Research led by Keele University and Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, has helped drive the development of the UK's first dedicated guideline on pain management for people living with inflammatory arthritis.
Produced by the British Society for Rheumatology, the landmark guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the assessment and treatment of pain in adults, children and young people with inflammatory arthritis. It has been developed through collaboration between a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and pharmacists, alongside people with lived experience of the condition.
Inflammatory arthritis affects more than 1% of adults and around four in every 10,000 children and young people across the UK. The term covers a range of conditions that cause inflammation of the joints, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Persistent pain remains one of the most significant challenges faced by patients, often having a profound impact on daily life, wellbeing and independence.
The new guideline brings together the latest clinical evidence and expert consensus to support a more holistic, person-centred approach to pain management. It aims to help healthcare professionals better understand the underlying causes of pain and identify the most effective treatment strategies for individual patients.
The project was co-led by Dr Ian Scott, Reader in Rheumatology at Keele University and Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at MPFT. His research has played a significant role in highlighting the need for a dedicated guideline and informing its recommendations. He said:
“Pain is so common in people with inflammatory arthritis. It has many different causes and effects, so working out what is causing pain and how best to treat it in different people can be challenging. I am delighted that we now have a UK guideline that is dedicated to helping patients and clinicians do this.”
Researchers and clinicians from Keele University's School of Medicine and MPFT made substantial contributions to the guideline's development. Tilli Smith and Dr Opeyemi Babatunde were instrumental in conducting the literature review that underpins the recommendations and are named as authors on the guideline.
They are joined by a number of other Keele and MPFT colleagues, including pharmacist Assie O'Connor and GP Professor Christian Mallen, reflecting the breadth of expertise involved in creating the guidance.
The publication highlights the value of close collaboration between academic researchers and frontline clinicians in translating research into practical guidance that improves patient care. By establishing a clear framework for assessing and managing pain, the guideline is expected to support better outcomes and enhance the quality of life for thousands of people living with inflammatory arthritis across the UK.
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