Category: Research

New research call: Accelerating diagnosis and treatment

Versus Arthritis wants to bring about more accurate and faster diagnosis and more timely, effective and targeted treatments, tailored to individuals, taking into consideration not just their genes but also the environment they live in.

The Better Lives Today, Better Lives Tomorrow research strategy 2022-2026 focuses Versus Arthritis investment and influence on four priority areas over the next four years. It is striving to bring ground-breaking scientific discoveries to people with arthritis at pace and with precision. 

This call for applications for research funding centres on two priority areas: 

  • Early detection and prevention: spotting the biological signatures of arthritis early to maximise the opportunities for timely intervention and preventing it from getting worse. 
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New research call: Fatigue

Versus Arthritis has partnered with the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research to increase the evidence around fatigue in musculoskeletal conditions.

Versus Arthritis is seeking applications for a scoping review on ways to measure, assess and treat the chronic fatigue associated with musculoskeletal conditions. This can include:

  • the amount of evidence in each area
  • the quality of evidence available
  • where there are substantial gaps in current knowledge
  • the needs of people living with chronic fatigue
  • future research priorities based on the information gathered

Reviews should include scientific and clinical evidence, as well as meaningful inclusion of the needs of people living with chronic fatigue.…

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Ostrich flat feet research

When it comes to pain, what’s right for children’s feet?

People can hold strong beliefs on children’s foot health: from what is worn on the feet, to the use of orthoses. It all comes from a good place and wanting the best for children and young people. 

The most common scenario clinicians encounter is symptomatic flat feet. Despite beliefs, we are not sure what the best intervention for symptomatic flat feet is. This is challenging for clinicians when selecting best care and the offering advice to care givers.…

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BMI restrictions on surgery worsen health inequalities

Researchers have found a drop in the number of knee replacement operations carried out in regions of England with restrictions on surgery for overweight patients, with people in more deprived areas worst affected.

The research team from the University of Bristol found that patients needing surgery but who are unable to lose weight are being denied surgery that could ease pain and increase mobility. By looking at patients’ postcodes, the researchers could see that people from more deprived areas appeared more likely to be denied surgery.…

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NRAS Stress Matters survey

At the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), research helps develop and deliver services to best meet the needs of all those living with inflammatory arthritis. NRAS is planning to develop resources with practical information about managing stress levels. The ‘Stress Matters’ project is an NRAS initiative that aims to develop a better understanding on the topic and develop appropriate resources for people living with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

To kick off the project NRAS has developed a survey to gather your lived experiences of how stress impacts your arthritis as well as your insights into what sort of support, if any, you’ve found or have been offered, that helps.…

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PERFORM Service Provider Advisory Group

Opportunity for involvement in research

The PERFORM research programme is looking at ways to support people with two or more long-term conditions to improve their quality of life. The first part of the study involves working with patients and with service providers to develop a novel multimorbidity exercise-based rehabilitation programme.

To help them develop a programme of support, the researchers want to form a Service Provider Advisory Group consisting of service providers who deliver or manage services for people with long-term conditions.…

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AI in Orthopaedics conference

AI in Orthopaedics, 27 September 2022, London

Orthopaedic Research UK are organising the first national conference dedicated to the role of AI within orthopaedics.

It’s designed to cut through the hype and focus on practical ways in which AI, underpinned by Big Data, can be used to benefit patients and the NHS. Speakers will include senior clinicians, researchers and technologists actively involved in AI projects within orthopaedics, plus NHS leaders and policy makers and include George Freeman (MP) and Ming Tan (NHSE).…

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Arthritis: the impact on daily life

Arthritis Action launches report on working aged people with arthritis

Arthritis Action has launched new research with YouGov to explore the experiences of people of working age in Great Britain who live with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. YouGov carried out an online survey of 2,120 people aged 25 to 65 living with the conditions, comparing the results to a similar survey conducted by YouGov (for Arthritis Action), in 2018 to see how their situations have changed since the pandemic.

The results gave a good picture of people’s concerns, the impact of arthritis on their daily lives, and how they felt they could be helped further by employers and support services.…

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Primary and community MSK metrics

The BestMSK Health programme has collaboratively codeveloped, with stakeholders and lived experience partners, draft high-level metrics to support the measurement of primary and community MSK service delivery.

MSK professionals, analysts, leads/managers, commissioners or anyone working in the improvement of MSK services are encouraged to provide their feedback on these recommendations through a quick online survey, which is now open.

Feedback is welcomed from MSK professionals, analysts, MSK leads and managers, commissioners, MSK lived experience partners and anyone who is involved in system-wide transformation and improvement of MSK services.…

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Charity collaborative on mental health support in paediatric rheumatology

A group of JIA charities (CCAA, Juvenile Arthritis Research, JIA@NRAS, SNAC and Versus Arthritis), working collaboratively with the British Society for Rheumatology, is investigating access to mental health provision and support within paediatric rheumatology. 

In February 2022 CCAA sent out a survey to families which ran for three weeks and received just over 300 responses. The plan is to use the information gathered to help campaign for better services for children, young people and their families. CCAA is incredibly grateful to all those families who took time to respond and to share their experiences.…

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