clinical research

iThe clinical services, currently based at Leeds General Infirmary, St James's Hospital and Chapel Allerton Hospital , provide an ideal base for the Unit's clinical and basic science research. Through the NHS the Unit has access to a regional population of more than 3.8m and very diverse patient groups allowing the ready testing of clinical hypotheses and the development of clinical research projects.

One of the Unit's major research themes is the understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and other tissues which affects approximately 1% of the UK population. If untreated, RA leads to permanent damage of soft tissues, cartilage and bone, causing deformity, severe disability and even premature mortality. The onset of disease tends to be in the middle years of life, which would otherwise be the most productive time of an adult's life.

The Unit's philosophy is for nurses, therapists, rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons and GPs to work together, making this Unit one of the largest training centres in the world and providing invaluable resources for both clinical and basic research.

• Early arthritis centre
• Imaging centre
• Clinical trials
• Immune mediated inflammatory diseases / Biologics therapy centre

for patient inquiries, please contact the NHS Leeds.Teaching Hospitals.