Research

What are we learning from arthritis research?

While there is currently no cure for arthritis, dramatic advances in research over the past few decades have led to better treatments and hope for the future. Canada is a global leader in arthritis research. Sustained research efforts account for why people living with arthritis now have many treatment options – including surgery and medication – to manage their condition. These treatments, however, don’t work for everyone, treatments can stop being effective and there can be side effects. Not all people can access the treatments they need.

More must be done. Particularly when you consider that arthritis affects 16% of the Canadian population - more adults than diabetes, cancer, heart disease, asthma or spinal cord trauma – but receives much less research funding than many other chronic diseases. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research Funding spent $20.5 million on arthritis related research in 2009, representing about $4.88 for every person with arthritis. For comparison (figures 2000/2001):

• Diabetes research received three times as much or about $12.83 per person with diabetes;
• Cancer research received thirty-two times as much funding or about $138.60 per person with cancer;
• HIV-AIDS research received 139 times as much funding or about $598.40 per person with a positive HIV-AIDS test.

More funding for arthritis research is critical for researchers to better understand how to prevent, treat and find a cure for arthritis.

Investments in Canadian Arthritis Research

The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada (ARC) located in both Vancouver and Calgary, conducts consumer patent-driven clinical research and trials related to arthritis diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, care outcomes and quality of life issues. In other words, research that is conducted while actually improving the lives of people with arthritis who participate in it. A patient-oriented research centre, they approach their work from a wide range of disciplines including rheumatology, rehabilitation science, public health, epidemiology, biostatistics health psychology, health economics and education.

ARC’s important work is supported through working relationships and partnerships with universities, hospitals, funding agencies, arthritis treatment centres The Arthritis Society. ARC scientists are having tremendous success in obtaining external grant funding to support the many research projects that are highly relevant to Canadians with arthritis.

ARC is committed to practical research for everyday living, meaning finding the answers NOW to reduce the burden of arthritis, and giving people with arthritis better, more timely, and cost-effective solutions for living with their disease. They are dedicated to finding the answers NOW to reduce the burden of arthritis, and giving people with arthritis better, more timely, and cost-effective solutions for living with their disease.