A recent study confirms a strong association between depression symptom severity and the level of disease activity and disability in adolescent patients with juvenile inflammatory arthritis. The findings underscore the need for psychological health assessment and support to be fully integrated into their routine care.
A heart monitor implant has been shown to detect potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias in patients with systemic sclerosis, a serious immune disease. The device can store ECG data automatically and pick up various heart rhythm abnormalities in over half of the cohort of SSc patients.
A study found that women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a doubled risk of pre-malignant cervical changes and potentially an increased risk of cervical cancer compared to the general female population. Regular cervical screening is crucial for women with SLE, regardless of treatment
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can selectively deliver drugs to inflamed joint tissue, improving tolerability and reducing treatment costs. This breakthrough offers new hope for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, allowing for early diagnosis and targeted therapy.
A study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are positive for the anti-CCP antibody respond better to abatacept, a T cell co-stimulation blocker. In contrast, patients without this antibody do not show significant differences in treatment response to TNF inhibitors.
A study presented at EULAR 2016 found that patients with antibodies to biological infliximab are less likely to benefit from infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13). The presence of these anti-infliximab antibodies can lead to a loss of response and increased risk of side effects. The findings suggest that antibody-positive patients should not ...
A recent study found that children with Juvenile Inflammatory Arthritis (JIA) have a significantly higher prevalence of Type 1 diabetes compared to the general population. The research, which included over 9,000 patients, suggests that understanding this link may lead to new treatments and preventative interventions for both diseases.
A newly developed PsA-comorbidity index (PsACI) can identify PsA patients at greater risk of hospitalisation and premature death. The index is expected to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
A recent study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are obese and smoke have a lower chance of achieving sustained remission after treatment. Encouraging patients to quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight could improve their symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of lifestyle factors in managing the disease.
A survey of over 3,600 adults with RA found that patients value patient participation in multidisciplinary team conferences, leading to better outcomes. Patients want more involvement in treatment planning, with 70% satisfied but desiring fewer medications and more choices.
A dose reduction strategy for TNF inhibitors can maintain good clinical response in RA patients even when the dose is reduced by one-third. Reducing the dose by two-thirds results in more flares, but these subsided when the higher dose was restarted.
A new trial found that hydroxychloroquine does not reduce pain, disability, or joint stiffness in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis. The study suggests that this medication should no longer be prescribed for this condition, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options.
Researchers identified a significant association between low DNA methylation scores and radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis. Smoking was also found to worsen disease outcomes, with smokers exhibiting more rapid joint damage than non-smokers.
Early RA patients exhibit cardiomyopathy, reduced vascular function, and increased cardiovascular mortality. Cardiac MRI revealed aortic stiffness, left ventricular volumes, and geometry changes indicative of cardiac abnormalities.
Two studies show ultrasound can identify RA patients in clinical remission with active subclinical synovitis, highlighting the risk of progressive joint damage. High-resolution ultrasound diagnoses active subclinical synovitis identifies patients who benefit from more intensive treatment.
A new method has identified children with rheumatic disease who are eligible for a life-saving vaccine. The vaccine was found to be safe and effective even in patients taking immunosuppression treatment.
Fatigue remains a debilitating problem for RA patients, with healthcare professionals often failing to measure it. New guidelines recommend validated fatigue measurements to improve patient outcomes. In contrast, treatment aimed at achieving disease remission is unlikely to be effective in addressing fatigue.
Researchers identified IL-1β as a crucial factor in blood-induced cartilage damage. A new treatment targeting IL-1β may provide protection for cartilage after trauma or bleeding due to hemophilia, potentially reducing subsequent disability.
A systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials found that biologics significantly reduce accumulated missed workdays and improve work productivity among patients with rheumatic diseases. This suggests a potential economic benefit to treating these conditions.
A study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis are less protected by the hepatitis B vaccine, highlighting increased risk of infection despite vaccination. The vaccine's efficacy was lower in RA patients compared to those without the condition.
A study by EULAR found that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improves lung strength and efficiency in AS patients, outperforming conventional treatment. After just eight weeks of IMT, patients showed improvements in chest expansion, aerobic capacity, resting pulmonary function, and ventilator efficiency.
A new iPad app, 'This Feeling!', has been shown to be preferred by 95% of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) over conventional tools. The app uses interactive technology to help children describe their pain experiences, improving communication and support for long-term management.
Research reveals that NSAIDs can inhibit ovulation in women with mild musculoskeletal pain, affecting their ability to conceive. The study found that after just 10 days of treatment, progesterone levels decreased significantly across all treatment groups.
Researchers found a unique bacterial signature in the colon of people with systemic sclerosis, which may contribute to clinical symptoms and be used for diagnosis. The study suggests that an imbalance in gut bacteria could be a feature of SSc.
A large population study found an increased risk of developing Psoriatic Arthritis among psoriasis patients exposed to physical trauma, particularly bone and joint traumas. The study suggests further investigation into the complex factors leading to arthritis in psoriasis patients may lead to modified risk.
