Oliver O’Sullivan
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ollieosul.bsky.social
Oliver O’Sullivan
@ollieosul.bsky.social
930 followers 610 following 130 posts
Assistant Professor, University of Nottingham | Rheumatology & Rehabilitation Medicine Doctor, British Army | NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer | A/Editor, BMJ Military Health | Three rugrats, one dograt | Sports fan | Runner | He/him
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#PhDone in #Osteoarthritis - tomorrow I start as an Assistant Professor at @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, with an @nihr.bsky.social Academic Clinical Lecturer post.

One of the criticisms I had in my viva was that my publications weren’t obvious, so…
I was today years old when I used #Pythagoras’ theorem for a real life reason. I really wish I had listened more in maths and also, I apologise to my maths teacher for claiming I’d never need to know it. Mr Anthony, you were right after all. #GCSE #furnitureandceilings
Hi team, I’ve DM’d you!
And although #Exercise has been shown to have great benefits for #OA, the evidence is solely lacking in the younger population, i.e. <45years old, and there is a heavy bias for older individuals!

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And, there are experts around the world who can help such as OPTIKNEE & @oaactionalliance.bsky.social
- we can introduce high-quality consensus evidence into our population to prevent secondary #OA

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But what can we do about it??

The more we know about risk factors, the better we can target them.

The more individuals know about their condition, the better they can manage it.

There is a lot we can do.

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We saw that this new technique and that some sub-maximal exercise influenced the concentrations of serum biomarkers - therefore, do we need to consider novel methods or 'exercise fasts' if we want to improve serum analysis?

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@f1000publishing.bsky.social
So, can we enhance this subtle signal? Perhaps a new technique might help, so we developed a novel sampling method closer to the joint in question, taking serum from local venous supply using ultrasound

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@f1000publishing.bsky.social
Also, we saw different elements of the OARSI radiographic scale had slightly different molecular patterns, suggesting different pathophysiological processes underpinning these

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What about over time? Three years on in ADVANCE Study, #OA levels increase, but predictive ability was limited. However, we did see differences in trajectories, suggesting a heightened early risk and 'clinical window of maximal intervention'
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So, what's new? In the ADVANCE Study (n=>1000,half injured ,half matched),COMP is up in in (fibrosis?!),down in knee-injury & amputees – cartilage health is vital for synthesis.Adipokines were a/w pain (phenotyping?!)& no diff between iOA and PTOA!
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@oacjournal.bsky.social
#MRI provides different data, w bone shape/position & cartilage morphology/composition giving some clues. Possibly in #PTOA, structural problems lead to compositional changes, vice versa in iOA. Heterogentity is an issue here too!

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@oacjournal.bsky.social
From a molecular perspective, 51 serum and synovial fluid biomarkers have been examined, 11 of which had some associative value to #OA in the nearly 800 injured participants included in the review. Study heterogeneity is an issue!

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@oacjournal.bsky.social
Prior to any new work starting, it was important to understand the existing literature, especially in the ‘chronic phase of PTOA’, a year or more from injury. Once all rehab pathways are complete and people have returned to play, what can we see?
In the British military, electronic health records under-report #OA, many factors inc EHR-limitations, diagnostic challenges and Service-related issues. We need to be mindful it occurs <45YO, especially in male, especially after injury!

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OA is complex, so I wanted provide a (simple) primer of what happens, why it happens and how we talk about it. It is important our termininology is specific to minimise generalisations. The more we know about risk factors, the better we can target them.

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Firstly, the population at risk and why #military individuals are at higher risk of #OA, especially #PTOA. We need to move from a management to prevention paradigm, and we need to improve identification tools such as biomarkers…

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#PhDone in #Osteoarthritis - tomorrow I start as an Assistant Professor at @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, with an @nihr.bsky.social Academic Clinical Lecturer post.

One of the criticisms I had in my viva was that my publications weren’t obvious, so…
GET IN! Well done Inspirational Lionesses! #ItsStayedHome #EngSpa #Euro2025
Thanks - I just missed this grad period cut-off, so will do it in Dec, but actually, by then I’ll be over the fatigue and be able to relish in the joy. Congrats right back at you, I hope it was a magical day!
For some serendipitous reasons, I seem to have combined recent PhD landmarks (viva, corrections resubmitted, PhD awarding) with major music concerts, so not much sleep (yet) but incredible throwback to my undergrad 20 years ago. It’s been ace!
Thanks! I thought I would be looking for the dancing clowns firing bottles of champagne from confetti cannons by now… but all I want is a nap! Maybe I’ll go and find the clowns when I graduate…
Delighted to say; this time last week I was told my corrections were approved, and therefore, #PhDone

It will surprise literally *no-one* if I say it wasn’t easy and my overwhelming emotion is tired.

And relief.

But mostly tired.

#AcademicSky #PhD @uniofnottingham.bsky.social
*FINAL CALL*

This initial needs assessment for medical leadership development for military trainees will close at the end of July, excellent engagement so far, >120 responders, if you / someone you work with wants to add to it, please don’t miss out. Takes 2 min (genuinely, I’ve seen the numbers!)
Reposted by Oliver O’Sullivan
Know someone who might be interested in the DRN? Please share the attached flyer with them!