Articles tagged with Rheumatology
Research shows that many patients with RA, spondyloarthritis, and other inflammatory joint diseases are not receiving adequate CVD-preventive medications, despite being at high risk. Only half of those who start treatment achieve their goals, highlighting a significant need for improvement in CVD prevention.
Research suggests that RA patients who receive combined care from primary-care physicians and rheumatologists are more likely to be screened for hyperlipidemia. This study found that 47% of patients seeing both a PCP and rheumatologist were screened, compared to 42% of those seeing only a PCP.
A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology suggests that the DASH diet can effectively lower blood levels of uric acid, a known trigger of gout. The DASH diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, was found to lower uric acid by an average of 0.35 mg/dL.
A recent study published in Postgraduate Medical Journal found that female physicians in the US were reimbursed around $18,677.23 less than their male counterparts in 2012, with the largest gaps found in nephrology, rheumatology, and pulmonary medicine.
The American College of Rheumatology has received a $335,000 grant from the Office of Minority Health to develop an expert-informed program model that improves health outcomes for people with lupus in rural and underserved areas. The program aims to increase awareness and access to care for patients living with lupus.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a link between cancer immunotherapy drugs and rheumatologic diseases, including inflammatory arthritis. The study highlights the need for awareness among patients and clinicians about potential side effects of these drugs.
A study presented at EULAR 2016 found that a combination of text messages and individual counselling sessions motivated patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis to be more active, resulting in reduced daily sitting time and improved cholesterol levels. This behavioural intervention was effective in improving patient-reported clinical outcomes.
A new study found that Facebook advertising is effective in identifying adults with Inflammatory Back Pain (IBP), a condition often delayed in diagnosis due to lack of awareness. The study recruited over three quarters of patients through Facebook, resulting in earlier referrals to specialist treatment and improved treatment outcomes.
A study presented at EULAR 2016 found that UK rheumatologists often deviate from NICE guidance on cost when treating RA patients, citing clinical autonomy and patient involvement as key factors. The study suggests that further research is needed to explore the impact of these deviations on patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
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 study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that knee buckling is a significant cause of falls and injuries in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Targeted exercises and joint replacement surgery may help prevent knee instability and reduce the risk of falls.
A new review found scant scientific evidence supporting cannabinoid use in rheumatic diseases, citing only four small studies with limited information. Rheumatologists cannot recommend cannabinoids as a therapeutic option due to high side effects and limited long-term efficacy data.
Deaths from cardiovascular disease among people with rheumatoid arthritis are declining, according to a new study. Researchers found that efforts to prevent and diagnose heart problems may be paying off for patients with the chronic condition.
Biosimilars are complex proteins that provide therapeutically equivalent alternatives to expensive biologics, reducing treatment costs in rheumatology and other fields. The introduction of biosimilars into clinical practice requires careful management to ensure patient safety and efficacy.
A new classification system for gout has been developed to standardize its diagnosis and treatment. The system uses evidence-based criteria and has been validated by comparing it to existing published criteria, outperforming them in performance.
A new study found that patients with knee osteoarthritis who have poor sleep habits display greater central sensitization, an amplification of clinical pain. Catastrophizing thoughts about pain also contribute to increased central sensitization and greater clinical pain in OA patients.
A recent study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis face high initial copayments and then fall into a coverage gap, where they pay 45% of drug costs. This financial burden can be substantial, with some patients paying over $2,700 annually before receiving relief from catastrophic coverage.
A case-crossover study found that engaging in manual tasks with awkward positions, being distracted during activities, or feeling fatigued significantly increases the risk of acute low back pain. The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, identified 12 modifiable triggers for an episode of low back pain.
Women with primary Sjögren's syndrome experience impaired sexual functioning and higher levels of distress compared to healthy controls. Vaginal dryness, pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms significantly contribute to their symptoms. Healthcare providers should acknowledge and discuss these issues to help patients cope.
A new study reveals that Asian and Hispanic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have lower mortality rates compared to Black, White, or Native American patients. The risk for death among White patients is much lower than in Black and Native American SLE patients.
Research finds that nocturnal gout attacks are 2.4 times higher at night and 1.3 times higher in the evening compared to daytime hours. Prophylactic measures may be more effective in preventing flares, especially at night.
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that a support group addressing the psychological and educational needs of people recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis has a strong positive impact on their lives. The program improved patients' ability to manage their disease, connect with others, and cope with emotional challenges.
Research found that babies born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis have lower fetal growth and are more likely to be born prematurely. Studies show a 1.5 times higher risk of preterm birth in children exposed to maternal or preclinical RA compared to those without exposure.
A newly created turmeric-based formulation releases curcumin's anti-inflammatory goodness throughout the body, halting acute inflammatory reactions and recruitment of immune cells. The study suggests that this delivery system could be used to prevent certain diseases and combat chronic inflammation.
Researchers found a significant association between low birth weight and preterm birth with an increased incidence of hip arthroplasty independent of age, sex, BMI, education level, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and physical activity. No significant association was found with knee replacement surgery.
Researchers used CT scans to investigate royal Egyptian mummies from the 18th-20th Dynasties, ruling out signs of ankylosing spondylitis. Instead, they found evidence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in four Pharaohs, suggesting a degenerative spinal condition, not inflammatory arthritis.
Research finds sleep disturbances are independently associated with pain and depression in osteoarthritis patients, while disability is not linked. High pain levels exacerbate depression in individuals with poor sleep, highlighting the vicious cycle of OA distress.
Research finds fibromyalgia patients exhibit reduced activation in primary sensory regions and increased activation in sensory integration areas. This abnormal brain response may contribute to the condition's characteristic hypersensitivity to daily visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation.
