Articles tagged with Rheumatology
The US rheumatology workforce is projected to face a shortage due to an aging population, retiring baby boomer rheumatologists, and changing practice trends. By 2030, the supply of rheumatologists is expected to fall short of demand, with some regions facing a particularly severe maldistribution.
A single-center study found that cancer immunotherapy is safe for patients with rheumatologic diseases, with only a minority experiencing adverse effects. The treatment was successfully administered to all six affected patients, paving the way for its use in select groups with pre-existing conditions.
A new review article examines efforts to address variability in treating rare pediatric rheumatic diseases. Consensus treatment plans are a potential alternative to randomized clinical trials, and the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance is pioneering their use.
Research indicates that being overweight or obese can lead to poorer RA treatment outcomes and higher mortality risk. Studies show that patients with healthy weights are more likely to achieve remission, while those who are overweight or obese face a 25-47% lower chance of sustained remission despite similar treatments.
Research suggests that US arthritis prevalence is much higher than current estimates, especially among younger adults. The study found that 91.2 million US adults are affected by arthritis, with a significant impact on healthcare costs and productivity.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that black patients living in economically deprived areas experience worse physical function after hip replacement surgery compared to their white counterparts. The study suggests that community-based outreach and education may help improve outcomes.
The Academy supports innovative research in rheumatology education and promotes teaching excellence, resulting in the creation of unique curricula, iBooks, and mobile apps. Grant recipients have produced national meeting abstracts, given presentations, and written manuscripts, enhancing their careers and improving patient care.
A study found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of healthy military recruits showed sacroiliac joint damage similar to axial spondyloarthritis after six weeks of intensive physical training. The high prevalence of lesions at baseline and the increase in lesions after training were striking results.
A recent study found that women who stopped taking bisphosphonates for over two years had a substantially increased risk of hip fractures compared to those who continued their treatment. The study, which analyzed data from 156,236 women, showed that the longer the duration of the drug holiday, the higher the risk of hip fracture.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) honored 43 researchers and thought leaders with its Master of the ACR designation, Awards of Distinction, and Distinguished Fellow Award for their contributions to the field of rheumatology. The recognitions are given annually to members who exhibit outstanding achievements in scholarly achiev...
A study found that patients with spine osteoarthritis and those under 65 are more likely to use opioids for pain management. The study also showed a significant association between opioid use and greater depressive symptoms, as well as higher levels of pain.
Researchers developed a new tool to analyze cellular and molecular profiles of synovial tissue and peripheral blood, which may help unlock clues about rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that robust cell yield from synovial tissue enables mass and flow cytometric data.
Research found that lupus patients on Medicaid have lower HCQ therapy adherence in areas with high African-American populations, few hospitals, and Health Professional Shortage Areas. This association remained after controlling for individual-level characteristics like poverty and education.
Research suggests that obesity is prevalent among axSpa patients, associated with increased disease activity, physical function impairment, and poorer quality of life. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the patient cohort were overweight or obese, highlighting the need for weight management strategies in treatment plans.
Research reveals obesity is associated with reduced rates of remission and increased rates of disability in RA patients. Effective weight screening and management should be a central feature of RA treatment plans.
A study found that temporarily pausing methotrexate use for two weeks after flu vaccination improves the immune response in RA patients, with a higher rate of satisfactory responses and seroprotection rates. This approach has potential clinical implications, including improved vaccine efficacy without increasing disease activity.
Bone marrow edema was most frequent in posterior lower ilium and anterior upper sacrum in young athletes. A better understanding of this condition may improve evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging in individuals with early axial spondyloarthritis.
A digital health coaching program improved RA patients' well-being, decreased symptoms, and reduced flare frequency. The program showed significant increases in physical activity, sleep hours, and medication adherence.
The new dashboard provides actionable data to practices, allowing them to track quality improvement and financially reward their efforts in the MIPS program. Data from 548,990 patients reported by 491 clinicians and 109 practices showed varying performance on quality measures.
The EULAR and ACR presented draft new classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting. The updated criteria aim to improve patient identification, trial comparisons, and early disease detection, with a global collaboration involving over 150 investigators and data from 2,200 patients.
