North-east researchers have embarked upon a major study to find new and more effective treatments for painful and debilitating psoriatic arthritis.
Around 120,000 people in the UK have the condition which causes inflamed, staff and painful joints.
In some cases, these can become permanently damaged or deformed and may lead to surgery.
Scientists at Aberdeen University have now launched a five-year study to see if specific, targeted drugs can make a difference.
While there are fears that altering parts of someone’s immune system could expose people to greater risks of infection, the British Society for Rheumatology Psoriatic Arthritis Register will prove whether or not this is the case.
The researchers are hoping to recruit 1,500 patients from 80 hospital centres across the UK.
Dr Gareth Jones, reader of epidemiology at Aberdeen University, said: “The combination of arthritis and psoriasis can greatly reduce an individual’s quality of life, and can affect all aspects of their life including their mental health and their work.
“These drugs have proven to be hugely beneficial in treating rheumatoid arthritis so there is great interest in being able to study their benefits in psoriatic arthritis.
“Studies like this are absolutely essential to get ‘real world’ data on the effects and effectiveness of these new drugs in comparison to traditional treatments.
“We will follow up with patients regularly to check on their progress.
“A long-term approach to this study is required to make sure we are getting a full picture of what happens over a long period of time and to be able to document the benefits and any unwanted side-effects”
To contact the research team, email bsr-psa@abdn.ac.uk
