Rheumatology

Be vigilant in testing for other conditions when applying the latest screening rules for RA. Nearly half of people classified as having rheumatoid arthritis by new criteria actually had other conditions, in a study of consecutive patients referred to a university clinic by their primary rheumatologists.

Diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can take 2-3 years, because most symptoms are both common and nonspecific. Here are clues to quick, accurate detection.

A review of the effects of biological modifiers suggests the ratio between HDL and total cholesterol as a marker of cardiovascular risk.

With its largest grant ever, the National Football League funds a new sportsmedicine research program. Joint disease and pain are topics under discussion.

The American College of Rheumatology's two-part guidelines on gout advise on urate control targets, safe use of new medications, and response to flares.

The 27-year-old patient sustained a FOOSH (fall on outstretched hand) injury while roller skating. What classic imaging sign appears on the radiograph of his injured left elbow?

Interstitial lung disease may be present at diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, or may never arise. The need to predict this often fatal comorbidity is urgent. Two biomarkers in peripheral blood appear promising.

The janitor began to have shoulder pain about 5 months ago, even when he wasn't moving. Also, his fingernails are clubbed.

Results of studies of systemic treatments for patients with osteoarthritis indicate significant positive effects on biomarkers that may be associated with disease progression but no significant effects on joint-space narrowing.

Men with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disorder feel better after taking biologic agents than female patients do. Does under-treatment of women occur because doctors discount their subjective reports of pain?

Involving pharmacists, physiotherapists, and primary care physicians in caring for patients with osteoarthritis improves the quality of care, along with patients' function, pain, and quality of life.

The long-term risk of rheumatoid arthritis is up to 26-fold greater and there is up to a 32% 10-year absolute risk of RA in persons in the general population who have elevated rheumatoid factor levels.

A treat-to-target approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes in the management of gouty arthritis.

The risk of malignancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is not significantly associated with the use of biologic response modifiers compared with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or with placebo, according to a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Outcomes for patients with osteoarthritis could be improved with changes in the current approach to the disease, such as paying attention to their symptoms; following up both proactively and longitudinally; and applying the principles of integrated, multispecialty systems of care.

The tumor necrosis factor α antagonist infliximab has been used for treating patients with uveitis resistant to corticosteroids.

Case study: Avid runner with midfoot pain: Stress fracture? Lisfranc ligament injury? Synovitis? The description of this rare fracture of the first metatarsal bone illustrates the importance of history and investigation.

(AUDIO) The primary challenge in lupus diagnosis is nonspecific signs and lack of good biomarkers, says Sam Lim, MD, of the American College of Rheumatology’s Lupus Initiative. Here he sheds light on how to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis.

Early intervention for knee osteoarthritis is crucial to prevent disability, but what are the best alternatives to long-term medication? This review examines and compares self-help and alternative interventions including exercise, strength training, glucosamine/chondroitin, acupuncture, and walking aids.

Specific genetic risk factors for thrombosis are associated with thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Genetic risk for thrombosis may differ across ethnic groups.

Serum procalcitonin level is a more specific marker for detection of bacterial infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or white blood cell count.

Generic factors-such as pain intensity, levels of disability, and psychological factors-appear to play an important role in the prognosis of acute and chronic nonspinal musculoskeletal pain.

The risk of periprosthetic joint infection after primary hip and knee replacements for osteoarthritis is increased by diabetes mellitus. It also is increased by morbid obesity.

In a 6-month phase 3 study, tofacitinib monotherapy was associated with reductions in signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in patients who had had an inadequate response to disease-modifying drugs. Improvement in physical function also was seen.

Shoulder joint instability often results from traumatic injuries that occur in young athletes participating in contact sports, according to a literature review in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their doctors differ on their perception of RA disease activity, according to researchers from Austria.

A new NIH collaborative research program that focuses on the role of the brain in perceiving, modifying, and managing pain will complement basic science and clinical research efforts of other ongoing intramural neuroscience, imaging, and mental and behavioral health research programs.

The burden of cognitive impairment in persons with rheumatoid arthritis is significant, according to recent study findings.

There was no significant difference in the rates of death among study patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were exposed to one of several tumor necrosis factor inhibitors used to manage RA.

Autoantibody profiles that use an expanded array of specificities were correlated with the risk of progressive disease in patients with lupus in a study reported in Arthritis Research & Therapy.