Rheumatoid Arthritis

A recently completed Phase II proof-of-concept trial demonstrated that patients with rheumatoid arthritis given methotrexate were more likely to report an improvement in signs and symptoms than those given a placebo.

A new tissue scaffold built by MIT researchers, in collaboration with colleagues from Cambridge University, stimulates bone and cartilage growth and may be a potential new target for treating arthritis.

Learn about the struggles patients with rheumatoid arthritis face everyday.

The Taipei Veterans General Hospital in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation evaluated the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on patients� lives and the aspect of their lives that may change as a result of the diagnosis.

The key predictors for continuation of anti–tumor necrosis factor a treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are response and achievement of a state of low disease activity. Responses seen after 6 weeks and, significantly, after 3 months help decision making.

New research from the Netherlands has shown that genetic factors for rheumatoid arthritis may be a useful tool for determining patients at risk for the disease.

The features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are common in the lifetime course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are significantly associated with an increased mortality risk, even after adjusting for well-described RA-specific predictors of mortality. For some SLE features, the increased risk may be as high as 6-fold.

A measure based on patient data provides a reasonable definition of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outcome and RA treatment success or nonsuccess. Among patient-reported variables, patient global at a level of 1.25 or lower best separates patients who are very satisfied with their health from those not very satisfied, regardless of the presence of comorbidity.

Persons in the United States report musculoskeletal conditions-including arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, and injuries-more than any other health condition, according to the US Bone and Joint Decade.

Meijer JM, Schonland SO, Palladini G, et al, University of Groningen, Groningen, theNetherlands, and other centers. Sjogren's syndrome and localized nodular cutaneousamyloidosis: coincidence or a distinct clinical entity? Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58:1992-1999.

The fetal environment potentially preprograms the brain or endocrine system to be maladapted later in life and that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are known for having a dysregulated HPA axis, which may be affected in utero.

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitor treatment for patients who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) probably will reduce, not increase, the risk of heart failure if it effectively reduces inflammatory activity.

Patients may have difficulty distinguishing weakness and fatigue, as well as asthenia.

The wrist, a complex joint, often is involved in inflammatoryarthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Wristsynovitis causes pain, swelling, and loss of extension. Extension of thesynovial lining may lead to synovitis of the ulnar styloid. During injectionof the ulnocarpal joint, the lidocaine and corticosteroid mixtureshould flow without resistance. Injecting air after corticosteroidinjection of the ulnar styloid creates a seal that prevents the corticosteroidfrom leaking up the needle tract into the dermal layer and creatingunsightly depigmentation. (J Musculoskel Med. 2008;25:188-189)

An 18-year-old complained of pain and decreased mobility of the small finger in his right hand after a softballinjury. While sliding back to second base during a pickoff attempt, the patient hit his hand on the bag.