Circle Health Group has sponsored Arthritis UK’s Research Highlight of the Year award 2025
We’re delighted to announce that Professor Eleftheria Zeggini and the research team from arcoGEN consortium has won the prestigious Research Highlight of the Year award from Arthritis UK for their work on the connection between genetic markers and the development of osteoarthritis.
Amongst our vast network of expert healthcare professionals, we work with over 750 specialist orthopaedic consultants who can see patients for an initial consultation in as little as 48 hours. They provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and surgery for orthopaedic conditions, with state-of-the-art imaging and expert physiotherapy.
We always strive to provide cutting-edge, tailored care for all our patients, so they can get the most out of their healthcare journey to recovery and management. This is why over 2 million patients see us across multiple specialities each year, as they trust our high-quality of care.
The Arthritis UK Research Highlight of the Year Award
The Research Highlight of the Year Award shines a light on and celebrates outstanding contributions to the field of arthritis research. We want to support those within the research community focused on furthering our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of arthritis for all those impacted by the condition.
With nearly 500 papers submitted this year exploring how to make arthritis manageable, treatable, and preventable, we are pleased to see all the great work the field has done this year.
The winner: Professor Eleftheria Zeggini and the research team from arcoGEN consortium
Congratulations to study leader Professor Eleftheria Zeggini and the research team from arcoGEN consortium on winning this year’s Research Highlight of the Year Award!
Professor Eleftheria Zeggini comments on the win:
The Genetics of Osteoarthritis international team of collaborators are delighted that our work is being recognised by this prestigious award. Our findings on osteoarthritis genetics advance our understanding of the disease and lay the groundwork for developing more effective and personalised therapies that can transform osteoarthritis care.
I am delighted to see Professor Eleftheria Zeggini and the research team from arcoGEN consortium win this competition and thank Circle Health Group for their valuable sponsorship to help make this campaign possible. It was a tough competition, and you can see a challenge for the public to choose a winner from the exceptionally high calibre of entries, all of which build on our ninety-year legacy of significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of arthritis.
The winning research project, ‘Exploring the genetics of osteoarthritis’
As part of the largest study ever on osteoarthritis, this research investigated the connection between genetic markers and the development of osteoarthritis. Over 950 genetic links were found, with eight different underlying biological mechanisms that drive how the disease starts, develops, and progresses being identified.
These findings could help revolutionise how we understand osteoarthritis and pave the way for a higher number of better personalised treatments.
The outstanding, shortlisted research projects
The link between deprivation and unequal care
This project investigated whether there is a connection between increased levels of pain experienced by patients, unequal qualities of care, and socio-economic living conditions, specifically for those living in deprived areas.
The study provides evidence that we need to raise awareness about the inequalities experienced amongst arthritis patients. It also highlights how we can improve services and conditions for people living with musculoskeletal pain conditions in areas with the greatest need of support.
This work was led by researchers from the MIDAS project.
How immune cells could guide JIA treatment
This study explored how monitoring the health of immune cells (regulatory T cells) can help predict and track disease activity in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Research found that knowing how healthy regulatory T cells are could tell the difference in how JIA behaves and help predict future flare-ups. With further investigation, monitoring these immune cells’ health could be used to help guide treatment decisions, spot flares earlier, and safely reduce medication use for JIA patients.
This work was led by researchers from University College London, specifically Dr Anne Pesenacker & Meryl Attrill.
Making osteoarthritis peer mentoring accessible
This project focused on the development of an online support programme for those with osteoarthritis who may have fewer resources or face extra challenges in everyday life. People living with osteoarthritis helped design the programme, so it also considers factors such as how easy it is to get online, how confident people feel using technology, and what kind of support is most useful.
Results from a small study with patients showed that rolling out the programme could be helpful both for those delivering the support and the people who receive it, making care fairer for everyone.
This work was led by researchers from the University of Leeds.
Sex differences in the immune system
This study investigated how female sex hormones and sex chromosomes might help explain why women are more likely than men to develop many different types of arthritis.
Results found positive correlations between both female sex hormones and sex chromosomes working together, and how the immune system responds. This could suggest why women are more likely to develop most types of arthritis than men.
This work was led by researchers from University College London, Dr Hannah Peckham, Professor Coziana Ciurtin, Dr Lizzy Rosser, et al.
Understanding rheumatoid arthritis remission
This research explored the nature of immune cells that live in the joints and found that dendritic cells, which provide a protective shield in healthy joints, don’t work as well in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), even in those in disease remission.
These findings open new avenues for understanding how to keep patients with RA in remission, new treatment approaches for active RA, and how to prevent future flare-ups of the disease.
This work was led by researchers from the University of Glasgow, Professor Mariola Kurowska-Stolarska, Professor Stefano Alivernini, Dr Lucy MacDonald, et al.
How we support people living with arthritis at Circle Health Group
At Circle Health Group, we offer highly specialised, tailored diagnostics and treatment for arthritis across all 54 of our hospitals nationwide. We have a vast network of industry-leading consultants who can offer a wide range of treatment options, from lifestyle management to surgical interventions. Our aim is to ensure you get the best treatment for your individual needs and start the journey to being your best self.
For more information about arthritis diagnosis and treatment at Circle Health Group, check out our website for more information or contact us via phone or online to book an appointment today.
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