A new study found that high sodium intake in smokers doubles the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests an additive interaction between sodium and smoking as a risk factor for RA.
Lupus and other rheumatologic diseases can initially present as neurological disorders such as headaches and seizures, leading to delayed diagnoses. Treatments for these conditions can also cause adverse neurological effects.
A new study found that black and Hispanic SLE patients were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge compared to white patients. Lupus patients with kidney inflammation, serositis, or low blood platelet count were also at higher risk for early readmissions.
Researchers found a slight increase in lower back pain risk with higher wind speed but it was not clinically significant. This contradicts previous studies that linked cold or humid weather to increased symptoms.
A recent study reveals that over one third of knee replacement surgeries in the US were deemed inappropriate, citing variation in knee pain and functional loss. The findings emphasize the need for standardized patient selection criteria among medical professionals to ensure effective use of this procedure.
A new study shows that walking 6,000 or more steps per day can reduce the risk of functional limitation associated with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers found that walking just 1,000 extra steps daily reduces incident functional limitation by 16-18% two years later.
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.
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.
A new study found that sprifermin (recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18) reduces total and lateral femorotibial cartilage thickness and volume in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The treatment was shown to improve joint space width and WOMAC pain score, particularly at a dose of 100µg.
New research suggests that women who frequently consume fat-free or low-fat milk may reduce the progression of knee osteoarthritis. The study found that joint space width decreased by 0.38mm, 0.29mm, and 0.26mm in women with increasing milk intake.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found no decrease in knee cartilage damage or improvement in bone marrow lesions with glucosamine supplementation. Glucosamine did not reduce urinary excretion of C-telopeptides of type II collagen, a predictor of cartilage destruction.
Patients with rheumatic conditions are turning to herbal cannabis for symptom relief, but medical evidence is lacking. The study advises healthcare providers to discourage patients from using this drug as therapy due to potential harm and availability of other therapies.
Researchers found that non-restorative sleep is a strong predictor of widespread pain onset among adults over 50. Anxiety and poor physical health also increase the risk of developing widespread pain. The study suggests combined interventions for both site-specific and widespread pain are needed for older adults.
A large longitudinal study found that postmenopausal women with RA and anti-CCP antibodies had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those without these antibodies. The main cause of death was cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke.
Researchers found that anxiety, depressed mood, and physical disability among RA patients decreased by half over the past two decades. Improved treatment options, including early therapy intervention and biologics, have led to reduced disease activity and better daily living for these patients.
A novel study reveals a severe shortage of rheumatologists in smaller micropolitan US regions, where patients often have to travel over 200 miles for care. The research highlights the need for interventions to increase the supply of rheumatologists in underserved areas.
Researchers from NYU Langone presented new findings on a drug called hydroxychloroquine, which shows promise in preventing recurrent heart disease in at-risk pregnancies. The study identified multiple genetic risk variants for congenital heart block and may lead to new therapies for autoimmune and rheumatic conditions.
Early, aggressive drug treatment shows promising results in patients with psoriatic arthritis, reducing joint damage and disability. A £550,000 clinical trial involving over 200 patients found significant improvements in joint and skin outcomes with tight control of disease activity.
A survey of rheumatologists reveals that many face moral dilemmas when trying to provide the best care for their patients. The study found that physicians often compromise on ethical principles to obtain necessary treatments or medications for their patients.
The American College of Rheumatology has released new guidelines for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The update includes over 1,200 clinical scenarios and covers various medication options, including biologics. The new recommendations aim to enhance care for children with this disabling disease.
A major clinical trial has shown that specialist nurse-led clinics can manage people with rheumatoid arthritis just as effectively as traditional doctor-led services. The study found significant improvements in disease activity, pain control, and patient satisfaction, while also reducing healthcare costs.
A novel study in Arthritis Care & Research examines the medical response and imaging technologies used to treat Boston Marathon bombing victims. The study found that radiology resources should be used liberally to save lives and limbs in urgent situations like the Boston Marathon bombing.
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%.
A study at EULAR 2013 found that depression indicators are stronger predictors of work disability in early arthritis than disease activity or response to therapy. Patients with moderate to severe depression were more likely to consider or enter early retirement.
The European Rheumatology Research Foundation was launched to support high-quality, peer-reviewed research on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The foundation aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of SSc by introducing revised classification criteria.
Professors Barry Bresnihan and Jean-Michel Dayer received the Meritorious Service Award from EULAR for their dedication to advancing rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. They have conducted pivotal research that substantially improved patient lives, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Psoriatic arthritis patients treated with ustekinumab showed significant and sustained improvements in signs and symptoms, even in those previously treated with biologic agents. The treatment was well-tolerated with no deaths or serious adverse events.
A study of 333 female patients with fibromyalgia found that weather conditions had no significant impact on their pain and fatigue symptoms. Individual patients may still experience some sensitivity to certain weather conditions, but this is not associated with demographic or mental health status.
Research finds fibromyalgia is a spectrum disorder with nearly 40% of patients meeting criteria for physical symptom disorder. The prevalence is 2.1%, higher in women than men.
A University of Michigan study reveals how certain genes activate cells that cause rheumatoid arthritis in mice, potentially leading to new treatments for both arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The discovery challenges long-held theories on the association between HLA genes and autoimmune disorders.
Researchers found that rituximab can improve outcomes in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies who suffer from non-criteria APS manifestations. The study showed that rituximab may be effective in treating cognitive dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, skin ulcers, and kidney disease in aPL-positive patients.
Research finds women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a two-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia. DMARD use during pregnancy may also pose a slight risk, with the severity of autoimmune disease contributing to the increased risk.