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:

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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Biennial report 2022


EULAR study group on MHC-I-opathy

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Biennial report 2024   


EULAR Study Group on Neuro Endocrine Immunology of the Rheumatic Diseases (NEIRD)

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Biennial report 2023
 


EULAR European Consensus Finding Study Group on Laboratory Investigation in Rheumatology (ECFSG)

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Biennial report 2024 


EULAR Gene and Cell Therapy Study Group (GCTSG)

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Biennial report 2024 


EULAR Synovitis Study Group (ESSG)

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Official website

Biennial report 2024


EULAR Study Group for Risk Factors for RA (SGRFRA)

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Biennial report 2023


EULAR Study Group on Capillaroscopy & Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases

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Biennial report 2023


EULAR Study Group on OA (SGOA)

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Biennial report 2023

Research Agenda


EULAR Study Group on Sjogren's Syndrome

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Biennial report 2023   



Related Information
Application Form 

In accordance with the EULAR Statutes, it is possible to apply for a title of a EULAR Study Group 

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