Our research

Arthritis UK's research strategy is driven by the needs of people with arthritis. That’s why it focusses on research with the greatest potential to improve the quality of life – translational research. Research that turns observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that directly improve the health of people living with arthritis.

A quick and accurate diagnosis is essential for people with arthritis - and so are personalised treatments that tackle arthritis before it does too much damage to the joints or other parts of the body. Our understanding of root causes and risk factors is growing. Explore our live research projects that are answering key research questions.

Our research has helped us to make life-changing breakthroughs and improve the lives of millions of people with arthritis. Together, we've achieved so much, including funding centres of excellence.

Our research funded clinical trial that provided a new treatment option for uveitis and had a major impact on how young people with arthritis receive care. Together we've achieved so much, but there is still more to do. Find out more about our research breakthroughs.

Research funded by Arthritis UK led to the development of a new class of drugs, known as biologics, which have transformed the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and improved the lives of almost 2 million people worldwide. Biologic drugs, such as anti-TNF, trigger cells in the immune system called T cells to stop causing inflammation. 

It’s 25 years since the first biologic anti-TNF drugs were approved and they have transformed inflammatory arthritis care. They are the result of years of painstaking research, trials and tests funded by Arthritis UK and The Kennedy Trust. 

Arthritis pain can have a severe impact on daily life, and current painkillers are often ineffective or cause unwanted side effects. One way to develop better treatments is to target the specific nerves responsible for joint pain. 

Arthritis UK research centres of excellence bring together leading scientists, clinicians, engineers and healthcare professionals from universities, hospitals and research institutions across the UK to tackle some of the biggest challenges in arthritis and musculoskeletal health.

Plan B is a groundbreaking plan to target the B cells responsible for so much arthritis pain. Listen on Spotify to these inspiring researchers, Professor Claudia Mauri, Professor David Isenberg and Dr Elizabeth Rosser, talk about their vital work.

People like you with lived experience of arthritis are key to bringing real life perspectives to help shape arthritis research. When you get involved in our research, you'll work in all our activities to ensure that the research we fund and support is of the highest quality and based on the needs of people with arthritis.

After losing mobility in her legs, young mum, Ayo, was hospitalised in 2009 and needed oxygen to help her to breathe before being diagnosed with lupus. Since becoming a research partner, she supports the research team by reviewing applications for funding. 

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