Research findings from the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting reveal that obesity is independently associated with worse patient-reported outcomes in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, including increased disease activity and depressive symptoms. Obesity was linked to higher levels of pain and fatigue as well.
Researchers found that low-energy shock-wave therapy significantly reduced digital ulcers in scleroderma patients by stimulating growth factors and forming new blood vessels. The treatment also showed no serious adverse events during the study, making it a promising approach for managing refractory digital ulcers.
Researchers have developed a new method to preserve tissue samples for rheumatoid arthritis research, allowing for the analysis of multiple samples in a uniform way. This approach has the potential to identify specific inflammatory pathways and guide treatment decisions.
A study found that increasing omega-6 to omega-3 ratios in the diet were associated with SLE disease activity. Intake of omega-3 fatty acids was also linked to better sleep quality and trended toward significant decreases in depressive symptoms.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have low vitamin D levels are at a higher risk of developing end-stage renal disease. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce urine protein and prevent future renal failure, according to the study's findings.
Research finds that RA patients who meet certain factors, including younger age and low CRP levels, are more likely to successfully taper their biologic drugs. Patients without concomitant steroid use also tend to have better outcomes.
A new mobile app-based system, Smart System of Disease Management (SSDM), has been developed to improve care management for chronic illness patients. The system includes online consultation via a mobile app, which reduces costs and delays for arthritis patients by allowing them to access medical services remotely.
A new online education tool has been developed to improve accessibility and disease self-management for teens with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The tool, which includes monthly calls with health coaches, improved health-related quality of life for participating teens compared to those who received standard disease education only.
A study found that positive sacroiliac MRI scans can be common in healthy individuals and frequent runners, suggesting the need for additional diagnostic measures. The research emphasizes the importance of considering these results in context to avoid misdiagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis.
The new American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation treatment guideline provides pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic recommendations for treating adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The guideline development team used the GRADE methodology to evaluate evidence and create therapy options.
Research reveals that rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions are at a higher risk, emphasizing the need for controlled inflammation and early symptom monitoring.
A new guideline has been published by the British Society of Rheumatology to improve the diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). The guideline aims to provide advice on how to diagnose and treat patients with mild, moderate, and severe lupus, reducing disease flares and improving survival rates.
Febuxostat reduced gout flares and synovitis in a 2-year study of adults with early gout. Urate-lowering therapy may benefit people after one or two prior gout flares.
A study of 54,763 women found a nearly three-fold elevated risk of lupus among those with probable PTSD and more than two-fold higher risk among those who experienced traumatic events. The findings contribute to growing evidence that psychosocial trauma affects autoimmune disease.
New research reveals striking racial and ethnic disparities in lupus incidence and prevalence, with higher rates found in Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations. The findings emphasize the need for vigilant diagnosis and prompt care for these groups, particularly in cases of arthritis, rashes, and kidney disease symptoms.
Research shows that administering shingles vaccine several weeks prior to starting tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis results in robust immune responses. This is particularly beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are at a higher risk of developing shingles.
A new study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that male workers in the manufacturing sector have a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than those in other sectors. Women working in certain occupations, such as assistant nurses and attendants, also showed a slightly increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
A new guideline aims to reduce joint infection risks from total hip and knee replacements by managing anti-rheumatic medications during perioperative process. The guideline provides recommendations for withholding certain medications, such as biologics and immunosuppressants, to minimize the risk of infection.
An educational programme implemented by the Galician Rheumatology League improved employees' self-confidence in their work capacity and awareness of solvable limitations. The programme also helped employers understand specific needs of people with RMDs, making necessary adaptations to keep them at work.
A national program in Denmark aims to address concerns of rheumatology patients switching to biosimilars for their arthritis treatment. The program includes independent patient information, closer monitoring of prescriptions, and a focus on patient safety.
The American College of Rheumatology and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons developed guidelines to manage anti-rheumatic medication in patients with joint replacement. The recommendations prioritize preventing infection over potential disease flares, and aim to lower the risk of complications.
