2026, designed by NASS specifically for people in the first three years post-diagnosis. As part of booking, attendees will receive bespoke support from the NASS Helpline team.

Find out more here. …

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New RA & Menopause booklet

On International Women’s Day March 8^th 2026, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) launched a new Rheumatoid Arthritis & Menopause booklet, which will be available to download or order in print free of charge. The resource addresses a long‑standing gap in support for women managing both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the menopause—two conditions that can overlap in complex and often confusing ways.

The booklet follows a 2024 NRAS study exploring women’s experiences of RA during menopause. The findings revealed a striking lack of clinical discussion: 93% of respondents said no healthcare professional had ever raised the topic with them.…

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NRAS cardiovascular risk modules

The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has introduced three new cardiovascular risk management modules to its SMILE‑RA e‑learning programme this February.

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—around 1.5 times that of the general population—yet screening and management of these risks remain inconsistent across the UK.

Although guidelines such as NICE NG100 highlight the importance of regular cardiovascular checks for people with RA, many individuals still have undiagnosed or poorly managed risk factors. International audits show this is a widespread issue, regardless of healthcare system, and contributes to the persistently elevated CVD risk seen in RA.…

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NRAS JoinTogether group meeting

For many people, attending a local group in person may not be possible. But with the NRAS JoinTogether digital groups, you can connect online with others who have similar interests and lifestyles. All groups are run by volunteers.

Menopause with IA

A supportive space for women navigating Menopause and Inflammatory Arthritis: this group offers a welcoming, safe space for women to connect, share, and feel heard throughout every stage of menopause—from perimenopause to post-menopause—while also managing life with Inflammatory Arthritis. The meetings will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss practical tips for symptom management, as well as hear expert advice from guest speakers who understand the unique challenges of this journey.…

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