Monthly Member Spotlight: Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health

Osteoarthritis not only affects millions of people in the United States, but it affects over 8 million people in the United Kingdom. At the University of Aberdeen, Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health (ACAMH), researchers understand the importance of arthritis and are working together to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. We are highlighting this member organization because they seek to promote world-class research which informs the provision of high-quality care for patients with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions in the North East of Scotland.

OAAA maintains a good relationship with ACAMH and continues to be impressed with their work. Walk With Ease is now being offered at their location in the UK, how exciting is that! We appreciate all they do to help people with OA.

An Interview with Kathryn Martin and Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health

Dr Kathryn R Martin, Lecturer in Epidemiology at the University of Aberdeen

1.What is your organization’s interest in the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance?

The Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health (ACAMH) is situated in the North East of Scotland at the University of Aberdeen and holds a “Centre of Excellence in Rheumatology” status by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). ACAMH’s vision is to facilitate innovative interdisciplinary clinical, research and training activities at the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian. The Centre aims to better understand the causes and risk factors for arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders, in order to improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of debilitating conditions such as osteoarthritis.

To do this, clinical and non-clinical scientists from five research groups work closely with clinical colleagues to conduct:
– Discovery science to study the causes of arthritis
– Translational preclinical research for the development of new treatment strategies
– Population studies to understand risk factors and population perspectives
– Randomised controlled clinical trials to determine efficacy of new treatment paradigms.

ACAMH is one of the international members of the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) because osteoarthritis knows no geographical borders. At ACAMH, we believe that in order to reduce the burden of OA for patients and society at a local and national level, we must be aligned with international initiatives such as the OAAA. By sharing resources and lessons learned from best practice we can more effectively conduct research, provide patient care and promote global awareness of osteoarthritis.

2. What do you think is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis?

Quality of life. Patients with osteoarthritis seek medical help when pain and stiffness are debilitating and they are not able to live their life to the fullest. When mobility and daily living tasks are compromised and the ability to work and or take part in valued life activities are hindered, negative psychosocial outcomes like depression and social isolation often follow. At ACAMH, we strive to improve quality of life for OA patients with innovative research and clinical care, keeping the patient at the heart of all we do so that they can live their best life possible.

3. How does your work connect to issues in osteoarthritis?

The work currently being undertaken at ACAMH covers a range of topics, and the breadth can be evidenced by the two examples of ongoing research programmes. The first, led by Professor Cosimo De Bari, is focussed on understanding the roles that stem cells and stromal cells found in joints play in the pathogenesis of arthritis. Harnessing these cells to maintain and repair joint tissue may prove a successful way to modulate disease outcome. The second, led by myself, is focussed on promoting physical activity to those with arthritis for optimal self-management. A recent project has examined the relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) programme in Aberdeen, with the hope that WWE might be implemented more widely throughout the United Kingdom.

4. What is a headline you’d like to see about osteoarthritis in five years?

More people report exercising than taking painkillers to manage their osteoarthritis symptoms!

5. What is one interesting fact you’d like people to know about your organization?

For over 30 years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) research has been conducted at the University of Aberdeen and the world’s first clinically useful scan of a patient was done in Aberdeen. Prof David Lurie and his team are leading the way in Fast-Field-Cycling MRI, developing the only human sized prototypes in the world. This new MRI scanner is akin to having 100 different MRI scanners in one, providing more information and data to be examined. Such innovative technologies may pave the way for earlier diagnosis and tracking of progression to improve treatment and management of osteoarthritis.