Current Arthritis News and Research » Rheumatoid Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com Regular Updates on the Many Forms of Arthritis Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Majority of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Suffer From Psychiatric Disorders http://4-arthritis-info.com/majority-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-suffer-psychiatric-disorders/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/majority-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-suffer-psychiatric-disorders/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:21 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/?p=505 A new study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark indicates that a majority (63%) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients also have psychiatric disorders. According to the report, 87% of these disorders are depression related. The report also says that more than half (52%) of the patients in [...] No related posts.]]> A new study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark indicates that a majority (63%) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients also have psychiatric disorders. According to the report, 87% of these disorders are depression related. The report also says that more than half (52%) of the patients in the study indicated that they had experienced stress events before the onset of their RA.

There were several other interesting findings in the report about the emotional impacts of RA:

  • Impairments in cognitive function were found more frequently in patients that were over 50 years old (39% vs. 9%)
  • One third (33%) of RA patients suffer from sleep disorders
  • Cognitive dysfunction was diagnosed in 23% of patients, with 16% of these ascribed to depression
  • The age of rheumatoid arthritis patients when they first used prednisone was significantly higher in those with depression (48 years) compared to those without (30 years)
  • Those RA patients with depression also displayed more severe symptoms as measured by X-ray, greater loss of function and pain than patients without depression. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis patients with depression received less aggressive treatment than patients without depression.

Dr Tatiana Lisitsyna from the State Institute of Rheumatology RAMS, Russian Federation, who conducted the study, said: “Psychiatric disorders are a very common comorbidity for people with RA, and they tend to be stress-related and associated with disease activity and chronic pain. Evaluating and addressing the mental health of those with RA should be a regular feature of rheumatology practice to improve quality of life and reduce the potentially distressing psychological burden of RA.”

The study included 75 RA patients, 72 of whom were women, with a median age of 52, with diagnosis based on the American College of Rheumatology definition. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in accordance with the ICD-10 (International Classification of Disease) scale, and other psychiatric and psychological scales.

The results were presented on June 12, 2009.

Originally posted 2009-06-12 12:39:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/majority-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-suffer-psychiatric-disorders/feed/ 0 Immune System Breakthrough May Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/immune-system-breakthrough-rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/immune-system-breakthrough-rheumatoid-arthritis/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:20 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=274 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack itself. Many treatments have been investigated that would control or suppress the body’s immune system. Anti tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs are immune system suppressants that are widely used to treat RA.

A new study conducted by researchers at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge has resulted in a breakthrough in the understanding of how autoimmune responses can be controlled.

In a normal immune system, the body develops immune cells to recognize foreign material, like bacteria. Once encountered, the immune cells respond to eliminate the foreign material. Any rogue immune cells that would attack the body itself are destroyed during development or are regulated by special cell. A key gene in these regulatory cells is called Foxp3. Those people that either lack the Foxp3 gene or have a mutated version of the gene have dysfunctional immune regulation which can result in autoimmune diseases.

As a part of the study, scientists created a genetically engineered form of Foxp3 that can change developing immune cells into regulatory cells that have the ability to suppress immune response. They then injected the engineered gene into animals that were missing the Foxp3 gene.

Said group leader Dr. Alexander Betz: “When administered to and activated in animal models of arthritis, the modified cells inhibit or even reverse the disease process.”

The scientists are now working on determining the molecular mechanisms involved in the functioning of the Foxp3 gene and applying that to human cells. In that research they need to ensure that the human form of the gene does not negatively impact the body’s immune system.

“If Foxp3 functions as a key developmental switch in human immune cells, there is potential for a new avenue of therapy development that could transform arthritis treatment” — Dr. Betz.

The study was published in the current issue of the journal PLoS Biology.

Originally posted 2008-11-14 12:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/immune-system-breakthrough-rheumatoid-arthritis/feed/ 0 Arthritis Symptoms Improved Through Meditation http://4-arthritis-info.com/arthritis-symptoms-improved-through-meditation/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/arthritis-symptoms-improved-through-meditation/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:18 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2007/11/12/arthritis-symptoms-improved-through-meditation/ A study performed by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that 6 months of meditation helped rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients reduce their stress by as much as 33%.

The research was based on a training course called “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (MBSR). MBSR teaches patients to focus calmness, clarity, well-being and [...] No related posts.]]> A study performed by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that 6 months of meditation helped rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients reduce their stress by as much as 33%.

The research was based on a training course called “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (MBSR). MBSR teaches patients to focus calmness, clarity, well-being and compassion. Earlier studies had shown that MBSR had a positive impact on the psychological symptoms of patients with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, MS and anxiety disorders.

