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Arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders
Arthritis is one of the biggest causes
of disability in the UK. It affects people of all ages, but
especially older people.
A recent MORI poll commissioned by the
Arthritis Research Campaign (arc)
found that 13 million people in the UK are currently affected by
arthritis and joint pain, although only about half of these people
discuss their condition with their GP.
There are more than 200 different types of
arthritis and related conditions. Osteoarthritis is the most
common type, which tends to affect people as they get older.
About half of people over 55 years of age will have
osteoarthritis.
In the most severe cases, people may
eventually require hip or knee replacements. Other common
musculoskeletal conditions are back pain and osteoporosis.
The arc fund a senior statistician based at
the MRC Clinical Trials Unit to work with rheumatologists and
orthopaedic surgeons to plan clinical trials and to apply for
funding to run these trials. If a trial is funded, the MRC
Clinical Trials Unit helps to manage the trial. We also
provide statistical support for the Institute of Musculoskeletal
Sciences at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
(RNOH) in Stanmore, North London. The RNOH fund a junior
statistician post at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit.
In the Video trial, funded by arc, we are collaborating with the
RNOH to test whether Vitamin D supplements can improve symptoms and
reduce the rate of disease progression in people with knee
osteoarthritis.
