Musculoskeletal conditions in underserved communities
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN99466431 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN99466431 |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 353549 |
| Funder reference number | OBF/FR-000025814 |
| Sponsor | Keele University |
| Funders | Nuffield Foundation, Versus Arthritis |
- Submission date
- 10/11/2025
- Registration date
- 29/12/2025
- Last edited
- 29/12/2025
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The number of people who have pain, from conditions like arthritis and back pain, and experience its effect on daily activities, is higher in communities that can be considered to be underserved. These are communities that often experience more poverty and are more likely to include people from a range of ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Whilst these communities have the greatest need and impact on healthcare use, less is known about them because they have not participated or been included in previous research studies. This means that healthcare is being planned for them without good information about these communities. This project will collect information in underserved communities that will be used to understand why higher levels of pain and its impact on daily lives occur and how to work with people to reduce this.
Who can participate?
People living in underserved communities aged 35 years and over.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire, and whether the information they provide can be linked with their health information. A small number of people from the communities will also be invited for more detailed information during interviews. The research team plans to work with people from underserved communities before the study, to help them ask the right questions and collect the best information. They will then work with people from underserved communities on how they can use the information to develop ways to reduce the number of people who experience pain and its impact in this community with the greatest need. The research team will also speak to government organisations and other people interested in improving health for people with musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. Versus Arthritis) to highlight their findings.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The information obtained from this study may help to provide new research evidence to inform efforts to reduce variation in musculoskeletal health at a population level. There may not be any immediate benefits for patients, although some people find it rewarding to take part in health research.
Participation in this study may help to:
• Improve NHS services that are provided for people with common musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain or osteoarthritis
• Understand the local need for treatment and which groups of people are most underserved by the NHS at present.
It is considered that there are minimal risks to participants associated with this study. One burden is the time it will take the participant to complete the survey. Participants are advised in the participant information leaflet of the time it will take to complete the survey. Participants who provide their personal details will also be assured in the leaflet that the information they provide will only be saved if they consent to take part in the study; otherwise, it will be deleted. Participants will also be advised about who will have access to the information they provide and how it will be used.
Where is the study run from?
Keele University, UK.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2026 to September 2028
Who is funding the study?
1. Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis).
2. The Nuffield Foundation, UK.
Who is the main contact?
Professor Ross Wilkie (CI), r.wilkie@keele.ac.uk
Clare Thompson (Trial Manager), c.thompson1@keele.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
University Road
Keele University
Keele, Staffordshire
ST5 5BG
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1782734845 |
|---|---|
| r.wilkie@keele.ac.uk |
Public, Scientific
Keele University CTU
Keele University
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0009-0004-2160-0619 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)1782 731428 |
| c.thompson1@keele.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Mixed methods - a cross sectional face to face survey, with qualitative interviews including co-design and policy development |
| Secondary study design | Cross sectional study |
| Scientific title | Musculoskeletal conditions in underserved populations |
| Study acronym | MSK UP |
| Study objectives | Aim 1: To obtain person-centered data on musculoskeletal health, care and social determinants of health (SDOH) from underserved communities Aim 2: To identify themes and inform a conceptual framework to understand intersectional social influences on musculoskeletal health and co-produce interventions to develop better treatment and prevention strategies to improve musculoskeletal health in underserved populations. Aim 3: To create multi-level datasets through extensive linkage to primary and secondary care electronic medical records and aggregate-level data on SDOH. Aim 4: Contribute to policy development and disseminate findings through working with local and national stakeholders |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Not yet submitted |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Musculoskeletal |
| Intervention | Cross-sectional face-to-face survey and qualitative interviews. Participants will be approached at their homes and invited to complete a face-to-face survey on their doorstep. The survey will take no more than 20 minutes and will be administered by trained interviewers using a handheld tablet. Interviewers will first confirm eligibility, targeting adults aged 35 and over. Participants will be asked to provide informed consent for their survey responses to be linked to their medical records. This linkage will enable a follow-up review of their medical records, which will occur between one and two years after the initial survey completion. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
- |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
- |
| Completion date | 30/09/2028 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Population |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 35 Years |
| Upper age limit | 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 2500 |
| Key inclusion criteria | People aged 35 years and over and able to provide informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Has declined to be contacted about research studies recorded in their electronic health record 2. Patients receiving palliative care, patients residing in a nursing home, patients with severe mental illness and patients who are recently bereaved. |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/2026 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/10/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Newcastle Under Lyme
ST5 5BG
England
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
11/11/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Nuffield Foundation, UK.
