Special clinical interests are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and systemic immune diseases (in specific SLE and Sjögren syndrome) with a focus on patient centralised care. The department’s clinical practice focuses on spondylarthropathies, connective tissue diseases, hand OA, chronic pain management, other (please specify), cardiovascular co-morbidity in relation to glucocorticoid use, and lupus nephritis is a special interest within the department. Research is focused on the above mentioned three patient populations and is always translational in character. We have ongoing fundamental (in vitro laboratory), animal (in vivo), and clinical studies in addition to (randomised controlled) industry and investigator driven trials for all three disease categories.
For more details see our website www.umcutrecht.nl/rheumatology-research

There is specific research focus on orthopaedics with regard to osteoarthritis. There are ongoing and forthcoming industry and investigator driven trials specifically for rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, there are large cohorts of patients with SLE, SS, RA, and OA that are followed for long periods of time. Glucocorticoids, biologicals, early RA, patient tailored treatment strategies are key word in RA research. Anti-phospholipid syndrome and immunoregulation are keyword for SLE and SS. Imaging and joint distraction are keyword for OA research. The department has an own well equipped research laboratory where laboratory based research in relation to the above mentioned patient populations is performed. Cell and tissue cultures, cytokines and cell phenotyping, cartilage research, inflammation and regenerative medicine might be considered key word.
Effects of COX-2 and Coxibs is one of the main (translational) research lines within our group although the focus is on cartilage and synovium in OA, not on side effects at the level of GI or CV. There is a specific interest in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in RA. One of the main translational research lines on OA is in collaboration with the orthopaedics department on joint distraction. Additionally, pain and coping with pain is a major research topic for RA , OA and systemic immune diseases. Moreover, pain at a more fundamental research level is subject of study in OA.

There are always studies that can be undertaken by Fellows at the laboratory levels as well as clinical levels.
For details please visit the website
www.umcutrecht.nl/subsite/rheumatology-research/research-themes/

Young research fellows when eager, smart, and English speaking will be facilitated at the department in performing research at all levels. There are dedicated assistant and associate professors (five in total, clinicians and researchers) that are willing and equipped to facilitate and support these Fellows. Research is performed in a clinical setting. As Fellows will also get acquainted with clinical practice in Rheumatology and, when ambitioned, orthopaedics in one of the best University Medical Centres in Western Europe. Projects in general take 6 to 9 months and the intention is always to finalise the work at the level of an authorship on an international peer reviewed publication. In addition PhD programs (2 to 4 years) are often available.

Bijlsma JWJ, Jacobs; JW Glucocorticoid chronotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. The Lancet 2008; 371:183-184

Bijlsma JWJ, Lafeber FPJG; Glucosamine sulphate in osteoarthritis; the jury is still out. Annals of Internal Medicine 2008; 148:315-316

Hartgring SA, van Roon JA, Wenting-van Wijk M, Jacobs KM, Jahangier ZN, Willis CR, Bijlsma JW, Lafeber FP. Arthritis Rheumatism 2009; 60(9):2595-605. Elevated expression of interleukin-7 receptor in inflamed joints mediates interleukin-7-induced immune activation in rheumatoid arthritis.

de Boer TN, Huisman AM, Polak AA, Niehoff AG, van Rinsum AC, Saris D, Bijlsma JW, Lafeber FJ, Mastbergen SC. The chondroprotective effect of selective COX-2 inhibition in osteoarthritis: ex vivo evaluation of human cartilage tissue after in vivo treatment. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2009 Apr;17(4):482-8.