Research into inflammatory arthritis (IA) has advanced significantly in the UK and globally. The introduction of biologic DMARDs in the late 1990s marked a major breakthrough, targeting specific parts of the immune system. More recently, JAK inhibitors have further expanded treatment options.
Alongside medical advances, care and management strategies have also evolved, emphasising movement over rest during flares to help maintain joint mobility and strength.
Despite this progress, many questions remain, such as why treatments work well for some but not others. Continued research is essential, and the voices of those with lived experience must be central to shaping the future of IA care.
This is where Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) plays a key role. PPIE means working with patients, carers, families, and the public as active partners in research, helping to shape priorities, improve relevance, and ensure that findings truly reflect real-life experiences.
One of our charity’s core aims is to promote best practice in PPIE and help ensure that research findings are accessible and relevant. Scroll down to find out how you can get involved, it’s not just clinical trials that can change lives.
We are delighted to be working with researchers who are requiring the voices of those affected by inflammatory arthritis.
Dr Polly Livermore and the Impact study are working on a chatbot to help support parents. This is great initiative and please do help if you can.
Are you parent of a child or young person with a paediatric rheumatological condition? Do you often have questions you don’t have the answers to? Would you like to try out our new tech aide to bring you the answers you need from rheumatology professionals – day or night? If so, please visit www.theimpactstudy.co.uk and sign up to be first to try out our intervention. Any paediatric rheumatology condition, any age, any location in the UK. Hurry though, we are looking for users for the end of this month
Here are a selection of published research papers from a variety of trusted sources:
UK Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Biologics register here
UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Biologics Register here
UK Psoriatic Arthritis Register here
UK Ankylosing Spondylitis Register here
Cluster Consortium Research Findings here
National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit here
Charity Collaboration the current mental health status of children and young people with JIA, and their wider family here
Your questions answered
PPIE is the active involvement of patients, but also carers/families and members of the public, in shaping and being a part research. Examples could be:
It is vital that people with lived experience either as a patient or carer/family member are involved in research as it makes the research more relevant, improves recruitment and retention in studies, ensures that outcomes and the impact reflect real patient priorities and can build public trust in science and healthcare. You may be asked to take part in research studies when attending your appointments with your healthcare team i.e.
There are many other ways you can be involved in research:
Speak to your rheumatology team as they will be able to let you know what research studies are recruiting and whether you are eligible.
You can also see our above on this page for latest research opportunities
Every research project follows its own protocol, but all must comply with GDPR and data protection regulations. If you have any questions, we encourage you to speak directly with the research team about how your personal information will be handled and kept safe.
We aim to support research that helps improve the lives of anyone of any age living with IA. If your project aligns with our vision and mission, please do get in touch, email info@inflammatoryarthritis.org
contact us
We would love to speak with you! Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Inflammatory Arthritis UK is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1211390.
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