We address clinically important questions by seeking evidence-based answers and leading the change in research methodology and clinical practice.
With public and patient involvement at the heart of our work, our interdisciplinary team of researchers and professionals aims to understand and improve the lives of people living with musculoskeletal conditions.
Our research tackles questions from two clinical areas by applying leading practices from three cross-cutting methodological themes:
Clinical research areas
Occurrence and progression of disease
We aim to understand disease progression and prognosis for people living with musculoskeletal disease.
Treatment effectiveness and safety
We aim to improve the understanding of the effectiveness and safety of medication used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disease.
Methodological research themes
Harnessing digital data
Our research brings existing and innovative digital health data from multiple sources.
Data analysis and methodologies
We aim to improve analysis by developing novel methods using machine learning and text-mining.
Putting research into practice
We aim to make an impact by putting our research findings into policy and clinical practice.
Research highlights
Browse a selection of our research publications.
For our latest news and findings:
- Time trends and prescribing patterns of opioid drugs in UK primary care patients with non-cancer pain. (Treatment effectiveness and safety)
- Providing "the bigger picture": benefits and feasibility of integrating remote monitoring from smartphones into the electronic health record. (Harnessing digital data)
- Frequency of biologic switching and the outcomes of switching in children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. (Treatment effectiveness and safety)
- Predictors of presenteeism, absenteeism and job loss in patients commencing methotrexate or biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. (Occurrence and progression of disease)
- Not all moderate disease is the same - Identification of disability trajectories among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and moderate disease activity. (Occurrence and progression of disease)
- How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app. (Harnessing digital data)
- Avoiding pitfalls when combining multiple imputation and propensity scores. (Data analysis and methodologies)
- Do clinical correlates of knee osteoarthritis predict outcome of intraarticular steroid injections? (Data analysis and methodologies)
- Maximizing engagement in mobile health studies: Lessons learned and future directions. (Putting research into practice)
- Are weather conditions associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain? A review of results and methodologies. (Putting research into practice)
Get involved
We position patients, carers and the public at the very heart of everything we do.
By working together, we can make our research better and improve the life of people with musculoskeletal conditions.
Your input is crucial in shaping our research. You can:
- help us shape our research with your unique insights;
- take part in our studies as a participant;
- ensure the patient voice is heard.
Study and professional development
Postgraduate research
We offer an outstanding research environment for PhD students, ensuring that our early career researchers acquire the skills they need to become successful epidemiologists.
Professional development
At the Centre, researchers can continue to develop their skills and stay up to date with epidemiologic trends through seminars and courses.
About us
People
Find out about the key contacts, directors and all of the staff working at the Centre.
Read more
Funders and partners
See a list of key research funders and partners for our Centre.
Read more
Our history
Learn more about the Centre's history, built on a legacy of more than 60 years of epidemiological research.
Read more
Contact us
Get in touch if you have any questions.
Email: cfe@manchester.ac.uk
Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis
Second floor, Stopford Building
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PT
Find us
Our building is number 79 on the campus map.
Follow us
