Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) study reveals a protective effect of oily fish intake on developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a 20-30% reduced risk. Psychosocial stress and smoking, however, increase RA risk through dose-dependent mechanisms.
A new surgical technique called joint distraction has been shown to promote cartilage repair in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis. The study found that patients experienced significant improvements in functional ability and pain scores, with cartilage volume and thickness increasing by up to 50% and 40%, respectively.
The prevalence of US osteoprotic hip fracture hospitalizations decreased significantly from 1988 to 2005, from 428 per 100,000 population to 328 per 100,000 in 2005, a decline of 25%. This decrease is attributed to improved awareness, screening, early diagnosis, and treatment.
A new study found that women with severe SLE who received a 6-month course of cyclophosphamide followed by mycophenolate mofetil treatment had preserved ovarian function and fertility. Disease activity was equally controlled in both groups, but patients treated with long-course CYC pulses had a higher risk of amenorrhea.
A new two-week self-management programme significantly reduces healthcare visits, pain scores, and health distress in arthritis patients with chronic pain. The programme's benefits were sustained for six months with continued improvements up to a year later.
A new study found that low hand bone mineral density is a significant predictor of mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Bone mineral density measured by digital X-ray radiogrammetry was as effective as established means like radiographic damage and functional disability in predicting mortality.
Adalimumab therapy shows promise in treating ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis patients who have failed other treatments. After 12 weeks of treatment, AS patients experienced a mean reduction in BASDAI of -2.4, while RA patients showed a mean reduction in DAS28 of -1.9.
A new study reveals that patients with higher percentages of southern European ancestry are more likely to experience severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) manifestations, including nephritis and increased autoantibody levels. This association was found to be inversely related to northern European ancestry.
A systematic step-up DMARD treatment schedule led to remission in 38.8% of early RA patients at week 24 and 52.1% at week 36. The researchers achieved these results through a tightly regulated treatment scheme involving methotrexate, sulfasalazine, adalimumab, and other medications.
A phase 2 trial found that denosumab reduced the progression of bone erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment group experienced significant reductions in erosion scores, even as early as six months, compared to the control group.
Two studies identify smoking, low formal education, and glucose tolerance as independent predictors of rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking is associated with a higher risk, while better glucose tolerance is linked to a lower risk, suggesting alternative mechanisms may be at play.
A study published at EULAR 2007 found that longer-term breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in mothers. The study, which involved 136 women with RA and 544 controls, suggested that naturally-induced hormones during breastfeeding may offer protective benefits against the disease.
Research suggests that consuming three units of alcohol per week may reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, with higher doses providing greater protection. Moderate alcohol consumption also appears to counteract the negative effects of smoking and genetic predisposition.
A European multinational study showed that tocilizumab improved symptoms in 43.9% and 22% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, with a 70% improvement observed in over one-fifth, according to the first phase III trial results.
A study found that 36% of refractory SLE patients remained well after undergoing B-cell depletion therapy, with median duration of B-cell depletion being 4 months. Patients with low baseline serum C3 levels and anti-ENA antibodies were more likely to flare after treatment.
Preliminary results show that 59% of patients receiving certolizumab pegol 200mg plus methotrexate achieved a 20% improvement in symptoms after 24 weeks, compared to 14% for those taking methotrexate alone. The treatment combination also resulted in higher ACR70 responses and lower discontinuation rates due to adverse events.
Long-term steroid treatment decreases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis-related lymphoma, with benefits observed regardless of when treatment was started. The most pronounced protective effect was seen in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype.
A study at EULAR 2007 found that early treatment with a combination of methotrexate and infliximab can induce clinical remission and reduce joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Almost one-fifth (17%) of patients reached clinical remission, while 51% were able to discontinue infliximab treatment.
A study at EULAR 2007 found that taking x-rays of the semi-flexed knee is the most reliable and responsive way to determine structural severity in knee OA. Measuring joint space width was shown to be more able to detect change over time or after treatment than other techniques.
A multinational review of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) found significant national differences in disease severity, directly related to national health expenditure. The study, QUEST-RA, analyzed data from 100 patients across 21 countries and revealed a negative correlation between disease severity and GDP/health expenditure.
