Research | ARMA

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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Gloucestershire Cryotherapy trial following knee surgery

Recovery from knee replacement surgery can be delayed by pain and swelling caused by the operation. Encouraging range of movement and mobilisation as soon as possible after surgery is part of the ‘Enhanced Recovery after Surgery’ pathway at Cheltenham General Hospital.

Thanks to a grant from the Gloucestershire Arthritis Trust (GAT), and in partnership with PhysioLab Technologies who have designed an innovative cryotherapy system, Orthopaedic Surgeon Peter Kempshall will undertake a pilot study of 200 knee replacement patients to undergo cryotherapy postoperatively, starting in July.…

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University of Derby chronic pain study

Sukhjeen Kaur, a student researcher at the University of Derby is inviting people to take part in an online study which aims to investigate treatment adherence of people living with chronic pain. This will include studying two different populations: White-British and South Asian. Participants will need to be 18+, living with chronic pain for more than three months and identify as part of the White-British or South Asian community.

The researchers are conducting this study to understand the behavioural differences in cultural groups within the UK and if this impacts their attitudes towards chronic pain treatment.…

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What do patients value in healthcare services?

NASS is working on a piece of research with Headstrong Thinking. They want to know what people value in their health services, from the time they first visit a health professional with symptoms of axial SpA, to long term management of their condition.

NASS wants to reach as many people as possible at every point of their journey. If you are treating someone with, or that you suspect might have axial SpA, please do share the Patient Values Survey with them.