Irina Perjar: Osteoarthritis Research Experiences BACK

Published by AFAR

My primary focus this summer is the relationship between hand osteoarthritis (OA) and certain serum and urine biomarkers that might prove useful in predicting, diagnosing, and monitoring OA. As an MSTAR scholar, I am currently working with Dr. Joanne M. Jordan and Dr. Amanda E. Nelson of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The current gold standard in determining the state of an individual’s joints is radiographs, which are sometimes not particularly sensitive and can only detect joint damage after it has occurred. Biomarkers would be a welcome addition to a physician’s toolkit in OA management because they may allow us to identify those individuals at higher risk for OA, or give greater flexibility in monitoring the course or disease or success of treatment. Although OA is not exclusively a disease of old age, the burden of the joint disorder disproportionately falls on the geriatric population. I chose to work on this project because it provides a perfect intersection of my current interests in medicine: geriatrics, radiology, and now rheumatology. On a more personal note, I have a family history of OA and am excited to contribute new knowledge to a field that is close to heart.

The past few weeks of working on my project have consisted of reading, reading, and more reading about OA and related rheumatologic disorders. My ultimate goal this summer is to turn my project into a publication, and I am fortunate to have support from my PIs, colleagues, as well as a very knowledgeable statistician. One of the first lessons I have learned while working on this project is that data management is critical. The data I will analyze is already collected, but defining the proper data sets and variables can prove tricky.

Some of my favorite experiences this summer have come in the clinic. I am shadowing my preceptor and other physicians in rheumatology clinic, which has drastically improved my interview and musculoskeletal exam skills. Another bonus of this experience is my increasing familiarity with a specific field in medicine, and I’ve realized that I like knowing a topic thoroughly rather than knowing bits and pieces of many topics. Our MSTAR coordinator has also arranged for me to shadow in UNC’s Gero-Psychiatric unit, and my first day in Gero-Psych was very different from any clinical experience I’ve had before. It was eye-opening to realize how intertwined physical malaise and emotional/psychiatric health can be, especially in those who become disabled or can no longer care for themselves.

One of the best components of the MSTAR program is that the UNC site has a few out-of-state students in addition to many UNC medical students. I have enjoyed stepping out of the UNC bubble (although I do love my classmates!) and getting to know these students. Here’s to hoping that the rest of the summer is as good as the first half was!

Irina Perjar
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

 

"Diary of an MSTAR Student" follows scholars in the 2011 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program, highlighting their summer experiences. As they continue their path of research, training and clinical practice, read their daily thoughts at www.afar.org/mstarblog. New diary entries are posted every day, so check back soon.