Ida Kristin Bos-Haugen describes the appointment as professor II as an important milestone. “It is with pride and gratitude that I accept the recognition and trust that this entails. The position includes responsibility for further developing the field,” she says.
Caption: Professor is the highest academic title that is possible to achieve. From left, Professor Emeritus Tore Kvien, Clinic Manager Kjetil Bergsmark, our new professor, Ida K. Bos-Haugen, Hospital Director Kari-Jussie Lønning and the hospital's Head of Research, Espen A. Haavardsholm.
The professorship celebration took place on December 11, 2025. During the celebration, the center director at REMEDY, Espen A. Haavardsholm, highlighted her extraordinary research power, broad international involvement, and the significance of Diakonhjemmet now having a professor at the University of Oslo with strong roots in both clinical and research.
Hospital Director Kari-Jussi Lønning thanked Bos-Haugen for his efforts and emphasized that skilled professionals are crucial to the hospital's position - both as a local hospital and as a hospital preferred nationally within various fields. As an ideal hospital, Diakonhjemmet must be "a little better than the companies" to be the first choice, and recruiting top expertise is part of this.
Clinic Director, Kjetil Bergsmark, also described the professorship as a result of the research community's combined efforts, and highlighted Bos-Haugen as a "wise head with innate turbo". He pointed out that the combination of clinic and research is demanding, but that she uses the opportunities to the fullest - for the benefit of patients, the hospital and the professional community. He also highlighted the importance of support from other clinics, medical services, national and international partners, and not least the REMEDY community and the participants in the studies.
Professor Emeritus, Kåre Kvien, told how he discovered her talent early on as a medical student. She was given responsibility for a dataset, published already as a student and in the rotation service, and secured a study stay in Boston – an international professional environment at the forefront. He was visibly proud of her as he emphasized that she has seized opportunities when they have arisen, and built a strong international network that the environment has greatly benefited from.
Strengthened foundation for research and teaching
The new position gives her more concentrated time for research. The connection to the University of Oslo provides a broader professional network. Teaching is central to her.
“The position gives me valuable opportunities to share knowledge with future doctors. It also challenges me professionally and sharpens my thinking in both clinical practice and research,” she says.
New insights into hand osteoarthritis
In the professor's lecture The Way to Better Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis, Bos-Haugen presented what research has taught us so far.
Studies from Diakonhjemmet Hospital and the REMEDY Center show that the condition is common and affects the everyday lives of an increasingly large group of patients. “Yet, hand osteoarthritis is far from fully explored,” she points out.
Painful condition
The research has also expanded the understanding of pain mechanisms.
– Pain has many more causes than what we can see from radiological examinations, she says. Psychological factors and changes in the nervous system can play an important role.
She says that the link between obesity and pain in the hands is one of the more surprising findings in osteoarthritis research.
Clinical trials seeking better treatment
Bos-Haugen is leading several large studies, including MERINO and PICASSO, testing methotrexate and cortisone injections for hand osteoarthritis, respectively. She looks forward to the results, which are expected in 2027.
– They can open the door to more targeted treatment options.
In the Nor-Pain study, she and her colleagues are investigating why some patients still have pain, even when the inflammation is well controlled.
They have also applied for funding to see how semaglutide, in so-called diet pills, can contribute to weight loss and therefore less pain for these patients.
She also contributes to international treatment recommendations and sees interdisciplinary collaboration as a cornerstone of her work.
Research with significance for patients
What motivates her most is the opportunity to create real improvement in patients' lives.
“It makes sense that what we find can mean something to patients,” she says.
– If we find more effective treatment, it could provide a better life for many people living with osteoarthritis.
One of those who attended the sparkling lecture was Anna Fryxelius from REMEDY partner the Norwegian Rheumatology Association. She thanked Ida K. Bos-Haugen for her work for the benefit of patients.
