Published on: 08,Jun 2026

Aisha Mazhar, Policy Manager, Arthritis UK

Aisha Mazhar shares the key findings from Arthritis UK’s new report, The Silent Treatment: Why an Arthritis Diagnosis Matters, which makes the case for a timely diagnosis. It also recognises the importance of a personalised and holistic diagnosis conversation to set people up for the road ahead.

Over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK are living with a form of arthritis. Despite arthritis affecting so many lives, people face barriers to accessing the care and support they need.

As part of Arthritis Awareness Month , Arthritis UK launched The Silent Treatment: Why an Arthritis Diagnosis Matters, which shows that barriers to care are present right from the start, with many experiencing delays to a diagnosis.

Delays throughout the diagnosis pathway

While arthritis is associated with pain and stiffness, it can also cause fatigue and affect people’s mental health and ability to work. As people wait for a diagnosis, they are without treatment and support that could help them manage their symptoms. A delayed diagnosis can also lead to further complications and make the condition harder to treat.

Additionally, arthritis often coexists with other long-term health conditions. Therefore, early diagnosis of arthritis accompanied by effective care and treatment could help to mitigate the risk of developing other long-term health conditions.

However, currently people face delays throughout the diagnosis pathway. There are delays to diagnostic tests, referrals and appointments, and limited availability of health professionals and services to deliver the multidisciplinary support people need.

Diagnosis should be more than just a label: personalised information and shared decision making

When people do finally receive a diagnosis, life ahead with a long-term condition can feel daunting. Importantly, a diagnosis should not just be a medical process or conversation, it’s also an opportuning to provide the reassurance, communication and support people need to understand and manage their condition. It’s one of the most important first steps in a person’s journey of living with a long-term condition. Therefore, it is critical for the diagnosis to not only be timely but framed to set someone up for the road ahead.

Every person’s needs at the point of diagnosis, and what they may need support with, will differ. Therefore, a care and support plan developed by a health professional, in partnership with the person with arthritis, can encompass all the key elements of their care that are important to them. This could cover mental health support and other elements such as pain relief, physical activity, self-management, treatment options and signposting to third sector support. Accessing third sector support means that people can access a holistic package of information to support themselves, as arthritis can have a wider impact on people’s lives.

Personalised care in action

Arthritis UK welcomes the Government’s commitment to better support people to understand and manage their condition from day one, through funding for Diagnosis Connect. This service will ensure patients can be referred directly to charities and support organisations as soon as they are diagnosed, to complement their NHS care. Given the burden associated with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions on both the individual and system, the inclusion of MSK conditions should be a priority.

The barriers around an arthritis diagnosis also demonstrate a broader issue. At a system level, MSK conditions lack the strategic prioritisation, national strategy, dedicated local or regional leadership and sustained infrastructure.

Urgent action is needed now to improve the rate and experience of diagnosis for people with arthritis. People with arthritis should not be left in pain, in the dark, or given the silent treatment.

You can read the full report here