EULAR 2026: 5 Key Breakthroughs in Arthritis and Rheumatology

As a consultant rheumatologist, I always make sure I stay up to date with major international research so I can keep my patients informed about the latest advances in arthritis care.

The EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) 2026 conference in London brought together leading experts from around the world to share new research on arthritis, autoimmune disease, and emerging treatments.

There were literally hundreds of studies presented across the 4-day conference, ranging from lifestyle changes to the latest therapies in rheumatology – some so new that they have only been investigated in a handful of patients.

In this article, I’ve summarised five key updates from EULAR 2026 that are particularly relevant to my patients.

What Is EULAR?

EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) is one of the most important global rheumatology conferences, where doctors and medical professionals from around the world meet and share research.

Each year, alongside major meetings such as:

ACR (American College of Rheumatology)
BSR (British Society for Rheumatology)
it helps provide new evidence that directly influences how arthritis is treated in everyday clinical practice.

I have also presented at these conferences myself.

Read on for the key takeaways.

1. Exercise Is Safe and Essential for All Types of Arthritis

A common misconception is that when you have arthritis, exercise is a bad idea. The truth is quite the opposite.

The 2026 EULAR guidelines for Physical Activity (PA) and Sedentary Behaviour (SB) position movement as a central and necessary part of standard care. It is considered both safe and essential for patients with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis.

This should be spread across the week and include a mix of strength training, reduced sitting, and regular movement throughout the day.

Overall, we are moving away from what we used to call the “weekend warrior” – somebody who is sedentary during the week but then very active at the weekend. There also appears to be additional benefit from breaking up long periods of sitting.

Key benefits of exercise for arthritis:

• Reduces joint pain and stiffness
• Improves mobility and function
• Boosts energy and mental wellbeing

Updated recommendations for exercise with arthritis - patients should aim for:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week
• Strength training at least twice weekly
• Regular movement throughout the day
• Reduced sitting time
  

Important principles:

• Exercise is safe for inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Activity should be tailored to your symptoms and energy levels
• You do not have to do this all at once. Small, intermittent bursts of movement throughout the day still add up and are highly encouraged

Key takeaway for exercise in arthritis:

Modern rheumatology no longer advises “resting” arthritis. Instead, the focus is on helping patients stay active safely and consistently.

While these guidelines discuss aerobic and resistance training, the key message really boils down to doing something you enjoy and can stay consistent with.

2. New Drug Comparison in Psoriatic Arthritis: BE-BOLD Trial

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis associated with skin psoriasis. While up to 50% of patients respond to DMARD (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) therapy, a significant proportion do not.

When this happens, patients are moved onto what is known as advanced therapy. These drugs target specific molecules in the immune system that drive inflammation.

Choosing which advanced therapy to use can be tricky, as it is rare for these treatments to be compared directly. This is why this high-quality trial is particularly important.

The BE-BOLD trial compared two advanced therapies, randomising 553 patients to receive either:

• Bimekizumab
• Risankizumab

These drugs target different immune pathways. Both act on interleukins, which are molecules that regulate the immune system and drive inflammation in psoriatic arthritis.

Results of the BE-BOLD trial:

After 16 weeks, 49% of patients taking Bimekizumab achieved a 50% improvement in symptoms, compared with 38% taking Risankizumab.

What the BE-BOLD trial results mean:

Overall, Bimekizumab may offer stronger and faster symptom relief in psoriatic arthritis.

That said, this is only one trial, and it will be important to see whether these benefits persist beyond 16 weeks. As always, treatment decisions remain highly personalised. For example, Risankizumab can be used in patients who also have inflammatory bowel disease, whereas Bimekizumab can not.

3. Weight Loss Medications Improve Arthritis Outcomes

We have all seen the amount of coverage weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic are getting in the media.

Researchers in a major clinical study called TOGETHER-PsA wanted to understand what happens when you treat both inflammation and body weight at the same time.

The trial focused on adults with active psoriatic arthritis who were overweight or obese. The average BMI was 38, with an average weight of over 100 kg.

