PIOKNEER V1 05-May-2026
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PrIOritising early detection of KNEE osteoaRthritis – PIOKNEER
IRAS ID
367966
Contact name
Rosemary Hollick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition caused by joint damage, most often affecting the knees. It is a major cause of pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Current treatments focus on lifestyle changes, pain relief, and joint replacement, but there are no drugs that can slow or stop joint damage. This is partly because OA is usually detected only once damage is visible on x-rays—by which time it is often too advanced for treatments to be effective. There is also no accurate way to measure whether new treatments are working. Detecting early changes in the knee and tracking them over time is therefore crucial and has been identified by our patient partners as a key priority.
Building on our pilot work, the PIOKNEER study aims to develop new ways to detect and monitor early knee OA (KOA) using imaging and biological techniques. We will recruit people aged 35–70 years with knee pain but no visible x-ray changes, identified through a population survey, and follow them for four years. Participants will have annual knee x-rays, questionnaires about their symptoms, and scans using a new technology developed in Aberdeen called Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI), which provides detailed information about cartilage structure. Blood and urine samples will also be collected to measure biological indicators of joint damage.
A small group of participants with stable or rapidly worsening knee OA will be invited to undergo knee biopsies to study how changes in the synovium (the joint lining) may drive early damage. We will also explore people’s experiences of living with early-stage KOA using interviews, focus groups and workshops, to identify gaps in care, and co-produce guidance to support timely access to services.
PIOKNEER will contribute to international efforts to enable earlier diagnosis and better targeting of treatments for people with KOA.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
26/WS/0072
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion