Meniscus Extrusion Predicts Radiographic Osteoarthritis Change Better Than Cartilage Volume Loss
Although change in knee joint space narrowing depicted on radiographs is considered the gold standard for monitoring osteoarthritis progression and knee cartilage volume loss, the method doesn't account for extrusion of the medial meniscus, which new research suggests can better predict radiographic osteoarthritis change over time.
Biologics Beat Triple DMARDs Therapy on Cost, But No Winner in Debate on Efficacy, Safety in RA
During their "Great Debate" keynote session of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2013 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, two leading rheumatologists took direct aim at each other's significant clinical trial data to provide rationale for choosing biologics over triple therapy - or vice versa - as the treatment of choice for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Tocilizumab Treatment Associated with Cardiovascular Improvements in RA Patients
Though rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population, results from a pair of studies show that the biologic disease modifier Actemra (tocilizumab) may actually improve the cardiovascular (CV) profiles of RA patients.
5-Year Efficacy Data Shows Golimumab Yields Long-Term RA Improvements
As a follow-up to the initial establishment of Simponi (golimumab)'s safety and efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers presented final 5-year data evaluating the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker's effects in RA patients taking methotrexate and those naïve to the biologic agent.
Studies Say Vitamin D Deficiency Doesn't Increase Odds of RA, But May Worsen OA Symptoms
Though previous reports have described a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development, a trio of studies has now offered clinical support to the contrary belief.
Triple DMARD Treatment More Effective than Monotherapy in New RA Cases
Although methotrexate with or without glucocorticoids (GCs) is commonly used as a first-line treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), study results show that combining the medication with two other traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) produces better outcomes in newly-diagnosed RA patients.
EMR Analysis Reveals Significant Predictors of Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
Noting that it takes an average of 5 years before a fibromyalgia patient receives a diagnosis, researchers conducted a retrospective data analysis to identify significant variables that may enable earlier detection and diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
ACR 2011: Dealing with Loss of Data in Clinical Trials
There is a lot of work involved in producing a successful clinical trial. Even the planning stage alone can take a significant amount of time. But when data is incomplete-especially in longitudinal clinical trials-it can be a real struggle for organizers.
ACR 2011: Early Aggressive Therapy in Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis [VIDEO]
November 8th 2011One of the more exciting parts of the conference has been the ability to sit in and listen to highlighted studies that are selected by the ACR. This press conference features Carol Wallace, MD, Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Seattle, WA, speaking about her study and answering questions from the audience.
With more patients and practitioners expressing interest in non-Western modes of healing and other complementary and alternative forms of medicine, researchers are studying whether traditional Chinese methods like tai chi are effective in treating arthritis and other painful conditions.
ACR 2011: Challenges in Helping Patients Understand Risks and Benefits of Medications [VIDEO]
November 8th 2011Marcus Owen, MD, practices rheumatology and internal medicine in Nashville, TN. In this video, Dr. Joseph Kim talks with Dr. Owen about what he hopes to take away from this year's ACR conference and also speaks about some of the biggest challenges he faces in helping patients understand risk and benefit of medications.
ACR 2011: Advice on Contract Negotiations for Physicians
Negotiating a contract for a position in academia, industry, or private practice can be a complex and nerve-wracking process, with many physicians unsure of which questions to ask and which elements of their compensation beyond salary are negotiable.
ACR 2011: The Debate Over Medical Marijuana Continues
Although there is some evidence showing treatment with medical marijuana can benefit patients with arthritis, chronic pain, and other conditions, there are also serious concerns over quality control, non-standardized dosing, and other potential safety risks.
ACR 2011: Transitioning the Pediatric Rheumatology Patient
Transitioning an adolescent or teenager from a pediatric rheumatologist to an adult rheumatologist can be a very delicate and complicated process. With so many pitfalls along the way, it's easy to see why this problem has been occurring more and more. The good news? It's a very "fixable" problem.
ACR 2011: The Goal of Meaningful Use Is to Improve the Quality of Care
With Medicare and Medicaid incentives scheduled to start this year, physicians owe it to their patients and their practices to learn about the requirements to qualify as meaningful users of health care technology.
ACR 2011: Getting Policymakers to Take Musculoskeletal Conditions More Seriously
Professor Anthony Woolf, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and Professor of Rheumatology at the Peninsula Medical School, Truro, UK, posed a very important question in his presentation at ACR on Monday: "How do we get policymakers to take musculoskeletal conditions seriously?"
ACR 2011: Learning the Importance of Sleep
James B. Maas, PhD, is a Cornell University professor who knows a heck of a lot about sleep and how it impacts our bodies. But this session focused less on how rheumatology was involved (although Maas did say it was up to rheumatologists to find the proper medication that would not impact their patients' sleep patterns), and more on the general need for a proper night's rest.