Research: Quality of life can be improved for patients with Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal health issues

The recipe to improve the quality of life for people with osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal health issues is excellent translational research. Research, where strong collaborations between researchers at universities and clinicians at hospitals create the foundation for new insights, innovation, and implementation in clinical practice with direct value and impact on patient care.

Professor and CAG Chair, Anders Troelsen and Professor and CAG Vice-Chair, Stine Jacobsen started CAG ROAD (Research in OsteoArthritis Denmark) in 2018. CAG ROAD aims to improve the quality of life, increase focus on prevention and develop better treatment for individuals with not only OsteoArthritis (OA) but all Musculoskeletal (MSK) health issues by reducing pain, enhancing function, and heightening the quality of life with development and integration of AI and other supportive technologies at its core.

In Denmark, OA is the second most wide-spread condition next to allergies, and in light of the demographic development with increased life expectancy and an expected increase in the number of people with obesity, the number of people with OA is likely to grow possibly leading to great human and social costs. In addition, OA and MSK health issues has significant socio-economic consequences in the form of treatment costs, handicap, reduced quality of life and lost earnings.

”It can be a challenge to disseminate research-based knowledge to the clinic and practice and not only via publications in professional journals. It is obvious that physiotherapists and other health professionals who, for example, work in a municipality do not have the opportunity to constantly stay updated via scientific articles. It is therefore our task to ensure that the latest knowledge is communicated in an easier, accessible and more practical way.” says CAG Chair, Professor Anders Troelsen.

The importance of excellent research and strong collaboration

CAG ROAD is a strengthened cross-disciplinary partnership between researchers and clinicians and other professionals within the field of OA and MSK. Together they aim to translate basic and clinical research into improved quality of life for people with OA and MSK health issues.

By incorporating big data analytics and advanced technology, CAG ROAD is able to gain a deeper understanding of disease patterns, risk factors, and treatment responses, ultimately informing personalised and evidence-based care.

The research will address the most pressing societal OA and MSK health issues. With increasing incidence of degenerative and chronic diseases as well as a rising risk of MSK injuries, the strategy will be centred around the two clinical pillars; acute injuries and degenerative diseases, complemented by a strong effort in development and incorporation of technology and AI.

Through the strong CAG structure, great collaborations and excellent translational research, CAG ROAD aims to enhance prevention and treatment through integration of AI and other supportive technologies that will improve life for the patients and benefit both patients and society by reducing resource consumption, significantly impacting economy associated with OA. Implementation of evidence and algorithm-based diagnostic and treatment options can optimize this.

Implementation in clinical practice – how does it work?

In terms of implementation into clinical practice, CAG ROAD will see that the results reach clinical practice through the development of clinical guidelines. Also, the work will reach patients and clinicians through the creation of clinically usable technological tools. The results, including a focus on predictive models, will lead to further research to strengthen preventive efforts against degenerative diseases and associated disabilities.

Some CAG ROAD-members are clinicians themselves and conduct several forms of treatment for the patients on a daily basis. This strengthens the implementation of clinical guidelines whilst giving the remaining staff an even closer connection to latest research ensuring that the patients always receive best possible treatments.

Furthermore, CAG ROAD has updated the national guidelines for OA treatment, a responsibility previously held by the Danish Health Authority. As a natural anchor for collecting and disseminating such knowledge, we embrace this task with pride and strong commitment.

The CAG ROAD Team

CAG ROAD consists of CAG Chair, Professor Anders Troelsen, Amager-Hvidovre Hospital, Capital Region of Denmark and CAG Vice-Chair, Professor Stine Jacobsen, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Three junior chairs, Associate Professor Lise Charlotte Berg, University of Copenhagen, Clinical Associate Professor Tazio Maleitzke, University of Copenhagen and PhD PostDoc Jasmin Bagge, Amager-Hvidovre Hospital.

Alongside 14 CAG Keymembers from across the Capital Region of Denmark, Region Zealand, University of Copenhagen and DTU.

Learn more about CAG ROAD here.

Looking into the future

To consolidate the future of the CAG and to put emphasis on the translational aspects of OA-research, we have recently expanded the CAG leadership with MD Tazio Maleitzke, PhD Jasmin Bagge and PhD Lise Charlotte Berg.