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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 470 9217
Email
simon.stebbings@otago.ac.nz
Position
Consultant Physician in Rheumatology
Department
Department of Medicine (Dunedin)
Qualifications
MB BS MMedSc FRCP(Lond) FRACP
Research summary
Rheumatology

Research

Professor Simon Stebbings' research has focused on ankylosing spondylitis and spondyloarthritis. Through national collaboration he established the multicentre Spondyloarthritis Genetics and the Environment Study (SAGE), which included a longitudinal study of outcomes in spondyloarthritis in New Zealand.

Through his membership of the International Genetics of Ankylosing Spondylitis study group he has contributed to the study of the genetic background to this common inflammatory arthritis.

Professor Stebbings is a member of the Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) and has contributed to the development of an ASAS Health Index. He is a member of the working group on management guidelines for axial spondyloarthritis for the Asia Pacific League Against Rheumatism.

Professor Stebbings has strong research links with the Department of Psychology and the School of Physiotherapy. Through collaborations with colleagues his research has investigated the importance of fatigue in rheumatic diseases, and the effectiveness of complementary therapies. He has been involved in research into the effects of smoking on arthritis and ways to encourage smoking cessation.

Publications

Kaur, G., Barclay, M., Mitchell, J., Jordan, S., & Stebbings, S. (2024). The prevalence and clinical features of leflunomide-associated peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatic disease in a New Zealand cohort. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 27, e15317. doi: 10.1111/1756-185x.15317 Journal - Research Article

Maw, A., & Stebbings, S. (2024). Acute onset atraumatic mono-arthritis of the native hip joint presenting to hospital: Incidence, causes and outcomes in a single New Zealand centre. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 27(Suppl. 2), P037. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.15172 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Peyroux, E., & Stebbings, S. (2024). Investigating the effects of disease activity and hypoxia on immune responses to gut bacteria in ankylosing spondylitis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 83(Suppl. 1), AB0977. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2024-eular.6097 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stebbings, S. (2023, November). Challenges of clinical trials in osteoarthritis: A personal journey. Keynote presentation at the Osteoarthritis Aotearoa New Zealand Research Network (Te Anga Kaikōiwi o Aotearoa) Annual Conference & the Taumata Osteoarthritis Aotearoa New Zealand Osteoarthritis Summit, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Stebbings, S., White, C., & Doyle, T. (2023). Bertolotti syndrome: An under recognized cause of inflammatory back pain? Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 82(Suppl. 1), (pp. 1754). doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2023-eular.2128 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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