Arthritis Research Canada at EULAR 2025
June 11
The EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology is the primary platform for exchange of scientific and clinical information in Europe. It seeks to provide a forum of the highest standard for scientific, educational and social exchange between professionals involved in rheumatology. It also incorporates liaising with patient organizations in order to achieve progress in the clinical care of people with rheumatic diseases.
The EULAR Congress attracts over 18,000 delegates from more than 130 countries and takes place in a major European city. This year, the EULAR Congress will take place in Barcelona from June 11 to June 14.
To learn about Arthritis Research Canada research presented at the EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (Day 1), please scroll down.
The impact of depression on absenteeism, presenteeism and health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory arthritis – an international study. OP0028
This international study in Europe and Canada found that workers with inflammatory arthritis who also have depression experienced more limitations affecting productivity while at work and had a lower quality of life, but were not more likely to be absent from work. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health as part of inflammatory arthritis management and as a key part of arthritis care.
Research Team: Bendelow J, Warburton J, Macintyre VG, Boonen A, Lacaille D, Crepaldi G, Dadoun S, Hagel S, Canas da Silva J, Mihai C, Ramiro S, Sakellariou G, Meisalu S, Wallman JK, Verstappen S. Ann Rheum Dis Citation: , volume 84, supplement 1, year 2025, page 25
Effectiveness of the remote video-based SARAH exercise program in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled single-blinded study. OP0117
This study found that a 12-week video-based hand exercise program, called Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH), helped people with rheumatoid arthritis improve wrist movement and flexion, improve hand function, reduce pain, and strengthen their grip. Engaging in the SARAH program can give extra benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis and wrist problems when added to their regular medication.
Research Team: Ceylan A, Baskan E, Inanc I, Sarac DC, Ozkan A, Karaca NB, Solmaz D, Gucenmez S, Akar S, Bayraktar D.
Increase in Prevalence and Incidence Rates of Psoriatic Arthritis in Catalonia, Spain: A Population-Based Study. OP0038
This study looked at how common psoriatic arthritis is in Catalonia, Spain. It found that both the number of people living with the condition and the number of new cases each year have increased over time, especially in people aged 50 to 69. Similar rates were observed in men and women. These findings are important for helping to plan allocation of health care resources for people living with psoriatic arthritis in Spain.
Research Team: Gomez-Puerta JA, Ramirez J, Ponce A, Azuaga A, Grau M, Tebe C, Sarmiento-Monroy L, Alascia L, Varela F, Arango Silva C, Carbonell-Abella C, Martinez-Laguna D, Novell M, Sanmarti R, Avina-Zubieta JA, Canete Crespillo DD.
Incidence of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases Following Treatment with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists or Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors vs. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors: A Population-Based Study.OP0035
This large study using administrative health data from everyone in British Columbia, found that people with type 2 diabetes who started new diabetes medications like GLP-1-RAs (e.g., semaglutide – aka Ozempic) or SGLT2i (e.g., empagliflozin – aka Jardiance) did not have a higher or lower risk of developing autoimmune rheumatic diseases compared to those taking a commonly used alternative. These results offer reassurance about the safety of these new diabetes medications that are increasingly used because of their beneficial effects on weight, heart and kidney health.
Research Team: Karacabeyli D, Lacaille D, Lu N, Xie H, Avina-Zubieta JA.
Predictors of presenteeism over time in individuals with inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis. OP0386
This international study in Europe and Canada found that workers with arthritis who experienced more pain, poorer physical function, and more demanding or routine jobs were more likely to experience reduced productivity at work over time. This study shows that both health and job-related factors can affect how well people with arthritis can work and highlights the need for personalized support in the workplace.
Research Team: Macintyre VG, Boonen A, Lacaille D, Wilkinson S, Lund M, Shoop-Worrall S, Canas da Silva J Crepaldi G, Dadoun S, Hagel S, Mihai C, Ramiro S, Sakellariou G, Meisalu S, Wallman JK, Verstappen S.
Exploring the Potential for Cardiorenal-Metabolic Therapies to Target Comorbidities in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis. POS0031
This study, using data from the Canadian early rheumatoid arthritis CATCH cohort, found that nearly half of people newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis had other conditions like obesity or diabetes that could make them eligible for medications known to support heart, kidney, and metabolic health. Because conditions like obesity and diabetes can make rheumatoid arthritis harder to treat, using these therapies could offer new ways to improve both overall health and arthritis outcomes.
Research Team: Kuriya B, Bartlett SJ, Valois MF, Allard-Charmard H, Hitchon CA, Thorne C, Hazlewood G, Bessette L, Pope J, Boire G, Bykerk V
Use of parenteral compared to oral glucocorticoids in early rheumatoid arthritis is superior for chance of being off steroids and escalation of therapy at 1 year. POS0644
This study of people newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis from the Canadian early rheumatoid arthritis CATCH cohort compared how glucocorticoids given as pills compared to intramuscular injections affect RA treatment over the first year. The results showed that people who got injections, rather than pills, were less likely to still be using glucocorticoids a year later. However, both groups were more likely to need stronger treatments than those who didn’t use glucocorticoids at all. These findings suggest that glucocorticoids injections may help patients stop glucocorticoids sooner than pills.
Research Team: Fernandez-Codina A, Valois MF, Bartlett SJ, Wahed M, Allard-Chamard H, Bessette L, Hazlewood G, Hitchon CA, Kuria B, Thorne , Bykerk V, Pope J
Is there an Increase in the Prevalence and Incidence rates of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Catalonia, Spain A population-based study (2006–2021). POS0643
This study found that in Catalonia, Spain, rheumatoid arthritis affects about 393 people per 100,000 and most are women. The number of people with RA increased from 2006 to 2021, especially in those aged 60-79. The growing number of people living with RA in Catalonia highlights the need for healthcare planning and support, specifically for older adults and women.
Research Team: Gómez-Puerta JA, Frade-Sosa B, Ponce A, Grau M, Tebe C, Sarmiento-Monroy J, Azuaga A, Alascio L, Chacur CA, Farietta Varela S, Ramirez J, Carbonell-Abella C, Martinez-Laguna D, Ruiz Esquide V, Avina-Zubieta JA, Sanmarti R.
EULAR recommendations for physical activity in people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis: 2025 update. POS1441
This study was a literature review to update the EULAR physical activity recommendations for individuals with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. More than 100 recent studies were used to update the guidelines. The updated guidelines emphasize the critical role of physical activity in managing arthritis, the importance of spending less time sitting (sedentary time) and provide new guidance on using wearable activity trackers and digital tools to promote movement. This research is important because it can provide healthcare providers with evidence-based and practical recommendations to better support patients’ healthy physical activity habits.
Research Team: Rausch Osthoff AK, Vlieland V, Ferreira JO, Amarnani R, Battista S, Bayraktar D, Boyadzhieva V, Brodin N, Cox A, Davergne T, Tuncay Duruoz M, Esbenson BA, Fongen C, Gunther KP, Henrotin Y, Juhl C, Kennedy N, Kiltz U, Knittle K, Metsios GS, Nurmohamed M, Robero Pazos V, Swinnen TW, Thomsen T, Warburton L, Niedermann K.
Lung Transplantation Outcomes in Patients with Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features. POS0701
Patients with Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features (IPAF) who underwent lung transplantation had comparable post-transplant survival, lung function, infectious or rejection complications compared to people who got a lung transplant for the more common cause of lung disease requiring transplantation, called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This study is the first of its kind to report both short-term and long-term outcomes of lung transplantation in patients with IPAF.
Research Team: Yu CM, Kim H, Levy R, Wilson J, Yee J, Huang K.
