American College of Rheumatology

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

Avril Fitzgerald from University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, discussed the results from her study and how the primary care physicians and rheumatologists are perceiving the new scoring method.

During his keynote address, MDNG editorial board member Danny Sands really stressed the importance of empowering patients to learn about their health. "We need to make sure patients have access to knowledge," he said.

Though researchers continue to investigate exactly why, data indicates RA increases an individual's risk of lower GI bleeding or perforation, diverticulitis, lower GI ulcers, and appendicitis.

The impetus for Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children’s switch to a centralized system came about because the hospital administrators wanted patients communicating with live people. An admirable goal for sure, but with only two live people available to take calls at anyone time, patients often ended up spending 15 minutes on hold waiting for a human voice, becoming frustrated and hanging up.

Initial use of methotrexate combined with sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine better controls rheumatoid arthritis at six months.

Prior studies of glucosamine and its role in the prevention of joint damage in knee OA have produced conflicting results, but a recent study found that the odds of worsening cartilage damage in a glucosamine group were the same as for patients given a placebo.

Despite being considered and at-risk group due to disease- and drug-induced immunosuppression, only one of two arthritic adults will receive a flu vaccination, according to a recent phone study.

Anti tumor necrosis factor therapy for rheumatoid arthritis appears to increase a patient's risk of developing septic arthritis, which is the infection of a joint, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.

In a session that focused on potential adverse reactions to rheumatologic infusion therapies, Jacqueline M. Fritz, RN, MSN, CNS, Arthritis and Osteoporosis, La Palma, California, explained that infusion therapies take time to administer.