About The Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group
Paediatric rheumatology refers to the study of rheumatic diseases in children and young people. Rheumatic diseases include conditions that cause pain and swelling in joints, such as arthritis. In children and young people, the most common form of arthritis is known as Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
1 in every 1,000 young people in the UK has arthritis. Arthritis in young people can be complex. Its severity varies from one person to another, and symptoms can alter greatly from day to day. The experience of growing up with arthritis can have a negative impact on all aspects of a young person’s development, and too many don’t have access to the treatments, information and support they need.
Founded in 2007, the Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group aims to make real headway in the fight against arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, in children and young people by strengthening research in the field, identifying areas for development, and providing expert advice to help researchers produce high quality research proposals. The group works in partnership with the National Institute of Health Research’s (NIHR) clinical research network which includes researchers, allied health professionals and nurses specialising in paediatrics.
In 2022, the group published the results of their review of priority research areas identified by engaging with young people, researchers, and health care professionals. You can read this here.
Conditions covered
The Clinical Studies Group has seven Topic Specific Groups related to certain conditions. These are open research groups welcome to healthcare professionals, parents and young people with arthritis. For enquiries and joining details please email research@versusarthritis.org.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)
- Bone
- Juvenile scleroderma
- Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE)
- Non-inflammatory MSK conditions
- Auto-inflammatory and vasculitis
Group Leads
Professor Paul Brogan
Professor Paul Brogan is Professor of Vasculitis at UCL and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
He leads a clinical service in vasculitis and rare autoinflammatory disease at GOSH, and a clinical academic research programme in the same conditions at University College London’s Institute of Child Health.
He is chief investigator of a number of current UK and European clinical trials and has additionally led successfully completed trials, including the MYPAN study funded by Versus Arthritis.
Associate Professor Clare Pain
Associate Professor Clare Pain is a Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Hospital.
Her areas of clinical and research expertise include both juvenile scleroderma and Behcet’s disease.
Clare is an Associate Director of the Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children (Behcet’s and scleroderma workstreams) and chief investigator on a number of clinical studies.
Group membership
Group membership includes parents, young people, and support service providers who provide the important perspective of people with arthritis (collectively known as the consumer group). The group also includes representatives of medical health care professionals, nurse and allied health professionals, paediatric rheumatology trainees, and of the national network BANNAR.
- Professor Paul Brogan. Co-chair, Professor of vasculitis at UCL and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Associate Prof Clare Pain. Co-Chair, Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool
- Dr Dan Hawley. Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatologist, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundations Trust
- Catherine Wright. Consumer group
- Christina Pringle. Consumer group
- Victoria Harbottle. Paediatric Physiotherapist, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust
- Dr Alice Cai. Psychologist, University of Greenwich
- Udeme Ohia. Lead Clinical Trials Pharmacist, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
- Dr Flora McErlane. Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Ethan Sen. Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Dr Neil Martin. Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Heather Smee. Nurse Representative
- Jasmine Davey. Consumer group
- Stephanie Parker. Consumer group
- Dr Coziana Ciurtin. Consultant in Adult and Adolescent rheumatology, University College London Hospital
- Dr Eslam Al-Abadi. Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Lottie Mayne. Paediatric Physiotherapist, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Natasha Shaw. Consumer group
- Dr Suma Uday. Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Dr Alice Chieng. Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatologist, Central Manchester University Hospitals
- Rachael McCormack. Consumer group
- Dr Josh Bennet. Paediatric Rheumatology Trainee Representative, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Dr Samantha Cooray. Paediatric Rheumatology Trainee Representative, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
Group meetings and events
The Group aims to meet monthly by telephone meeting and twice yearly at face to face meetings. The minutes of these monthly meetings are accessible here.
If you would like to attend or find out more please contact research@versusarthritis.org.