EULAR Research Study Groups
EULAR study groups are established networks in their respective fields and play an active part in the research and treatment of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Below is an overview of the EULAR Research Study Groups. Each study group overview contains a description and links to further information. Scroll down for further information.
Focus groups in the area of musculoskeletal medicine may apply for EULAR endorsement and also for support through the EULAR Research Committee.
How to apply to a EULAR Study Group:
Please see more information below:
See more
EULAR Study Group on Work in RMDs
The Study Group will function as an open networking platform to expand established collaborations and foster new ideas through brainstorming and discussion, with particular attention to incorporating patients’ perspectives. Specific aims of the Study Group will be:
- Promote collaborative research at different levels about any aspect of the patient’s journey throughout working life
- Exchange experiences with developing, testing, implementing, and evaluating interventions targeted at supporting work retention and return to work for people with RMDs
- Develop and test work interventions with specific recognition of the in-work and outside-of-work factors which may be influential, while recognising that interventions should support the balance of work as a part of everyday life.
- Discuss emerging topics and elaborate proposals for Task Forces and/or scientific meetings/sessions at EULAR Annual Congress.
We plan to set up an annual meeting, which will be held during the annual EULAR Congress. Any project delivered by the Study Group will be submitted for presentation at the EULAR Congress. Any collaborative project fostered within this group will be devoted to the improvement of the care for patients with RMDs. The group has an open-door concept and anyone who is interested is invited to participate.
If endorsed by EULAR, the Study Group will aim at meeting for the first time during the EULAR Congress 2025 in Barcelona.
Study Group Leaders: Yvonne Codd (Assistant Professor, OT, Ireland) and Christina M. T. Madsen (Postdoc, OT, Denmark)
EULAR Study Group on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases and Malignancies
The proposed EULAR Study Group (SG) aims to establish an international group including patient’s representatives and experts with a special interest in issues related to malignancies in RMDs. The main objectives of the EULAR Study Group proposal are:
- Maintain an International Network: Create and sustain a global network of clinicians and researchers with expertise in onco-rheumatology.
- Foster Collaborative Infrastructure: Develop infrastructure to support collaborative investigator-initiated projects.
- Initiate Clinical and Translational Research: Establish and initiate new clinical and translational research projects and applications.
- Enhance Data Sharing and Standardisation: Promote the standardization of data collection and sharing protocols across international borders.
- Patient-Centred Approach: Incorporate patient perspectives and experiences in research and guideline development.
- Integration of Emerging Technologies: Utilise emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse large datasets.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among oncologists, rheumatologists, immunologists, and other healthcare professionals.
By addressing these additional areas, the EULAR Study Group can contribute to improve collaborative research on malignancies in patients with RMDs and ultimately improve quality of care.
Study Group Leader: Jacques-Eric Gottenberg, Department of Rheumatology, Strasbourg University Hospital
Digital Health & Technology
The proposed EULAR Study Group (SG) aims to establish an international, multidisciplinary research collaboration consisting of patients, clinicians, translational experts, and other interested parties to:
- Create a network of multi-disciplinary experts in digital health research in rheumatic diseases
- To promote collaboration between researchers in digital health research across Europe
- To raise the profile of digital health research in rheumatology
- Assist the sharing of multidisciplinary knowledge and expertise.
- To identify new applications /utility of digital health in the rheumatic diseases
- To promote best practices in the development and application of these digital tools.
Our “digital health & technology” remit is deliberately broad covering wearables, mobile applications, digital biomarkers, ePROMs, data analytics and artificial intelligence. The ultimate goal of this group is to enable these tools in reaching patients in everyday clinical practice.
Study Group Leaders: Prof Wan Fai Ng/Dr Silvia Del Din
Adherence to Therapy in RMDs
The proposed EULAR Study Group (SG) aims to encourage research acitivities aimed at:
- exploring adherence to therapy in RMD patients,
- improving the methodological approaches for studying adherence to therapy in RMD patients, possibly including the creations of new tools (e.g. PROs) that include also the perspective of patients and caregivers.
- improving the awareness on the importance of being adherent to therapy, also promoting action points for improving the knowledge of the disease
Study Group Leader: Rosaria Talarico, Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
EULAR Study Group on Social Media for Rheumatology Healthcare Professionals (SoMeR)
The proposed EULAR Study Group (SG) aims to explore the current landscape of social media by rheumatology professionals, while supporting global scientific exchange, reducing disparity in educational opportunities online, and provide future generations with the opportunity to channel time spent on SoME platforms into accredited professional development.
