Analysing Rhythmicity in Inflammatory Arthritis (ARIA) v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Analysing Rhythmicity in Inflammatory Arthritis (ARIA)
IRAS ID
321714
Contact name
Andrea Luengas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of inflammatory arthropathy, is characterised by daily rhythmicity in inflammation. RA patients commonly experience early morning joint pain and stiffness. In this study, we build upon our previous work in pre-clinical mouse models, which recognise that the inflammatory environment within the joints exhibits 24-hour (circadian) variation. Additionally, there is an increasing appreciation that RA is associated with changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. To date, most studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms driving inflammatory arthritis do not consider time-of-day, thus provide only a snapshot. To see the bigger picture, we must take circadian time into consideration.
Patients with recently diagnosed inflammatory arthritis (treatment-naïve) and healthy volunteers will be recruited to participate in the main study and/or the sub-studies. The main study involves 2 joint aspirations (only patients), the blood sub-study involves 2 blood and 2 saliva samples and the microbiome sub-study involves faecal sample donation. Participants can participate in one or more studies/sub-studies. Participants of the main study and blood sub-study will be required to attend two study visits at the Clinical Research Facility in Manchester NHS Foundation Trust at 18:00 h and 06:00 h; and wear a watch-like device that records light and motion for 12 h. Participants of the microbiome sub-study will be asked to collect up to 7 faecal samples at home. Questionnaires will be used to record information regarding sleep and dietary habits.
Samples will be analysed at The University of Manchester, by external collaborators or by companies. Circadian variation in inflammatory mediators in the joint and in the circulation as well as in the composition and function of the microbiota, will be investigated. It is envisaged that this study, funded by Versus Arthritis, will impact significantly on the scientific understanding of the nature of diurnal variation in inflammatory arthritis.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0084
Date of REC Opinion
13 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion