Researchers at the LUMC receive a grant of 10 million euros from the European Research Council for their research into the prevention of rheumatism. They are building on their discovery that patients who now have rheumatism had saccharified antibodies in their blood in the years before they developed symptoms.
The researchers want to tackle those antibodies. “If the factories that make these antibodies are inhibited, we expect that rheumatism can be prevented,” says Professor of Rheumatology Tom Huizinga.
About 270,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. That is a chronic inflammation of the joints. The symptoms are very disabling. Due to the pain and stiffness in the joints, people are often unable to work.
health damage
The researchers have been working on preventing rheumatism for about twenty years and believe that it has a chance of success. “It is wonderful that the Research Council is also aware of this,” says Huizinga. “We expect to come a long way with this large subsidy.”
ReumaNederland is pleased with the news. “Early diagnosis and early treatment are one of our important themes,” says Corné Baatenburg de Jong, deputy director of ReumaNederland. “People with starting (rheumatic) complaints must receive a good diagnosis and the right care as soon as possible. So that they know where they stand and unnecessary damage to health can be prevented. Or even better: so that the disease does not develop and maybe even can will be prevented.”