Study Group Lead: Latika Gupta
EULAR Study Group RMD Skeletal Muscle Research
Decreased skeletal muscle strength and increased muscle fatigue are often observed in patients with a rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), spondylarthritis (SpA) and gout. Moreover, RMD patients present 25-70% of decreased skeletal muscle strength, even despite effective (novel) treat-to-target therapies. Thereby, decreased skeletal muscle strength and increased fatigue are important clinical problems that add to the loss of independence and are associated with increased risks on (co)morbidities.
Study Group Leaders: dr. Maarten M. Steinz & Asc. Prof. Martin van der Esch
Microbiota and Mucosal Barrier Research in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (EULAR MICMUC group)
The microbiota research field has evolved rapidly within the last five years now generating more than 100,000 “microbiota” search results on PubMed.gov in 2022. One of the main drivers underlying this expansive research field is the recent technical development.
Read more
Biennial report 1 (2024)
Biennial report 2 (2024)
EULAR Study Group Syndemics in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease
The proposed EULAR Study Group (SG) aims to bring together a group of experts from all around the world, to study syndemics in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs). A syndemic approach allows the evaluation of the interaction of two or more biological diseases in different socio-cultural situations and in the context of different medical care standards. It considers potential interactions and how these may impact on the health of individuals, communities, and societies (1, 2). The syndemic relationship between RMDs, sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities has been documented in vulnerable populations in Latin America (3). The study of syndemics in rheumatology using relevant analytical strategies is considered appropriate because of the complexity of RMDs (4).
Study Group Leader: Elena Nikiphorou. Consultant Rheumatologist, King’s College Hospital and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, King’s College London
View study
Biennial report 2022
EULAR Epidemiology and Registeries Study Group (formerly called: EULAR Study Group on Longitudinal Observational Registers and Drug Studies / EULAR Study Group on Registers and Observational Drug Studies)
The aim of this study group is to create a platform for methodological, logistic, and scientific collaboration across European rheumatological drug registers in order to maximise the potential use of the data collected within each register, to maximise the quality of the scientific outputs within and across registers, and to maximise the exchange of experiences across registers.
Specific study group aims:
- To share experience and best practice across all interested European rheumatology drug registers, extending beyond established registers and beyond biologics registers, through provision of regular open meetings.
- To create a mechanism for collaborative investigator-initiated project.
- To provide the infrastructure to enable methods-development in collaborative analysis.
Coordinator and current members :
Lead: Axel Finckh (Switzerland), Johan Askling (Sweden, current coordinator), Will Dixon (UK), Kimme Hyrich (UK), Louise Mercer (UK), Joachim Listing (Germany), Angela Zink (Germany), Tore Kvien (Norway), Merete Hetland (Denmark), Piet van Riel (Netherlands), Robert Landewe (Netherlands), Loreto Carmona (Spain), Loza Estabaliz (Spain), Jakub Zavada (Check Republic), Kalle Altonen (Finland), Philippe Ravaud (France), Rotar Ziga (Slovenia),
The Study Group is open to anyone interested in collaborative efforts in the field of European rheumatology registers.
View Study
Biennial report 2023
EULAR Public Health in RMDs Study Group (ex. eumusc.net)
This Study Group evolved from the eumusc.net network of partners, a project supported by the EU and EULAR which completed its work in June 2013. The Study Group intends to continue and expand the work of the eumusc.net in view of promoting and enabling the highest standards of care in RMDs across Europe.
View study
Biennial report 2022
Official website
EULAR Big Data in RMDs Study Group
This study group evolved from the EULAR task force project on Big Data and mainly focuses on the use of Big Data / AI in the field of epidemiological and outcomes research (rather than omics or basic science big data).
View study
Biennial report 2022
EULAR study group on MHC-I-opathy
EULAR Study Group on Neuro Endocrine Immunology of the Rheumatic Diseases (NEIRD)
EULAR European Consensus Finding Study Group on Laboratory Investigation in Rheumatology (ECFSG)
EULAR Gene and Cell Therapy Study Group (GCTSG)
EULAR Synovitis Study Group (ESSG)
Read more
Official website
Biennial report 2024
EULAR Study Group for Risk Factors for RA (SGRFRA)
EULAR Study Group on Capillaroscopy & Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases
EULAR Study Group on OA (SGOA)
Read more
Biennial report 2023
Research Agenda
EULAR Study Group on Sjogren's Syndrome
Related Information
Application Form
In accordance with the EULAR Statutes, it is possible to apply for a title of a EULAR Study Group