Current Arthritis News and Research

New Treatment for Adult-Onset Still’s Disease Studied

awesome — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:48:10 +0000

Still’s Disease is a form of arthritis that is characterized by high spiking fevers and transient salmon-colored rash. Still’s disease was first described in children, but it is now known to occur, much less commonly, in adults (in whom it is referred to as adult-onset Still’s disease). There is commonly swelling of the lymph glands, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and sore throat. Some patients develop inflammation of the lungs (pleuritis) or around the heart (pericarditis) with occasional fluid accumulation around the lungs (pleural effusion) or heart (pericardial effusion). Although the arthritis may initially be overlooked because of the impressive nature of the systemic symptoms, everyone with Still’s Disease eventually develops joint pain and swelling. This usually involves many joints (polyarticular arthritis). Any joint can be affected, although there are preferential patterns of joint involvement in Still’s Disease.

There is no known cause or cure for Still’s Disease but there is research into treatment options. One such study was reported in the January, 2011 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

This was a small cohort study which included only 14 patients with Still’s Disease. The study participants had failed all available therapies, which in some cases included three TNF inhibitors, abatacept, and rituximab. Eight of the patient’s had suffered irreversible joint damage as a result of their arthritis. Recurrent systemic symptoms were present in seven of the patients.

The 14 study participants were treated with the anti-interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab (Actermra). The dosages varied in the study, but the most common was the recommended dose for rheumatoid arthritis – 8mg/kg every 4 weeks.

The average disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) decreased from 5.61 at the beginning of the study to 3.21 after three months and decreased further, to 2.91 after six months.

Based on the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), a good response to treatment requires a DAS28 score or 3.2 or lower. 64% of the patients achieved this level. In addition, EULAR describes remission as a DAS28 score below 2.6, which was achieved by 57% of the patients.

Concurrent with the treatment with tocilizumab the patient’s average dosage of prednisone fell from 23.3 mg/day and the beginning of the study to 13 mg/day after three months and to 10.3 mg/day after six months.

A 60% improvement was seen in number of tender and swollen joints and in patient global health rating at six months and systemic symptoms resolved in 86% by three months.

The study was conducted by Xavier Puéchal, MD, PhD, of Le Mans General Hospital in Le Mans, France, and colleagues.

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MRSA Linked to Septic Arthritis

awesome — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:50 +0000

There has been extensive news coverage lately about the incidence of an extremely drug resistant form of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also know as MRSA. In fact, recent reports include those of deaths related to MRSA.

MRSA is caused by bacteria that exist on the skin. Estimates are that over 89 million Americans are hosts to colonies of the bacteria. The bacteria enter through wounds or scrapes in the skin and into the bloodstream. For most healthy people the symptoms are generally mild and they fully recover. In the past nearly all of the infections were acquired in hospitals since patients may have open wounds and weakened immune systems. However, there have been an increasing number of cases that originate elsewhere, such as schools and gyms.

Symptoms can include respiratory and urinary tract infections, rashes and pus producing skin abscesses. Severe infections can also lead to septic arthritis. This happens when the infection invades the synovial fluid surrounding the joint and damages the cartilage. About half of the cases of septic arthritis are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, the MRSA bacteria. In bacterial infections the knee is the most common target and usually only one joint is affected. It is possible, however, to have infections attack the ankle, hip, wrist, elbow and shoulder and may occur in more than one joint at time. Treatments include antibiotics, which if used early enough are still effective, fluid drainage and surgery. The best treatment, as is usually the case, is prevention. Good hygiene practices, including frequent had washing, is still the best medicine.

Originally posted 2007-10-22 18:54:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Breastfeeding Reduces Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

awesome — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:49 +0000

I posted late last year about research that indicated women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experienced improvement in their RA symptoms during pregnancy. This research found that the relief was related to the amount of fetal DNA in their blood. The higher the level of fetal DNA, the greater the level of relief.

Now there is a Swedish study that has found that women that breast-feed for more than a year after the birth of their children have a reduced risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

The research, conducted by a team from Malmö University Hospital, analyzed case history for 136 women with RA and 544 without. Women who breastfed for 13 or more months had a 54% reduced risk of developing RA and those that breastfed for 1 to 12 months had a 26% reduction in risk compared to women that never breastfed.

In addition, women who gave birth to more children tended to have a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 13% for each child. However, breast-feeding appeared to be a more significant factor in the development of RA.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women who breast-feed for more than six months according to the researchers. They concluded that it is difficult to say whether there’s a link between higher rates of breast-feeding and a corresponding decline in the number of women with rheumatoid arthritis. But the result of this study adds to the list of benefits of breast-feeding for both infant and mother.

The results of this study were published May 13th in the online journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Originally posted 2008-05-16 22:14:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Protect Heart

awesome — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:48 +0000

A recent study has determined that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients that have prolonged use of drugs such as methotrexate, glucocorticoids and TNF-alpha blockers to control the disease may be protecting their hearts as well.

Researchers from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain studied data from over 4300 RA patients from 15 countries.

One finding was that traditional risk factors – high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol – were significant factors is increase risk for cardiovascular disease. However, they found that physical inactivity and obesity were not cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Another discovery was a link between rheumatoid arthritis related conditions, such as inflammation of blood vessels, and heart attack. And, as previously found, men have a higher risk for cardiovascular event.

After taking these factors into account the research team concluded that long term use of certain arthritis drugs, specifically methotrexate, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, glufoforticoids and biologic agents, significantly lowered the risk of death from a cardiovascular event.

According to study lead Dr. Antonio Naranjo: “Methotrexate, other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologic agents could reduce the extra risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have, through the control of inflammation.”

Dr. Naranjo also says that this study indicates that RA patients need to control both the traditional cardiovascular risk factors as well as the inflammatory activity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Originally posted 2008-04-02 18:46:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Big Award for Fibromyalgia

awesome — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:46:47 +0000

A woman has been awarded nearly $4 million by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for chronic pain and fibromyalgia syndrome.

“This latest judgment will set a precedent as it demonstrates powerfully and convincingly the importance and severity of fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome as disabilities,” said a release from law firm Singer Kwinter, which represented Diane Degennaro.

“This will demonstrate to the insurers, the public, and the legal system the severity of this disability and its implication on future judgments.”

According to the law firm, Degennaro was 30 years old when her son was admitted to a hospital. The woman was told she could sleep on a bed in the boy’s room, but when she sat on the end of it, it collapsed.

She fractured her tailbone and later developed fibromyalgia, which has caused chronic pain throughout her body.

She has been unable to return to work and doctors say she won’t be able to work in the future.

Source: Law Times, July 20, 2009

Originally posted 2009-12-10 07:00:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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