Ida Kristin Bos-Haugen (PhD) new professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo

Ahead of the professorship, she has been asked to reflect on the path she took – and where the subject is headed next.

📍 The professorship celebration will take place 🕞 Thursday, December 11th at 3:30 PM in the DBL auditorium (Diakonveien 18, 0370 Oslo)

Please take nine minutes to get to know Ida Kristin Bos-Haugen and her research better: 

Recognition – and clear responsibility

– I see the professor title as an important recognition of the work that has been done. At the same time, it gives me a responsibility to develop the field further. I am both proud and grateful for the trust I have received, says Ida Kristin Bos-Haugen.

The new position gives her more consistent time for research in a busy everyday life.

– The position also makes me less dependent on external funding to conduct long-term research. The affiliation with the University of Oslo also opens up a broader professional network and provides good opportunities to convey knowledge to future doctors.

She experiences teaching as an important part of both her own development and her role as a researcher.

– The interaction with students is particularly valuable. Teaching and preparing for teaching challenges me professionally and makes me even more aware in both clinical practice and research.

Professor's lecture: The path to better treatment of hand osteoarthritis

In her professorial lecture, she will take as her starting point the field she has helped to build.

– The main theme will be “The path to better treatment of hand osteoarthritis.” I will show what we have achieved, what challenges remain, and what directions we see for future treatment.

The choice of theme is not accidental.

– Hand osteoarthritis is still a little-explored, even though it is a clinically very important field. New knowledge has the potential to improve the everyday lives of many patients.

A field in strong development

Bos-Haugen describes hand osteoarthritis as a rapidly developing field – and with a great need for more knowledge.

– The field of hand osteoarthritis is interdisciplinary and in strong development. When I started, knowledge was limited, and it has been exciting to help shape the field. We see strong international commitment and increased collaboration. A major challenge remains the lack of effective treatments that can modify the disease.

She emphasizes that osteoarthritis is more than "wear and tear."

– Osteoarthritis is complex – an intricate interplay between biomechanical, inflammatory and metabolic factors. Many people perceive osteoarthritis as a natural aging process, without the need for active follow-up. This leads to many patients having unnecessary problems. We should take this more seriously.

From rheumatological thinking to new osteoarthritis research

Her background as a rheumatologist has left a clear mark on her research.

– As a rheumatologist, I am used to seeing inflammation as a central disease mechanism. This perspective has also influenced my approach to osteoarthritis research.

Traditionally, osteoarthritis has been classified as “non-inflammatory.” Bos-Haugen and her colleagues have helped to nuance this picture.

– Although osteoarthritis was previously seen as a disease without inflammation, our research has shown that joint inflammation is common. We have also shown that this has a major impact on pain and how the disease progresses.

This has been crucial for testing treatments such as methotrexate for erosive hand osteoarthritis and cortisone injections into the thumb's root joint.

These treatments are not currently recommended in guidelines.

“These interventions have not been recommended until now because the documentation is limited. However, our research can help clarify what place they should have in treatment.”

Research for patients

For Bos-Haugen, it is crucial that the research has significance for those it affects.

– I really appreciate the interdisciplinary collaboration: In our group, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational therapists work closely together. This provides many perspectives on the patient's issues and makes the research more relevant and holistic.

The experience that research actually leads to change is an important driving force.

– It is felt rewarding to conduct research where the results will contribute to better treatment.

New research questions: Weight, pain and better treatment

The research questions she is currently interested in range from guidelines to new treatment options.

– Among other things, I lead an international group that is developing new treatment guidelines for osteoarthritis – an exciting and challenging project. I am also interested in finding new potential treatments for hand osteoarthritis.

The connection between weight and osteoarthritis is one of the tracks she wants to follow further.

– Medications that cause weight loss have been shown to work well for people with knee osteoarthritis. Now we want to investigate whether they can also help patients who have hand osteoarthritis and are also overweight or obese.

Nor-Hand: Unique insight into pain from hand osteoarthritis

As a project manager, she has been central to several large studies, with Nor-Hand being one of the most important.

– The Nor-Hand study is a unique observational study of patients with hand osteoarthritis. The study has led to four completed doctoral degrees, one that is still ongoing, and more than 20 scientific articles.

The study has provided new understanding of pain in osteoarthritis.

– We have learned that pain is multifactorial, complex and multifaceted, with psychological factors playing an important role. We have also shown that changes in the nervous system, with increased sensitivity to stimuli, play a role in much of the pain patients experience. This is called sensitization.

Another important observation has been related to weight.

"More surprising was the clear association between overweight or obesity and pain in the hands. We have also shown that joint inflammation clearly contributes to increased pain and progression of the disease over time."

MERINO and PICASSO: Clinical studies that can change practice

The MERINO study is testing methotrexate in erosive hand osteoarthritis.

