Rheumatoid Arthritis

The recent discovery of the protein, HVCN1, may provide some insight into the mechanics of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and certain types of cancer.

Last week, BioTrends Research Group released topline findings from LaunchTrends®: ACTEMRA, Wave 1, highlighting the market uptake of the product at one month post launch.

This course features a discussion between rheuamtologist Leonard Calabrese, MD, and hepatologist Nizar Zein on the "hepatic effects of biologic agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and their potential for the treatment of viral hepatitis."

The main goal of this trial is to "evaluate the practical modalities and performance of the EULAR-RAID score in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have been prescribed etanercept as part of usual medical practice."

The aim of this study is to analyze the changes in the "clinical and radiographic course in subjects when etanercept treatment is tapered or discontinued."

Healthcare professionals who treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis should take this course as it offers a "unique format to obtain the latest and best scientific information regarding treatment and management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis."

Rheumatologists and primary care physicians will find the "Rheumatoid Arthritis Virtual Grand Rounds" to be extremely beneficial. Hosted by experts in the field, 17 patient cases will help improve the quality of care provided through patient case studies and provide new information about the available treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

TNF antagonists are not highly effective in 30 to 50 percent of patients, but investigators have discovered that patients with higher baseline levels of type I interferon beta were more likely to respond to therapy.

Acetaminophen is often recommended instead of aspirin as a day-to-day pain reliever, but taken in too high a dose, it can damage the liver and perhaps cause liver failure.

Erica Stotler shares her experience with JRA and how her rheumatologists are supportive of the local support system she started with her friend with the assistance of Arthritis through Arthritis Introspective.

Last week, Biogen Idec announced that its oral compound BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) achieved key milestones in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joints is not as rare as is commonly believed. Many sources still consider cricoarytenoid arthritis to be an atypical symptom of rheumatoid arthritis in spite of evidence to the contrary.

ABSTRACT: MRI allows for earlier detection of the joint synovitis, erosions, and bone marrow edema present in inflammatory arthritis, facilitating earlier diagnosis and treatment.

The catchphrase for rheumatoid arthritis treatment has become "early and aggressive." It is the best remedy that medicine has today for the management of RA.

A new network from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) will create a national database that aims to see how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients respond to different RA drugs, and then use that information to further personalize RA treatment.

Today was the final day of the American College of Rheumatology's 2009 Scientific Meeting. Here are some of the study highlights from the finale.

Dozens of posters were presented under the RA umbrella during the morning of day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions.

Objectives for this presentation included identifying biologic agents in the use of RA; discussing the role of TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis; describing the role of B-cells in rheumatoid arthritis; and discussing what advances need to happen in order to better treat this condition.

Researchers examining senior-identified arthritis management strategies were able to identify the most helpful treatment methods as well as the biggest challenges preventing most seniors from engaging in these practices.

Here we recap some of the highlights of today's poster session with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis.

Considering that increasing prevalence of arthritis is expected to outpace the number of specialists available to treat the condition, primary care physicians would do well to consider the experiences and advice of leaders of national Canadian arthritis study groups.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients are experiencing less coronary heart disease than in years past, but heart failure rates, however, remain unchanged, puzzling researchers.

Researchers have concluded that evidence from their study showed “aerobic capacity training combined with muscle strength training is recommended as routine practice in patients with RA.”

Researchers have discovered a new way to use the role of signaling molecules to inhibit another complex that plays a key role in the ‘turning on’ of genes “that cause the stem cell precursors of osteoclasts to mature and start eating bone,” a discovery that may lead to the formation of new rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis drugs.

Psychosocial work stress has been previously associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. New research now reveals that high work stress may actually decrease an individual's chance of developing inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has released new guidelines for testing patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis when more standardized tests have not conclusive.

Check out these rheumatoid arthritis-related online resources.

New research has found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are likely to suffer from depression, which can, in turn, increase levels of pain associated with the disease.

Clinical use of computer-aided joint-space analysis (CAJSA) provides a reliable calculation of joint-space distances (JSD) at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint for quantification of joint changes related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Calculation of a Z-score helps distinguish disease-related narrowing of JSD from age-related changes.

A new study shows that Actemra, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is beneficial in preventing joint structural damage and promoting remission.