Bill Schu

Study results presented at the 2015 Liver Meeting suggest that the investigational once-daily tablet elbasvir/grazoprevir can safely and effectively treat Hepatitis C virus in intravenous drug users, considered to be "difficult" cases, in part due to the risk of re-infection.

In a post-hoc analysis, researchers found that the clinical efficacy of tofacitinib after 6 months of treatment was greater than placebo, and appeared similar regardless of methotrexate dose.

A review of six Phase 3 studies shows that tofacitinib is more effective for rheumatoid arthritis treatment than regimens including placebo and a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug or methotrexate as monotherapy or in combination therapy.

In a phase 3 study, ixekizumab showed significant, clinically meaningful improvements of disease activity and physical function for patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received sarilumab plus a DMARD who did not respond to anti-TNF medications showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful changes from baseline in fatigue, morning stiffness, pain, productivity, and participation at week 24.

Results from the MEASURE 1 trial suggest that about 80% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis had no radiographic progression in the spine on x-ray assessment after a 2-year course of secukinumab.

Compared with placebo, treatment with odanacatib consistently reduced fracture risk across a range of subgroups in a phase 3 clinical trial.

In phase 2 data, ABT-494 showed a significant dose response over placebo in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

In preliminary results presented at ObesityWeek, University of Pittsburgh researchers revealed that 3 years after bariatric surgery, the majority of patients experience an improvement in pain and walking ability.

A recent study suggests that pain is inadequately treated in emergency departments, for a variety of reasons.

Study authors say the results suggest a continuum of disorders with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and propose a new definition of IBD that includes three distinct subgroups.

Patients with hepatitis C being treated with sofosbuvir-based regimens might benefit from monitoring for severe bradyarrhythmia.

A committee of the European Medicines Agency has completed a long-anticipated review finding no evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines trigger complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Results from a small study conducted in China suggest that a novel combination treatment could cut by 75% the treatment time of current HCV medications, which themselves cut in half the time for successful treatment only a decade ago.

The presence of urate crystal precipitation does not necessarily indicate a greater risk of cardiovascular complications for patients with increased levels of monosodium urate, which is the defining characteristic of gout.

Study results suggest a significant association between serum levels of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and the level of mucosal healing for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Study results show that the interferon-free regimen of simeprevir plus sofosbuvir achieves high rates of sustained virologic response and has a strong safety profile for patients with hepatitis C.

Researchers say that identifying HCV transmission hotspots and gaining a more comprehensive understanding of exactly how hepatitis C virus is transmitted during times of significant spread could facilitate public health initiatives to reduce the prevalence of HCV in people who contract it through intravenous drug use.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded the approved use of ipilimumab so that it will include a new indication as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage III melanoma. The approval is big news, because it's the first new FDA-approved adjuvant option for late-stage melanoma in two decades.

Study results suggest that balneotherapy and physical therapy can not only reduce nocturnal pain for patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis, but can also improve sleep quality.

A study in BMC Psychiatry is among the first to report a relationship between childhood abuse, personality, adulthood life stresses, and the severity of depression.

A review in the British Journal of Pain examined some recent research testing the effectiveness of CBT in treating chronic headache and migraine.

A New Zealand study announced in Trials will examine whether the antidepressant nortriptyline can safely and effectively treat knee osteoarthritis. The medication is inexpensive and readily available, and it is well-tolerated in patients treated for depression.

Study results indicate a novel combination of the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib plus cediranib, an investigational drug that targets the mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes MEK1 and MEK2, may be effective in treating malignant melanoma.

Study results indicate that elevated levels of interleukin–21 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

The Food and Drug Administration's Arthritis Advisory Committee voted 10 to 4 to recommend the approval of lesinurad 200mg tablets for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout.

Study results suggest that screening for metabolic syndrome among patients taking antipsychotic medications occurs far less frequently than recommended by the guidelines.

Data from the HUNT studies suggest there may be a link between non-migrainous headache and dementia.

Psychosocial evidence-based practices tailored specifically to treat schizophrenia do improve functioning, but they are not available to most patients suffering from the condition.

Researchers investigated cerebral activation in patients with fibromyalgia (FMS) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and discovered altered central nervous processing in patients with FMS, as well as a distinction between FMS and major depression.