– The MERINO study is a clinical trial where we are testing the effect of methotrexate in erosive hand osteoarthritis. After four years of recruiting patients, we have finally recruited all 163 patients to the study, and we will follow up on the patients over the next year.

The PICASSO study examines a different approach.

– The PICASSO study is a clinical study being conducted at six Norwegian hospitals. This is a large study where we are testing the effect of cortisone injections compared with saline injections and an occupational therapy intervention. This is a large study where 354 patients will be included. So far, about 75 percent of the patients have been included, and we expect to complete recruitment in June 2026.

Expectations for the results are high.

– The results from the MERINO study and the PICASSO study are expected in 2027, and it will be very exciting. Both studies have the ambition to help influence international treatment guidelines and provide better treatment.

Nor-Pain: When the inflammation is reduced – but the pain persists

In 2025, data collection began for the Nor-Pain study, which focuses on pain in inflammatory joint diseases.

– In November 2025, we started data collection in the Nor-Pain study, and it is gratifying to see how well we have gotten off to a good start. This is a study of patients with inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis.

Today's treatment can do a lot – but not everything.

– With today's treatment, we have good opportunities to reduce joint inflammation. However, we see that patients can still experience pain, and some patients do not respond to treatment. The goal of the study is to investigate what contributes to pain, such as sensitization and cognitive factors. The knowledge will be used to provide a more comprehensive treatment for some patients.

International projects and "living" guidelines

Bos-Haugen is also involved in a number of international projects.

– In addition, I am involved in several international projects. One of them is the RELIEF study, which investigates the effect of anti-inflammatory gel on hand osteoarthritis. I have also been involved in APPROACH, a completed study on knee osteoarthritis. I am now working on MDR-RA, a planned study on arthritis.

She leads several international groups working to improve the basis for treatment.

– I lead an international group that is developing new classification criteria for early knee osteoarthritis. In addition, I lead an international group that will create new guidelines for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Both projects are being carried out under the auspices of OARSI, the global organization for osteoarthritis.

– Developing criteria for early knee osteoarthritis is absolutely fundamental in order to be able to offer treatment to patients with osteoarthritis before joint destruction becomes too pronounced. The hope is that it can contribute to more effective treatment and prevent problems in the long term.

She points out that new studies must have consequences for practice.

– In recent years, several exciting studies have been published on osteoarthritis. Some of them are about methotrexate and about medications that cause weight loss. However, these treatments are not currently recommended in international guidelines. More patients should have access to effective treatment. Therefore, it is important that global organizations update their guidelines when new, important studies are published.

Therefore, working with "living" guidelines is important.

– OARSI is therefore working to develop "living" guidelines, so that we can quickly provide patients and healthcare professionals with access to the most up-to-date knowledge.

Interdisciplinary collaboration – locally and internationally

Interdisciplinarity is evident when she describes what drives research forward.

– Interdisciplinary collaboration is fundamental to our work. In PICASSO, for example, occupational therapists are responsible for data collection at the six centers – their clinical expertise is invaluable.

Collaboration across professional groups provides a broader view of patients.

– The collaboration with physiotherapists, psychological specialists and occupational therapists enriches the research by providing multiple perspectives on treatment and follow-up. My international network, which I have built through conferences and collaboration over time, has been important. It has been crucial for developing and implementing projects that also have international significance.

Hand osteoarthritis and hope

– After the professor's lecture, I hope that the audience sees that hand osteoarthritis is an important disease that needs more attention. I also hope that they understand that our research has already provided new knowledge that may eventually lead to better treatment.

The goal is both to provide insight and create hope.

– I want the audience to gain a clearer understanding of what is possible today, and what limitations exist. I also hope that they will believe in what can be possible in the future.

A demanding but meaningful balance

Her daily life includes both clinical work, research and teaching.

– I currently have a good combination of clinical work, research and teaching. This makes my working life varied and meaningful, but also demanding with many balls in the air. It is a lifestyle that I enjoy and have mostly mastered.

To make the whole thing work, free time is important.

– When I'm not working, I prioritize family and physical activity, which helps me find a good balance in life.

Motivation and expectations for the future

Bos-Haugen describes his motivation as closely linked to the patients – and to the professional community around him.

– What motivates me is meeting patients and the feeling that the research we do can benefit them. I am also motivated by working with talented colleagues, planning new projects and contributing to the education of future doctors.

She is particularly looking forward to the results of the ongoing studies and work on guidelines.

– I particularly look forward to the results from the MERINO and PICASSO studies in 2027. I also look forward to further work on international guidelines and the opportunity to test new measures that can improve the quality of life for patients with osteoarthritis.

Everyone is ❤️ welcome to the professor celebration. Due to catering, the event committee asks for registration.