Paediatric rheumatology
About The Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group
Paediatric rheumatology refers to the study of rheumatic diseases in children and young people. Rheumatic diseases include conditions that cause pain and swelling in joints, such as arthritis. In children and young people, the most common form of arthritis is known as Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
1 in every 1,000 young people in the UK has arthritis. Arthritis in young people can be complex. Its severity varies from one person to another, and symptoms can alter greatly from day to day. The experience of growing up with arthritis can have a negative impact on all aspects of a young person’s development, and too many don’t have access to the treatments, information and support they need.
Founded in 2007, the Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group aims to make real headway in the fight against arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, in children and young people by strengthening research in the field, identifying areas for development, and providing expert advice to help researchers produce high quality research proposals.
In 2022, the group published the results of their review of priority research areas identified by engaging with young people, researchers, and health care professionals.
Conditions covered
The Clinical Studies Group has seven Topic Specific Groups related to certain conditions. These are open research groups welcome to healthcare professionals, parents and young people with arthritis. For enquiries and joining details please email research@arthritis-uk.org.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)
- Bone
- Juvenile scleroderma
- Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE)
- Non-inflammatory MSK conditions
- Auto-inflammatory and vasculitis
Group Leads
Professor Paul Brogan - Group Lead
Professor Paul Brogan is Professor of Vasculitis at UCL and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
He leads a clinical service in vasculitis and rare autoinflammatory disease at GOSH, and a clinical academic research programme in the same conditions at University College London’s Institute of Child Health.
He is chief investigator of a number of current UK and European clinical trials and has additionally led successfully completed trials, including the MYPAN study funded by Arthritis UK.
Dr Kirsty McLellan - Group Lead
Dr Kirsty McLellan is a Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow.
Her areas of clinical and research expertise include autoinflammation, vasculitis, juvenile dermatomyositis, and Still’s disease.
Kirsty leads the Autoinflammation and Vasculitis TSG, and alongside others initiated an annual national symposium within autoinflammation. She is co-investigator on a number of clinical studies.
Group membership
Group membership includes parents, young people, and support service providers who provide the important perspective of people with arthritis (collectively known as the consumer group). The group also includes representatives of medical health care professionals, nurse and allied health professionals, paediatric rheumatology trainees, and of the national network BANNAR.
- Professor Paul Brogan (Co-chair), Professor of vasculitis at UCL and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology - Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Dr Kirsty McLellan (Co-chair), Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist - Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow
- Dr Josh Bennett. Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist - University Hospital Southampton
- Dr Alexander Chesover. Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and metabolic bone disorders - Great Ormond Street Hospital & Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
- Dr Samantha Cooray. Paediatric Rheumatology Trainee Representative - Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Mark Foster. Consumer group
- Dr Marilena Hadjittofi. Clinical Psychologist – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
- Dr Dan Hawley. Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatologist - Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundations Trust
- Dr Lianne Kearsley-Fleet. Epidemiologist - University of Manchester
- Dr Rebecca Lee. Qualitative researcher in pain - University of Manchester
- Dr Hanna Lythgoe. Paediatric Rheumatology Consultant, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
- Rachael McCormack. Consumer group
- Dr Flora McErlane. Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology - The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Charalampia Papadopoulou. Paediatric Rheumatology Consultant - Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Stephanie Parker. Consumer group
- Christina Pringle. Consumer group
- Dr Ethan Sen. Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology - Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Heather Smee. Nurse Representative
- Dr Eve Smith. Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist - Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow
- Dr Kishore Warrier. Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist – Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Group meetings and events
The Group aims to meet monthly by teleconference and yearly at face-to-face meetings.
For further information please email awards@arthritis-uk.org.
Current research opportunities
Click here to find the most current Research opportunities for children and young people with MSK conditions.