START
Early diagnosis by recently arising arthritis
Project Manager
PhD fellow
ABOUT THE PROJECT
START is a clinical study that follows patients with recent onset of arthritis. The goal is to find early signs, markers, of the disease, for example in blood tests or samples from synovial fluid and synovial membrane. This information may in the future help to make the correct diagnosis more quickly and provide more targeted treatment.
Early treatment can help reduce pain, prevent joint damage, and preserve good function.
The study also aims to provide new knowledge about the mechanisms behind how arthritis develops.
WHO CAN JOIN?
The study will include adults with recent swelling in one or more joints, who are referred to the rheumatology department at Diakonhjemmet Hospital.
If they have had the swelling for less than 12 weeks and the swelling is not directly due to injury, they can participate in the study.
Patients can also participate in the study with a known joint disease, as long as the new swelling may indicate a new disease.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
The study is being conducted at the same time that the patients are followed, as usual, at a rheumatology outpatient clinic, as often and for as long as needed.
In addition, patients must answer digital questionnaires at each visit.
Extra vials of blood samples will be taken for special analyses and to be frozen in a biobank for use in research.
Some patients will have the opportunity to take a tissue sample from the synovial membrane. This is done in a regular examination room under local anesthesia.
At the start of the study, the patient is asked to take a stool sample at home, which is sent to the hospital in a separate container.
You will participate in the study for 12 months. It is possible to extend participation for certain diagnoses.
The four scheduled doctor consultations are on the day of inclusion in the study and after three, six and 12 months. In addition, there is a simple blood test check after one month, without a doctor consultation.
Read articles about START:
08.01.2026: Want to understand arthritis from the start
17.10.2025: START study: 100 patients included
20.02.2025: START - groundbreaking research on arthritis