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Disability, reduced social participation associated with chronic conditions in middle-age

A new study from McMaster University finds that chronic conditions like arthritis, depression, and diabetes can lead to disability and reduced social participation in middle-aged adults. The research highlights the importance of targeting treatment strategies for patients and developing preventative health plans.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateNov 9, 2016

DASH diet may help prevent gout flares

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.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateAug 15, 2016

Why you're stiff in the morning: Your body suppresses inflammation when you sleep at night

A study published in The FASEB Journal found that the CRYPTOCHROME protein represses inflammatory pathways during nighttime sleep, leading to increased inflammation symptoms upon waking. This discovery offers new opportunities for developing anti-inflammatory treatments for conditions like arthritis.

Arthritis linked to suicide attempts

A recent University of Toronto study found that individuals with arthritis are more likely to attempt suicide compared to those without the condition. The study also identified childhood adversities such as parental domestic violence and sexual abuse as key risk factors for suicide attempts among adults with arthritis.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalRheumatology International·DateJun 15, 2016

Young arthritis patients have unique concerns about treatment

Young arthritis patients experience physical, emotional, social, and vocational consequences from treatment, emphasizing the importance of discussing concerns with healthcare providers. Active encouragement is necessary to achieve balance between disease control and treatment burden.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateApr 7, 2016

Gout risk high in patients with sleep apnea

A new study shows that patients with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing gout. The incidence rate of gout was found to be 60% higher among those with sleep apnea compared to similar-weight comparators.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateOct 19, 2015

Arthritis may be a major driver of poverty

Women with arthritis face a 87% higher risk of multidimensional poverty compared to nonarthritic females. Arthritis also affects men, increasing their poverty risk by 22% and 29% for multidimensional poverty, respectively.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateSep 8, 2015

More women are reaching 100 but centenarian men are healthier

Research conducted by King's College London found a 50% increase in females reaching age 100 between 1990 and 2013, with women four times more likely to reach this milestone than men. Centenarian men, on the other hand, tend to be healthier, experiencing fewer chronic illnesses and disabilities compared to their female counterparts.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 22, 2015

New iPad app helps children and young people with JIA communicate their pain experiences

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.

SourceEuropean Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJun 11, 2015

Depression often co-occurs with joint diseases

A study of 14,348 Swiss individuals found that those with depressive symptoms have a higher risk of developing physical diseases, especially arthrosis and arthritis. The researchers suggest that lack of interest in physical activity or inflammatory processes may be key factors in this association.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateApr 1, 2015

Awkward positions, distractions and fatigue may trigger low back pain

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.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateFeb 9, 2015

Mental disorders in mid-life and older adulthood more prevalent than previously reported

A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals substantial discrepancies among mid-life and late-life adults in reporting past mental health disorders compared to physical disorders. The study found that lifetime estimates of mental disorders ascertained by retrospective versus cumulative evaluations were sign...

Pleasure and pain brain signals disrupted in fibromyalgia patients

Research suggests that fibromyalgia is associated with disrupted brain signals for reward and punishment, contributing to hyperalgesia. Fibromyalgia patients exhibit altered brain responses to pain anticipation and relief, which may explain the heightened sensitivity to pain and lack of effectiveness of pain medications.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateNov 5, 2013

Updated systemic sclerosis criteria improve disease classification

The 2013 classification criteria for systemic sclerosis are more sensitive than the 1980 measures, enabling earlier identification and treatment of this autoimmune disease. The new criteria improve the classification of systemic sclerosis by clustering items and simplifying the weighting of different criteria.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateOct 3, 2013

STING may take the bite out of autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Type 1 diabetes

Researchers discover STING's critical role in treating autoimmune diseases by evoking expression of enzyme IDO, which blocks immune attack on healthy body constituents. Mice with STING deficiency had no response to DNA nanoparticles, highlighting the protein's essential role in recognizing the molecule that senses DNA.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateSep 9, 2013

Weather conditions do not affect fibromyalgia pain or fatigue

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.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateJun 4, 2013

Blame your parents for bunion woes

A new study has found that bunions and lesser toe deformities are highly inheritable in Caucasian men and women of European descent. The Framingham Foot Study estimated heritability using genetic analyses of familial data, confirming the prevalence of these foot conditions is higher in older adults with a European ancestry.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateMay 20, 2013

Vitamin C does not lower uric acid levels in gout patients

New research published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that vitamin C supplementation had a weak effect on lowering uric acid levels in gout patients. The study suggests that vitamin C may not be a viable therapy for reducing uric acid levels in patients with established gout.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateMay 16, 2013

Alcohol, fibromyalgia, and quality of life

Research suggests that low to moderate drinkers of alcohol may experience lower severity of fibromyalgia symptoms, including chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Moderate drinking has also been found to improve quality of life, with benefits seen in physical function, ability to work, and overall well-being.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalArthritis Research & Therapy·DateMar 14, 2013