A new study has found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms significantly improved during pregnancy, with 40% of patients experiencing a notable decrease in disease activity. Postpartum, 64% of patients remained stable or improved, while only 36% experienced flares.
Treatment with belimumab resulted in a sustained improvement of SLE disease activity in 46% of patients at week 52, according to the study. The novel combined responder index takes into account three measures of disease progression and is associated with biomarker improvements and quality of life enhancements.
Researchers tracked 172 patients with hand osteoarthritis for two years, showing a significant increase in pain intensity and functional limitations. Radiological progression was also detected in 20% of subjects, highlighting the need for early intervention to prevent irreversible progression.
A study of 1041 RA patients found obese participants reported significantly increased ratings for pain and fatigue compared to normal weight counterparts. Obese patients also experienced worse physical functioning, with lower overall quality of life assessments.
Women with rheumatoid arthritis receive anti-TNF treatments at a higher level of disease symptoms than men, despite similar disease activity measurements. The study suggests that physicians often rely on objective markers rather than subjective measures, leading to unequal treatment.
A study of 23 clinical trials found that weight loss can predict a significant reduction in physical disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The research suggests that achieving a moderate weight loss of over 7.6% can lead to at least a moderate clinical effect on physical disability.
A new study found that steroid injections can improve pain and stiffness in patients with late-stage hip osteoarthritis. The treatment was more effective than placebo in primary and secondary endpoints, offering hope for patients who have not responded to conservative therapy.
Research reveals rheumatoid arthritis significantly impacts patients' sexual activity, with fatigue and functional limitation being key predictors. The study highlights the need for increased attention to this often taboo topic in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing sexual problems as part of general RA care.
The study found that HAQ responsiveness decreases with increasing RA duration, suggesting an irreversible disability component. This makes it challenging to detect functional improvement and distinguish it from placebo effects.
New research suggests that treatment with TNF inhibitors reduces cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, a separate study found an increased risk of serious infections in patients treated with TNF inhibitors.
A large patient group observed for five years found that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had a more aggressive disease course compared to men. Only 32% and 31% of women were in remission at 2 and 5 years, respectively, whereas 49% and 52% of men achieved remission during the same period.
A study across 5 Norwegian departments found that anti-TNF treatments worked better in patients with PsA and AS compared to RA. The combination of anti-TNF and MTX was shown to improve adherence and outcomes in these groups, while monotherapy was more effective for RA patients.
A recent study involving 56 children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) found that tocilizumab improved symptoms in 68% of patients, with over 85% showing a 50% improvement rate. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with only two serious adverse events reported.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) is urging governments to recognize the extraordinary burden of rheumatic diseases, which affect over 100 million Europeans. The campaign aims to secure a disability-specific EU directive to prevent discrimination across all services.
A double-blind phase III study found tocilizumab improved signs and symptoms of active rheumatoid arthritis by 80.3% at 24 weeks, compared to 25.0% for methotrexate. The treatment was well-tolerated, with few adverse events reported.
The REFLEX study demonstrated that MabThera can inhibit structural joint damage in patients with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors. Repeated treatment courses provided continued improvement of symptoms across all clinical measures, increasing remission rates and symptom improvement.
Long-term data from a study showed that abatacept treatment significantly slowed the progression of structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate. The effect was seen at year 2 and continued into the second year, suggesting progressive improvement.
Rituximab plus methotrexate treatment significantly inhibits joint structural damage, reducing bone erosions and joint space narrowing in patients. The study's findings offer new hope for those who do not respond to current treatments.
The study found that the PTPN22 gene risk variant is associated with increased articular damage progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The researchers also discovered a link between the T allele carrier status and the annual rate of radiographic damage progression.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment target for children's muscle disease, where heat shock protein HSP60 plays an active role in controlling inflammation. This discovery could lead to therapies aimed at expanding T-cells with regulatory capacities reacting to HSP60, potentially contributing to disease remission.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has developed core recommendations for rheumatology care in Europe, focusing on key disease areas such as musculoskeletal disorders and gout. These guidelines aim to enhance the standard of care across the continent and provide valuable resources for healthcare professionals.
A recent study found that methotrexate can delay and prevent the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in patients. Patients who showed a positive anti-CCP test benefited the most from the treatment, indicating a lower risk of developing full-blown RA.