RxPG News : Arthritis

High birth weight - risk for rheumatoid arthritis

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:40:12 PST

People who have a birthweight over 10 pounds are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis when they are adults compared to individuals born with an average birthweight, according to a study published by researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery online in advance of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Matrilin-3 gene discovered to prevent onset of osteoarthritis

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:17:00 PST

A gene that is associated with osteoarthritis and skeletal deformities in people has been shown to be responsible for preventing the onset of osteoarthritis in adult mice, according to a recent study led by Rhode Island Hospital. The matrilin-3 gene plays a role in early bone development, controls bone mineral density in adulthood and prevents osteoarthritis later in life.

Rituximab halts damage to joints

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:23:00 PST

New data, presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology show for the first time that a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, rituximab, is able to significantly inhibit the structural damage to joints caused by RA in patients who have long-standing disease and an inadequate response to one or more TNF (Tumour Necrosis Factor) inhibitors.

Tocilizumab effective in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA)

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 16:44:00 PST

A new study has confirmed significant improvements after treatment with tocilizumab amongst children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), who do not tolerate or have an inadequate response to conventional therapies. Professor Shumpei Yokota presented the encouraging results of the first double-blind, placebo controlled trial for tocilizumab at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Amsterdam today (Thursday 22 June)

Unfavourable blood fat levels predict rheumatoid arthritis up to 10 years later

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 16:59:00 PST

An unfavourable ratio of blood fats could herald the development of the inflammatory joint disease rheumatoid arthritis up to 10 years later, suggests research published ahead of print in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

Role of inflammatory leukocytes in extending tissue damage

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:29:00 PST

Documented in extensive studies, backed by the anecdotal evidence of professional athletes, impact injury to joints causes degeneration of cartilage. In most cases, the eventual result is the pain, stiffness, and compromised mobility of osteoarthritis (OA). Yet, questions remain surrounding the role of the inflammatory system in the cartilage destruction following mechanical trauma.

Rituximab achieves remission in patients resistant to conventional DMARDs

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:13:00 PST

Drugs aimed at suppressing inflammation-provoking cytokines--specifically those linked to T-cells--have improved the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease. Still, the frequency of remission achieved by these biologic agents remains below 50 percent. To increase the success rate of biologic therapy for RA patients, researchers have honed in on a new target: the B cell.

New hope for tissue regeneration and joint repair

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:13:00 PST

Inflammation, cartilage and bone erosions, joint destruction--that's the typical progression of arthritis and most rheumatic diseases. While inflammation may be controlled, and perhaps even eliminated, with early aggressive treatment, few therapeutic approaches offer hope for repairing tissue once the damage has been done. One promising strategy is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are capable of extensive self-renewal and adaptable to forming all kinds of connective tissues. While detected in several adult human tissues, MSCs have traditionally been obtained from bone marrow, an invasive, painful, and costly process.

Fighting inflammation with targeted liposomal therapy

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:08:00 PST

Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) form the walls of blood vessels and play a critical role in inflammation. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), VECs interact with cytokines, proteins that regulate immune response, and allow inflammation to persist, escalate, and progressively damage tissue, and joints. Recognized as potent inflammation inhibitors, corticosteroids work to control the expression of cytokines, adhesion molecules and the growth of endothelial cells. The potential of these drugs, however, has been restricted by their considerable toxicity and short half-life.

Snake venom could ease arthritis pain

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 12:56:00 PST

Snake venom could ease the debilitating pain from arthritis, say scientists.

Sodium Hyaluronate Can Fill the gap left by Cox-2 inhibitors

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 15:52:00 PST

After the rise in safety concerns surrounding Vioxx and other Cox-2 inhibitors, people suffering from chronic shoulder pain were left with just two therapy options at opposite extremes - take Advil, or have surgery. But a new study from Columbia University Medical Center shows that sodium hyaluronate, a drug that is FDA-approved for osteoarthritis of the knee, is also effective for shoulder pain.

Patients with severe Rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing lymphoma - New Study

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:54:00 PST

An inflammatory disease of the immune system, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased occurrence of lymphoma--or cancers of the lymphatic system, which plays an integral role in the body's ability to fight infection. While various studies have affirmed this link, none have been able to pinpoint the specific effects of disease activity on lymphoma risk, let alone distinguish them from the effects of disease treatment.

The link between meniscal damage and early onset osteoarthritis

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:49:00 PST

This C-shaped tissue has many functions in the knee, including load bearing, shock absorption, and stability enhancement. The onset of knee OA after meniscectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of a torn meniscus, is fairly common and traditionally considered a result of the joint injury that leads to the operation in the first place.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors may still be best option for arthritis

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:54:00 PST

Scientists believe that despite the current concerns around anti-inflammatory drugs like Vioxx, they may still be the best option for treating some forms of arthritis.

