£3m SOLVE consortium study launched to investigate different types of osteoarthritis

22 May 2026

Pioneering study sets out to answer why osteoarthritis impacts patients differently  

10 million people in the UK live with osteoarthritis (OA), yet people experience the condition in different ways that many clinical tests fail to capture.  

The SOLVE consortium (Stratification of Osteoarthritis to Promote Living Well and Treatment Effectiveness), led by the University of Leeds and Keele University and enabled by £3m funding from Arthritis UK, aims to understand why the current ‘one size fits all’ approach to OA is not working.   

Researchers across the UK will join forces in this groundbreaking study to find out how biological factors, social factors and life events influence the condition.  

Current treatment plans rarely consider lifestyle factors, menopause, or joint injury, which can impact disease severity. In most cases, this generalised approach will not be the most effective way to reduce the symptoms of pain, stiffness and swelling which have huge impacts on people’s everyday lives.  

SOLVE will focus on identifying different types (“subgroups”) of OA to better match treatments to individuals. This research will be guided by patient voices throughout all stages of research to drive tailored and improved patient outcomes. 

Zeyd Kateregga, patient partner on the SOLVE consortium said: 

“After my diagnosis, the exercises and pain relief I was given hadn't worked. Keyhole surgery helped, but 10 years later my symptoms worsened - I couldn't walk 20 minutes without being in lots of pain and taking strong pain killers. 

“OA has really impacted my life; I joined gym classes with other people who live with OA. They're aged between 18 and 80 and we all experience the condition in our own way.  

“I try to stay positive even though my experience with healthcare hasn't always been great. Knowing that SOLVE is taking a compassionate and informed approach to researching OA gives me hope that things are changing for the better.”  

SOLVE will gather a comprehensive understanding of OA by dividing research into four key areas: 

• Analyse the different subgroups of OA. Use advanced technology to study tissue samples and gain a better understanding of the different types of OA and how to treat them. 
• Study how life events impact OA. Research how menopause and joint injuries can increase the risk of OA.
• Identify risks of disease progression. Identify other health conditions which may results in faster OA progression and turn this into a tool to inform NHS healthcare professionals.  
• Study how social factors impact OA. Explore how income, education, or where somebody lives affects their ability to follow recommended exercise routines for those living with OA.

Lead researchers Professor Philip Conaghan, osteoarthritis researcher and rheumatologist, and Professor Melanie Holden, researcher in osteoarthritis rehabilitation and physiotherapist, said:  

"The new Arthritis UK Consortium, SOLVE, is an exciting programme that will, for the first time, bring together previously separate fields, data, and expertise to create the evidence needed to improve care and outcomes for people living with osteoarthritis. 

“By putting people with lived experience at the heart of the consortium and collaborating with implementation scientists from the start, we will ensure our findings are relevant and actionable.” 

Arthritis UK is the world’s largest dedicated funder of arthritis research, having invested £367m over the past 20 years into projects dedicated to supporting their vision of a future free from arthritis. Part of the charity’s drive is to harness ‘team science’ to better understand the causes and risk factors of arthritis and improve treatment options. 

Professor Lucy Donaldson, Director of Research at Arthritis UK, said: 

“We are proud to fund research that is operating at the forefront of medical advancements, that listens to patient voices and is committed to improving the very limited number of treatment options available.  

“SOLVE will not only improve outcomes for those who face daily challenges from managing a complex and often-debilitating condition, but also improve knowledge amongst healthcare professionals, and inform on wider Government MSK policy, truly driving positive change.” 

The consortium will bring together leading researchers from the universities of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, Keele, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford and Southampton, alongside healthcare professionals and people with lived experience.   

Research will commence in May 2026.  

About Arthritis UK

Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support. 

Over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis. That’s one in six of us living with the pain, fatigue, disability, mental and financial strain it can cause. Many more live with arthritis but remain undiagnosed, untreated and unsupported. 

We know the impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently. Yet for a condition affecting so many, it’s poorly understood and far too little is done. That’s why we invest in life-changing research into better treatments, support people through the daily challenges of life with arthritis, and campaign on the issues that matter most to people living with it. 

At Arthritis UK, we won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access to treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope for a cure in the future. Find out more at: www.arthritis-uk.org  

Arthritis UK. For a future free from arthritis.