By Torben Haugaard Jensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.
Photo: Jacob Ljørring

Many over the age of 50 will develop osteoarthritis. It is considered one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. 

According to the Danish Health Authority, the associated costs with osteoarthritis is approximately DKK 15-20 billion each year in treatment, early retirement and long-term sick leave. Chronic pain is the biggest problem for patients with osteoarthritis.

Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University has devoted his work as a researcher to pain mechanisms in patients with musculoskeletal disorders with a special focus on osteoarthritis.

One of Kristian's goals is that his research makes a difference for patients. Kristian’s work has contributed to a better understanding of pain mechanisms and has opened the doors to the development of personalized pain medicine.

Through extensive international studies, Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen has found that not all patients respond equally to traditional treatments. He has identified subgroups of patients with increased pain sensitivity and these patients seems to respond worse to standard pain therapies.  

The Danish Rheumatism Association has just honoured Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen for this work. He receives the research award for his results and his dedication to research. And Kristian is thrilled by the recognition.

"It is a great honour to receive this award from the largest and most important organization for patients with osteoarthritis. It confirms that the work done by our team has had a meaningful impact on patients," says Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen, who has focused on osteoarthritis research for more than ten years.

Contributes to pain treatment for thousands of people

The Danish Rheumatism Association's Young Researcher Talent Award is a well-deserved recognition of Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen's work, says Lars Hvilsted Rasmussen, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

"Kristian's research has led to new perspectives in pain treatment and potentially life-changing solutions for thousands of people. At the Faculty of Medicine, our mission is that doctors and engineers solve complex problems together. The work that Kristian and his team have done is an excellent example of exactly that," says Lars Hvilsted Rasmussen.

Throughout his ten years of research, Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen has had a productive collaboration with the Danish Rheumatism Association and its local and regional departments, and he looks forward to continuing the fruitful partnership that is making a difference for patients.

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.