Support for combination therapy for achieving remission of early rheumatoid arthritis

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 05:35:00 PST

Two-year study of patients with early, aggressive disease demonstrates significantly superior results of anti-TNF plus DMARD therapy over either therapy alone

Role of Type II Collagen in rheumatoid arthritis

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 04:11:00 PST

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, which gradually erodes the cartilage and bone. The agents of destruction include inflammatory cells, cytokines, and protein-degrading enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The vicious cycle begins when inflammatory cells infiltrate the tissue lining the joints and consume excess oxygen. In addition to unleashing MMPs, the oxidative stress provokes non-enzymatic glycation â a chemical binding of sugar molecules and proteins. Telltale signs of glycation have been found in blood, urine, and synovial fluid of RA patients.

Study shows long-term benefits of initial combination therapy in RA

Sun, 30 Oct 2005 14:16:00 PST

A progressive, inflammatory disease affecting the joints and organs, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) claims more than two million Americans, mostly women over age 40, among its victims. While a cure has yet to be found, the treatment of RA patients has changed considerably over the last two decades. Today, the goal of therapy is not simply symptom relief, but the prevention of long-term structural damage and functional decline. Toward this end, various disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been proven effective in clinical trials, on their own and in tandem with various tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists. While the recent increase in therapeutic options offers much promise, it has left doctors grappling with the question: What is the best treatment strategy for a patient newly diagnosed with RA?

Exercise May Strengthen Knee Cartilage in OA Patients

Sun, 30 Oct 2005 14:08:00 PST

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability among adults. As the population ages, increased intervention efforts are vital to controlling the individual and public health toll of this chronic, crippling joint disease. Along with early diagnosis, moderate exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce pain and improve function in patients with OA of the knee and hip. Yet, more than 60 percent of U.S. adults with arthritis fail to meet the minimum recommendations for physical activity.

Synthetic protein PLAD shows potential in arthritis treament

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 20:02:00 PST

A lab-made version of a human protein alleviates symptoms of both acute and chronic arthritis in mice and could be the basis for a new arthritis drug for people, report scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The protein prevents the assembly of a cell surface receptor, thus blocking transmission of chemical signals that lead to arthritis symptoms.

Is the Disease Course of Rheumatoid Arthritis Becoming Milder?

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 08:14:00 PST

Study affirms improving trend in the course of disease activity over the last decade, coinciding with more aggressive treatment strategies

New findings on menopausal arthritis

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 07:23:00 PST

One of the most effective new treatments for breast cancer is a hormone therapy. Aromatase inhibitors work by powerfully blocking the conversion of androgen precursors into estrogens, which lowers estradiol levels in the bloodstream and estrogen levels in peripheral tissues. Because aromatase inhibitors reduce the rates of recurrence in women with early-stage postmenopausal breast cancer, these agents are not only becoming widely used in breast cancer treatment, but also being explored for their potential to prevent the disease in women at high risk.

Brightly-coloured fruit and veg may protect against arthritis

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 02:17:00 PST

Researchers from The University of Manchester's Medical School have discovered that eating more brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables like oranges, carrots and sweetcorn may help reduce the risk of developing inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

Biologic drug adalimumab is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 15:07:00 PST

There is good evidence that adding adalimumab (Humira) to the treatment of people with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis is more effective than using oral methotrexate alone.

Losing a pound results in a 4-pound reduction in knee-joint load for each step

Wed, 29 Jun 2005 13:04:00 PST

The leading cause of disability in the United States, osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex, degenerative joint disease with several established risk factors. For OA of the knee, the most important modifiable risk factor is obesity. Both the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism recommend weight loss and exercise to reduce the painful and incapacitating symptoms of knee OA.

Study shows effectiveness of doxycycline in slowing osteoarthritis progression

Wed, 29 Jun 2005 13:02:00 PST

Knee injury causes decrease in lubrication

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 16:57:00 PST

Researchers have found an association between inflammation from knee injuries and a progressive loss of joint lubrication, which may predispose people to arthritis. They have also found a way to quantify how much lubrication is lost following injury.

Study links TNF to androgen deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 15:59:00 PST

A protein involved in multiple cell functions, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is perhaps best known for provoking destructive inflammation. Recently, drugs blocking the action of TNF have shown promise in the early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Continuous NSAID use beneficial in ankylosing spondylitis

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 15:49:00 PST

A widely under-recognized form of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, progressive disease targeting the spine. Commonly striking in young adulthood, before age 35, AS causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the spinal joints--the vertebrae--and the sacroiliac joint, where the spinal column meets the pelvis. In advanced cases, this disease can result in deforming, crippling spinal fusion and organ damage. According to expert estimates, AS afflicts at least half a million people in the United States.