In addition to the meditation, the patients continued to receive treatment from their regular physician including taking any medications they were already prescribed.

The participants of the study completed questionnaires prior to the start, as well as at 2 and 6 months into the study. The questionnaires were used to assess their depression and stress level. In addition, blood measurements were taken of the level of inflammation and their joints were evaluated for RA status. These indicators were compared to those of a group that did not receive the meditation course.

After 2 months there was equal improvement in terms of depression and emotional symptoms. But by 6 months there was a significant (35%) improvement in psychological distress in the meditation group.

The researchers emphasized that the meditation did not have any impact on the progression of the disease itself, but that the patients who practiced MBSR improved their sense of well-being. It did provide the patients the ability to better cope with the symptoms of RA.

Being able to reduce stress and depression may also contribute to increased function for arthritis patients. Other potential methods identified for reducing stress include biofeedback, hypnosis, yoga and tai chi.

Originally posted 2007-11-12 14:41:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/arthritis-symptoms-improved-through-meditation/feed/ 1 Chinese Herbal Remedy May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/chinese-herbal-remedy-ease-rheumatoid/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/chinese-herbal-remedy-ease-rheumatoid/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:15 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/?p=572 Although recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies have led to a increased number of available treatments, quite a few of those therapies have side effects that result in some users discontinuing treatment or seeking complementary and alternative medicines.

A recently published study shows that the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also [...] No related posts.]]> triptwillvAlthough recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies have led to a increased number of available treatments, quite a few of those therapies have side effects that result in some users discontinuing treatment or seeking complementary and alternative medicines.

A recently published study shows that the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also known as “lei gong teng” or “thunder god vine,” improved joint tenderness and pain in a small sampling of people treated with the medicinal plant.

The report says that people who took an extract of the herb’s roots for 6 months experienced significant improvement in RA symptoms compared to those who took the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine.

Thunder God Vine

Scientists say that thunder god vine has been used for centuries in China to treat an assortment of inflammatory diseases, and a few small clinical trials have suggested that the thunder god vine may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine,

To perform the analysis, 121 people with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to take 60 milligrams of TwHF 3 times a day or 1 gram of sulfasalazine twice a day for 24 weeks.

Dr. Christine Laine, an internist who edited the study, said

“It is too early to say whether or not the study defines a specific role for the therapy. The finding brings forward convincing evidence that thunder god vine has an effect similar to that of sulfasalazine.”

However, the thunder god vine may also cause unwanted side effects, and has the potential to significantly reduce male sperm.

Sixty-two patients dropped out before prior to completing the study. But after 24 weeks of treatment, researchers found 67% of the people taking TwHF experienced at least 20% improvement on a standard measure of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than the other group.

Researcher Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, MD, MHS, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues say the study was not long enough to demonstrate if thunder god vine also helped to hinder the progression of joint destruction from RA. But if additional studies confirm these results in larger numbers of people, thunder god vine may provide an affordable natural treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.

Originally posted 2009-08-18 20:34:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/chinese-herbal-remedy-ease-rheumatoid/feed/ 1 Disability Statistics for RA Patients Improves http://4-arthritis-info.com/disability-statistics-for-ra-patients-improves/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/disability-statistics-for-ra-patients-improves/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:14 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2008/04/23/disability-statistics-for-ra-patients-improves/ Many people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have found themselves unable to work. In fact, older studies have found that upwards of half of all people diagnosed with RA for 10 or more years have been unable to continue working.

But more recent information has shown that this statistic has been improving since the [...] No related posts.]]> Many people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have found themselves unable to work. In fact, older studies have found that upwards of half of all people diagnosed with RA for 10 or more years have been unable to continue working.

But more recent information has shown that this statistic has been improving since the mid-1980s.

A report in the April issue of Arthritis Care and Research details the research conducted by a team from Boston University. The researchers analyzed data from nearly 5,400 rheumatoid arthritis patients who responded to semi-annual surveys between January 2002 and December 2005. The survey collected responses related to work status, discontinuation of work and discontinuation of work due to arthritis.

The study found that 85% of the participants were employed at the time they were diagnosed and that 56% were still employed. 44% of those that were not employed indicated that they were disabled.

As expected, the percentage of people that stopped working as a result of arthritis based disability increased with the duration of the disease.

The researchers concluded that even though the work disability was high, it may actually represent a decline from the 50% reported in 1987.

Originally posted 2008-04-23 21:08:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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