Table 1.
Ranked research priorities
| Rank | Question | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How can we best prevent or reduce the progression/worsening of disease in people living with arthritis and rheumatic diseases? | 1352 |
| 2 | Can we improve early diagnosis of arthritis and rheumatic diseases? What impact would earlier diagnosis have on quality of life? | 1207 |
| 3 | How can pain be better managed for those living with arthritis and rheumatic diseases? What factors influence access to adequate pain relief and pain management? | 1199 |
| 4 | Can we develop or improve medications to treat rheumatic diseases? | 945 |
| 5 | What impact does exercise have on the risk, prevention or management of arthritis and rheumatic diseases? | 881 |
| 6 | Can we improve our knowledge of the biology of rheumatic diseases to make better treatments or treatment choices? | 866 |
| 7 | What impact does diet have in the management of rheumatic diseases? | 866 |
| 8 | How can we improve the diagnosis of arthritis and rheumatic diseases? | 865 |
| 9 | What impact does arthritis and rheumatic disease have on mental health? How can this best be treated, managed or improved? | 864 |
| 10 | What role does genetics play in the risk of having a rheumatic disease? Can genetics help to guide treatment or management strategies? | 785 |
| 11 | What influences speed of diagnosis, access to consultants and treatment decisions in Ireland? Does it vary by geography, socioeconomic factors or hospital group? | 709 |
| 12 | What role does non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as lifestyle changes, have in disease management? | 681 |
| 13 | Can we improve self-management and disease monitoring? Does improved disease monitoring or investment in self-management strategies lead to improved outcomes and quality of life for people living with rheumatic diseases? | 676 |
| 14 | Would electronic health records improve delivery of healthcare and disease management? Would patient access to their own electronic health records improve informed choice and doctor-patient partnerships in disease management? | 650 |
| 15 | Do patients receive clear communication in relation to the treatment and or management of disease? How might this be improved? | 618 |
| 16 | Is there a relationship between rheumatic disease and female sex hormones, fertility, menstruation or pregnancy? | 603 |
| 17 | Does surgery or joint replacement lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life? | 586 |
| 18 | What is the financial burden associated with rheumatic disease and self-management in Ireland? | 586 |
| 19 | What is the impact of arthritis and rheumatic diseases on employment, careers and schooling in Ireland? | 584 |
| 20 | Can national government policy improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with rheumatic diseases in Ireland? What can Irish policy makers learn from other countries to improve policy in Ireland? | 536 |
| 21 | What environmental factors have a role to play in arthritis and rheumatic diseases? Can we use this knowledge to create a healthier community or environment to live in? | 518 |
| 22 | Does access to health services and community support depend on where you live? If so, what is the impact of this? | 508 |
| 23 | What role do lifestyle factors play in the risk of developing a rheumatic disease? | 506 |
| 24 | What is the impact of comorbidities (other co-occurring medical conditions) in rheumatic diseases? Do different treatment strategies affect the risk of comorbidities? | 503 |
| 25 | Is there adequate access to relevant, reliable information, help and support for people living with a rheumatic disease? | 492 |
| 26 | What impact does involving people living with rheumatic diseases in healthcare policy, decisions and research have? | 487 |
| 27 | How does Ireland compare to other EU countries in terms of treatment, outcomes and quality of life for people living with arthritis and rheumatic disease? Can we use this knowledge to improve quality of life for people living with rheumatic diseases in Ireland? | 468 |
| 28 | What factors influence patient-access to medications and non-pharmaceutical treatments? | 456 |
| 29 | Would better public awareness of rheumatic diseases improve early diagnosis or disease prevention? | 439 |
| 30 | How does Ireland compare to other EU countries in the management and treatment of arthritis and rheumatic diseases? How does Irish policy, healthcare spending, resources and staffing related to arthritis and rheumatic diseases compare to other European countries? | 436 |
| 31 | How can arthritis and rheumatic disease be better classified? Does better classification improve disease outcome and or prognosis? | 422 |
| 32 | How common is arthritis and rheumatic diseases in Ireland? Is there any association between where you live and risk of being diagnosed with a rheumatic disease? | 393 |
| 33 | Are there adequate supports for treatment and self-management of arthritis and rheumatic diseases in those with intellectual disabilities? | 374 |
| 34 | What is the impact of education on disease management? | 367 |
| 35 | Does sex or gender have an impact on the choice of effective treatment strategies? Is there a difference in disease response between the sexes? | 325 |
| 36 | How does Covid-19 impact arthritis and rheumatic disease management in Ireland? Are these impacts similar to that of other European countries? | 321 |
| 37 | What is the socioeconomic impact of rheumatic diseases in Ireland? | 266 |
| 38 | Does familial support lead to improved disease outcomes and quality of life? | 207 |