A meta-analysis found that the excess risk of cardiovascular events in RA patients has decreased since the year 2000. The reduced risk appears to be related to better management of cardiovascular risk and control of chronic systemic inflammation.
A randomized study found that group-based quality improvement sessions improved TTT scores from 11% to 57% in intervention patients, while control patients saw a decline to 25%. The learning collaborative positively impacted implementation of the recommended care approach.
New studies examine rheumatoid arthritis patients' mortality, disease activity, and physical function over 20 years. Early treatment has been shown to have a significant impact on long-term outcomes, with patients experiencing relatively good results.
The journal highlights several notable research findings, including the benefits of quitting smoking abruptly, low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular prevention, and statins in rheumatoid arthritis. These updates aim to promote excellence in medicine and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers investigated the use of abatacept, an immune cell modulator, in treating two rare forms of vasculitis: giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. The studies found promising results for GCA patients, with improved relapse-free survival rates and longer duration of remission compared to placebo.
A study found that performing even a third of the recommended activity is beneficial for older adults with arthritis. Participants who achieved a minimum of 45 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, per week were 80% more likely to improve or sustain high function over two years.
A global survey found that patients with RA are often not involved in decision-making, despite doctors acknowledging the importance of patient engagement. The study highlights gaps in communication between healthcare providers and their patients, with few patients having shared treatment goals or feeling comfortable voicing concerns.
A 10-year precision trial involving 24,081 patients in 13 countries investigated the cardiovascular safety of widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2-specific inhibitors. The trial found that celecoxib shares similar cardiovascular toxicity with rofecoxib, leading to increased nuance in analgesic recommendations for ...
Researchers found that patients treated with rituximab as their first biologic had a lower mortality risk compared to those treated with TNFi. The study included 353 patients with RA-ILD and analyzed five-year mortality rates, with RTX-treated patients showing numerically lower but not statistically significant risks.
Researchers identified three gene expression signatures that can help rheumatologists predict which patients are more likely to respond to certain therapies. The findings could lead to higher response rates and reduced likelihood of ineffective treatment, ultimately improving patient care.
A study of 9,362 surgeries on 5,544 RA patients found that continuing DMARDs prior to surgery does not increase post-operative infection risk. Researchers recommend considering medication continuation during the perioperative period to maintain better control over RA and reduce complications.
Researchers found that people with RA have double the risk of CV events as those in the general population, rates similar to those with type-2 diabetes. Chronic inflammation in RA contributes independently to cardiovascular risks for these patients.
New research from the American College of Rheumatology finds that most people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) meet the minimum physical function level necessary to walk at least 6,000 steps a day. This suggests that many individuals with OA can adopt physically active lifestyles and achieve significant health benefits.
Research finds that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis do not increase the risk of malignancy. The study, which analyzed data from over 27,000 children with JIA, concluded that TNFi are not associated with a significantly increased risk of incident malignancy.
A new Wnt inhibitor drug has shown significant improvements in knee OA pain, joint function, and even slowed or reversed cartilage loss. The study found that the drug improved outcomes for 76% of patients in the high-dose group compared to 36% on placebo.
Research findings suggest that gut microbiomes of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome show higher levels of phospholipid-producing bacteria, pointing to microbes as a trigger for the disease. The study identified Slackia bacteria as a promising candidate, which can produce phospholipids including cardiolipin.
Researchers found a significant interaction between TNF-inhibitors and NSAIDs, with patients experiencing a 70% reduction in radiographic progression when used together. The study suggests that combining these therapies may be especially helpful for patients at higher risk of disease progression.
A study of 564 patients found that women with long-term axial spondyloarthropathy are at higher risk for extra-articular manifestations, including uveitis, which is significantly more prevalent in women (46.7%) and those in late disease stages. IBD prevalence was also higher in women (16.5%), particularly those with elevated CRP levels.
The U.S. adult rheumatology workforce is projected to decline by 31% by 2030 due to an aging workforce and insufficient graduate medical education funding. To address this gap, researchers suggest creating financial incentives for medical students and residents to pursue rheumatology training.