Researchers found that low birth weight, having older siblings, and hospitalizations due to infections between ages 5-16 can predict ankylosing spondylitis. These environmental factors have been linked to other diseases, such as autoimmune conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are at increased risk of reduced fertility and pregnancy complications. EULAR's new recommendations provide guidance on supporting family planning, assisted reproduction, and healthy pregnancy in these patients.
A study presented at EULAR 2015 found that ultrasound diagnosis of tenosynovitis was superior to clinical symptoms in predicting early RA. This procedure has the potential to improve clinical outcomes by identifying the need for treatment before symptom onset.
A study found that RA patients with moderate disease activity are at risk of needing joint surgery, challenging existing treatment guidelines. The findings suggest updating disease activity cut-off points to allow moderate-disease-activity patients to receive biologics.
The tREACH trial found that combination DMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine) improve measures of disease activity and functional ability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests an earlier decrease in disease severity and improvements in functional ability compared to monotherapy.
A study found that Sjögren's Syndrome significantly increases the risk of heart attack in patients, particularly within the first year following diagnosis. The research highlights the importance of active management of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the risk of a future heart attack.
Amino acids at positions 11, 71 and 74 on the HLA-DRB1 gene identify RA patients at risk of joint damage and early death. The findings suggest that genotyping can predict disease outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
A new study reveals that musculoskeletal conditions are associated with significantly higher healthcare costs, even when compared to chronic diseases. The study found that the presence of a musculoskeletal condition was accountable for an additional 36% of healthcare costs in individuals with multiple morbidities.
Researchers developed biomarkers from whole blood gene expression profiles to predict disease status at 12 months in children with newly diagnosed JIA. The study found strong predictive properties for disease status after four months of therapy, and identified different mechanisms of response in RF positive patients.
A new study suggests cranial ultrasound is more sensitive and equally specific as temporal artery biopsy in diagnosing giant cell arteritis. The test has high predictive accuracy, making it a promising replacement for the current gold standard.
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker of response to etanercept and adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through DNA methylation analysis. The study found that epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, may provide potential biomarkers of response to anti-TNFs.
Exercise has been shown to transiently suppress local and systemic inflammation in rheumatic disease, with benefits seen in the regulation of NF-kB activation and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Regular exercise is necessary to achieve clinical efficacy and reduce the burden of rheumatic diseases.
A new study finds that most men with gout have severe erectile dysfunction, highlighting the importance of screening for this condition. The study suggests that all men with gout should be routinely screened for erectile dysfunction to detect possible silent coronary artery disease.
Ultrasound-guided injections of growth factors-containing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been shown to be no more effective than saline injections in treating recently developed epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow. However, pain scores decreased significantly over the course of the trial.
New patient empowerment initiatives unveiled at EULAR 2014 aim to reduce treatment costs, improve patient experience and increase patient involvement in treatment decisions. These initiatives include self-monitoring, online learning resources, patient decision aids and video guides.
New studies have found that daily intake of monounsaturated fatty acids is an independent predictor of remission in patients with RA, while excessive cholesterol levels increase cartilage damage in OA. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce inflammatory activity and improve function in RA patients.
A phase II study shows romosozumab significantly increases bone mineral density and bone content in the spine and hip compared to teriparatide and placebo. Romosozumab stimulates bone formation and decreases resorption by inhibiting sclerostin, a promising new treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
A recent EULAR study found that obese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher disease activity scores than non-obese patients, irrespective of their disease stage. This suggests that treatment to target protocols may result in obese patients being treated more aggressively than non-obese patients.
New data show that biosimilar CT-P13 achieves statistically similar improvements in disease activity, disability, and mobility in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis compared to its original reference product infliximab. The results demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety for CT-P13 as an alternative treatment option.
A study found that nearly three-quarters of PsA patients were on doses lower than recommended for infliximab, while a third of those on adalimumab had trough concentrations below the optimal level. Despite this, low dosing showed reasonable efficacy in both treatments.
EULAR has achieved recognition for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 initiative. The organization also launched the Foundation for Research in Rheumatology, FOREUM, which has awarded grant funding to four osteoarthritis projects.
A study identifies three microRNAs as biomarkers for predicting severe osteoarthritis, allowing for early detection and preventative measures. The findings could significantly reduce the socio-economic burden of the disease.
Lupus patients can successfully stop immunosuppressant therapy without triggering a flare by slowing down the tapering process and checking for positive serology. The study found that within two years, about 70% of clinically stable patients were able to stop their medication.
New antibody biomarkers could significantly improve diagnosis in rheumatoid arthritis by detecting the disease in patients who test negative for existing diagnostic antibodies. The study found that these biomarkers were present in both early and seronegative disease, indicating their potential to close the diagnostic gap in RA.
A nurse-led program improved patient self-assessment and led to changes in drug therapy among 89% of participants. The program also showed significant actions taken to reduce comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease, at a rate of 17.2%.