New research funded to help diagnose and treat arthritis effectively

A quick and accurate diagnosis is essential for people with arthritis - and so are personalised treatments that tackle both the symptoms and causes of arthritis. We know that the longer arthritis is left untreated, the worse symptoms and quality of life can be.  

That is why we invest in research that aims to improve the early detection of arthritis and to discover new targeted treatments.

How are we helping to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis? 

We have recently awarded over £2M to researchers aiming to make the new discoveries that will improve the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and related conditions. 

Read below to learn more about these new research projects.  

1. Improving the early detection of osteoarthritis 

Current treatments for osteoarthritis mainly focus on managing symptoms, and there are currently no effective ways to detect osteoarthritis in its earliest stages. 

Researchers believe that harmful molecules called reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) may play an important role in the development and progression of osteoarthritis.  

Professor Katherine Staines and team at the University of Brighton have developed a new sensor that can detect these molecules in real time. The research team will adapt the sensor for use in joints and test its capacity and sensitivity to detect ROS/RNS in models of osteoarthritis in the lab.  

In the future, this technology could help detect osteoarthritis earlier and help monitor disease progression more accurately. 

2. Spotting the early signs of tendon injury  

Tendinopathies (conditions that affect tendons and cause pain and swelling) are common in both inactive and active individuals. They can cause long-lasting pain and loss of function. 

Current diagnosis methods for tendon injuries such as physical examinations and imaging are not sensitive enough to detect the early signs of damage. We know that detecting tendon damage early is vital to managing tendinopathies.  

Dr Chavaunne Thorpe aims to improve diagnostic methods by examining the blood supply and identifying biomarkers associated with diseased conditions. 

By uncovering the role of these biomarkers in disease progression, we can better understand tendon health and spot the early signs of tendinopathies 

3. Learning from flares in RA 

Dr Amy Anderson and team at Newcastle University are trying to solve a major problem in RA- that we still cannot reliably predict who will develop the disease or which treatments will work best for different people.  

Current treatments can take months to work and may cause serious side effects. To tackle this, the researchers are studying a set of “biomarkers” or biological signs in the blood, that they previously found predict flare-ups in people with RA.  

They want to see if these same biological signs can also identify those at risk of developing RA, and in individuals who are subsequently diagnosed their response to treatment.  

In the future these biomarkers could potentially help doctors identify people at risk of RA earlier and help them start the right treatment sooner. This could reduce unnecessary side effects and prevent their RA from progressing.   

4. Identifying people at risk of RA 

Some people are considered at high risk of RA because they have joint pain and certain antibodies in their blood.  

Researchers previously led the APIPPRA trial, which found that the medicine Abatacept could delay the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in these individuals. 

Using blood samples collected during the APIPPRA study, Professor Andrew Cope and team at King’s College London have now developed a promising new blood test that looks at changes in DNA structure, known as chromatin conformation signatures (CCS). They identified a group of CCS markers that could accurately predict which people later developed rheumatoid arthritis. 

This study will now use this blood test in larger groups of people at risk of RA. Separately, the researchers will also carry out interviews and surveys with people at risk and rheumatologists, to explore at what level of risk preventative treatment feels appropriate. If successful, this could help identify people most likely to develop RA and offer preventative treatment, while providing evidence that this type of test would be acceptable to those it was offered to.  

5. Developing a tool to help GPs refer people to rheumatologists 

Treating RA early leads to better outcomes, but many people visit their GP several times with joint pain before being referred to a specialist. 

The anti-CCP blood test can identify some people who are at high risk of developing RA before joint swelling begins. Research has shown that treating people at this early stage may help delay or prevent the disease. However, many GPs are unsure when to use the test or when to refer patients for specialist care. 

To help with this, Professor Heidi Siddle at the University of Leeds has developed a simple decision-making tool called IDEAS-PC. The tool helps GPs identify people with joint symptoms who may be at risk of RA and should be offered testing or referred to a specialist. 

This project will now work with rheumatologists, healthcare professionals and patients to improve the tool so it can be used more effectively across the NHS. The team will gather feedback through interviews, surveys and workshops to agree on the best way to manage people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

6. Shining a light on early arthritis 

Many people with arthritis wait a long time for a diagnosis, and it can take months to know whether a treatment is working. Doctors often rely on a ‘trial-and-error' approach when choosing treatments for arthritis.  

This project aims to change that by identifying the specific type of inflammation a person has before treatment begins, helping doctors identify the type of arthritis and choose the treatment most likely to work from the start. 

Dr Miguel Pineda at the University of Glasgow will be using a light-based technology called Raman spectroscopy. This technique uses lasers to detect chemical differences in cells and tissues to understand how the immune system behaves in a fast and non-invasive way.  

If successful, this research could lead to quicker diagnosis, more personalised treatments, and fewer unnecessary treatment changes for people living with arthritis.