Each group included over 130 patients. They received either:

• Ixekizumab (an advanced therapy targeting interleukin-17A)
• Ixekizumab plus Tirzepatide (a GLP-1 weight-loss medication known in the UK as Mounjaro)

Key findings from the TOGETHER-PsA trial:

In the group receiving both medications:

• More patients achieved a 50% improvement in joint pain and swelling
• There was greater improvement in skin psoriasis
• Patients successfully lost 10% or more of their body weight, which helps reduce pressure on joints
• No new safety concerns were identified

Why the TOGETHER-PsA trial matters:

Excess weight can worsen arthritis and reduce treatment effectiveness. This study suggests that targeting both weight and inflammation together leads to significantly better outcomes.

What remains unclear is whether these improvements are purely due to weight loss, or whether drugs like Mounjaro also have direct anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Effects of Menopause on Rheumatoid Arthritis

As a rule of thumb, most rheumatological conditions are more common in women. However, the impact of menopause on disease activity has not been studied in detail.

The BIOPURE registry tracked over 2,600 patients in Italy with rheumatoid arthritis, examining the effect of menopause in women starting advanced treatments.

Key findings of the BIOPURE registery:

More severe disease after menopause:

• Higher levels of autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP)
• Greater rates of joint damage (erosions)
• Increased inflammation markers (CRP)

Reduced response to treatment:

• Lower remission rates
  • 53.6% in postmenopausal women vs 64.9% in premenopausal women
  • Importantly, remission was still possible if patients were treated early and appropriately

Why does menopause cause more severe disease in rheumatoid arthritis?

Oestrogen appears to have natural anti-inflammatory effects. As levels fall during menopause, inflammation can increase and arthritis may become more active.

However, it is not yet clear whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) improves outcomes.

Key takeaway from the BIPURE registry and rheumatoid arthritis after menopause:

Arthritis may become more difficult to control after menopause. 
However, early and appropriate treatment remains effective, and early intervention is still key. 

5. CAR T-Cell Therapy: A Potential Future Cure?

For my final highlight, I have chosen to focus not on a single study, but on a new and evolving treatment approach: CAR T-cell therapy.

This advanced treatment works by reprogramming your immune system to target the cells causing autoimmune disease.

How CAR T-Cell Therapy works:

In autoimmune conditions, the process follows a targeted, step-by-step approach:

• Cell collection: A patient’s white blood cells are collected via a process called leukapheresis
• Genetic modification: T cells are engineered to carry a synthetic receptor (CAR)
• Targeting: These cells are designed to recognise markers such as CD19 or BCMA on B cells
• Preparation: Chemotherapy is used to prepare the immune system
• Infusion: The modified cells are reintroduced to destroy the harmful immune cells

There are promising results from early CAR T-Cell studies.

Severe lupus CAR T-Cell study (CARLYSLE Study) results:

• Rapid improvement in disease activity
• Strong results in patients with kidney involvement

Rheumatoid arthritis CAR T-Cell study (COMPARE Trial) results :

• Significant reduction in inflammation
• Over 90% reduction in harmful antibodies
• Many patients achieved drug-free remission

Scleroderma CAR T-Cell study results:

• Halted skin thickening and lung disease progression
• Evidence of a deep “immune system reset”

What CAR T-Cell therapy means for the future of autoimmune treatment:

CAR T-cell therapy is still in its early stages. It is complex, expensive, and not without risk, but it shows real potential to transform – and possibly even cure – severe autoimmune disease in the future.

Final Thoughts - the key messages from EULAR 2026 are clear

• Exercise is a core treatment for arthritis – regardless of type
• New biologic drugs continue to improve outcomes, and we are finally seeing head-to-head studies
• Weight management medications may also help control rheumatic disease
• Hormonal changes influence disease severity
• Advanced therapies such as CAR T-cells may reshape the future of treatment
  

  Book a Rheumatology Consultation with Dr Simran Grewal

  If you found these updates helpful and are experiencing:
• 
  
• Joint pain or swelling
• Morning stiffness
• Psoriasis with joint symptoms
• Worsening symptoms around menopause

I offer specialist rheumatology consultations at London Independent Hospital and The Blackheath Hospital, with a focus on accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment.