St Albans doctors in leading rheumatoid arthritis study
DOCTORS in St Albans are playing a major role in developing better care and treatment of patients with the crippling condition of rheumatoid arthritis, which affects around 600,000 people in the UK.
St Albans City Hospital is the co-ordinating centre for a major ten-year study of early rheumatoid arthritis looking at waiting times for joint replacements, employment prospects for patients, and success rates of drug therapies.
The Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS) has been funded by leading medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign for the past three years. The charity is highlighting the work during its Research Week (June 5-12), aimed at raising awareness of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
RA is an inflammatory disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the joints, leading to pain, stiffness and intense fatigue.
The Arthritis Research Campaign is spearheading a major research initiative into RA by currently pumping more than £6m into research centres throughout the UK. The outlook for patients is improving dramatically as better and more effective treatments are constantly developed.
"The ERAS was set up in 1988 in nine rheumatology departments to measure the progress of the disease, develop predictive features in order to forecast the course of RA, and compare regional variations in treatments, orthopaedic services, and facilities for loss of work," explained consultant Dr Adam Young.
"Previously, no studies have been performed to record the progress and treatment of RA from very early stages over many years in all patients in a standard manner in different regions of England."
Published results from the study could play a significant role in improving the care of RA patients in the future. Results of a study comparing patients' waiting times for joint surgery around the country could help in setting acceptable and achievable waiting time targets for rheumatology and orthopaedic units.
Other data reveals that more than half of early RA patients in paid employment had to give up work within five years. "This highlights the importance of developing support strategies for this group of patients," added Dr Young.
Results of the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study will be presented at a major European conference in Glasgow in June.
