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Our Research

Arthritis is serious. And so is our commitment to finding answers.

What We're Working On Right Now

Improving Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Arthritis Research

Arthritis affects more than six million people in Canada. Arthritis research is extremely important so that we can find better treatments and supports, since there is currently no cure. Past research in Canada has left out certain groups of people, especially those from diverse backgrounds or those who face disadvantages. There has been little attention given to why some people have worse health outcomes than others, and how to make research more inclusive for everyone. We are doing this study to support more inclusive research on arthritis care and treatment.

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Virtual Intervention for Vertebral frActure (VIVA): A rehab program for better recovery after spine fractures

Spine fractures are the most common type of fracture caused by osteoporosis. These injuries can happen during a fall, or even from simple everyday movements like bending to tie your shoes. Spine fractures cause pain and make it harder to do daily activities like move around, breathe, and eat. Currently, there is a shortage of rehabilitation services for people with spine fractures, and rehab services can be expensive and hard to access, especially in rural or remote areas. Because of this, most spine fractures often go undiagnosed or untreated.

To help address this gap, our team created a virtual rehabilitation program called Virtual Intervention for Vertebral fracture (VIVA), designed for people who have had a spine fracture. Our team includes patients, health care providers, researchers, and partners like Osteoporosis Canada. This study will test whether VIVA can improve outcomes – like help reduce pain, improve mobility and quality of life, and be cost-effective for people with spine fractures.

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Improving Quality of Care for Rheumatoid Arthritis

In Canada, the quality of care for patients with inflammatory arthritis is not routinely monitored. As a result, there may be variations in care that could lead to poor patient outcomes. Inflammatory arthritis conditions cause joint pain, swelling, and deformity, leading to disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type found among adults.

One approach to monitoring and improving the quality of care provided to patients is the implementation of a balanced scorecard. Like a report card, a balanced scorecard is a structured approach to improving care efficiency and performance that represents viewpoints from multiple stakeholder perspectives. In this case, the knowledge users and interest holders include people living with arthritis, healthcare providers, healthcare managers and policy makers. A key part of this approach is that performance data is reported back to clinics and health care providers, so they can work on improving things where performance was not optimal. This feedback is critical, as we cannot improve what we don’t measure.

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What We Study

Arthritis Research Canada is a national hub for patient-centred arthritis research, bringing together researchers, clinicians, trainees, and communities to turn rigorous, multi-disciplinary evidence into better care. Every study we conduct meets the highest standards of scientific excellence and is grounded in the real experiences of people living with arthritis and rheumatic diseases.

Our research is organized into six areas of focus, each one a pathway to better prevention, earlier diagnosis, improved treatment, and a higher quality of life for people living with arthritis across Canada. Select a category to explore the studies within it.

Prevention of Arthritis & Complications

Research focused on reducing the risk of developing arthritis and on evaluating or preventing complications of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases throughout one’s lifespan.

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Health Habits & Wellbeing

Research focused on supporting people to live well with arthritis and on reducing the disease’s impact on everyday life. This work develops and tests practical, evidence-based strategies to address fatigue and pain, promote physical activity, improve sleep, and support mental health. It helps people sustain meaningful hobbies, work and family roles by strengthening the skills they need to manage their health and maintain quality of life.

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Treatments & Medications

Research focused on evaluating how arthritis is treated. This includes evaluating non-pharmacological treatments, the safety and effectiveness of medications, their long-term impact on health outcomes, and comparing treatment options. It also supports informed shared decision-making between patients and clinicians through tools such as decision aids and treatment guidelines.

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Arthritis Care

Research focused on improving arthritis care. This includes improving early diagnosis, studying novel ways of delivering care to better meet patients’ needs, measuring and improving the quality of care delivered, and reducing inequities in health care and health outcomes, so that timely high-quality care is available for all.

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Health Systems, Policies & Economics

Research that examines and improves how arthritis-related healthcare and supports are organized, funded, accessed, and delivered at the system level. This includes research evaluating health and social policies, health system initiatives to improve access, efficiency, quality, and equity of care, as well as health economic analyses.

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Innovative Research Methods

Research that improves how arthritis research is designed, conducted, measured, and shared. This includes developing new tools, classification criteria, data analysis methods, technologies, and approaches that strengthen the quality, diversity, inclusiveness, and impact of research.

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Research That Moves People

Every study on this page is a step toward preventing arthritis, catching it earlier, treating it better, and helping people live well.

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