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Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are common conditions that cause pain, swelling, and limited movement. They affect joints and connective tissues around the body. Millions of people in the U.S. have some form of arthritis.

Arthritis means redness and swelling (inflammation) of a joint. A joint is where 2 or more bones meet. There are more than 100 different arthritis diseases. Rheumatic diseases include any condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones. Arthritis is usually ongoing (chronic).

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are more common in women than men. They are also often linked with old age. But they affect people of all ages.

The 2 most common forms of arthritis are:

Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. It is a chronic disease of the joints, especially the weight-bearing joints of the knee, hip, and spine. It destroys the coating on the ends of bones (cartilage) and narrows the joint space. It can also cause bone overgrowth, bone spurs, and reduced function. It occurs in most people as they age. It may also occur in young people because of an injury or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This is an inflammatory disease of the joint linings. The inflammation may affect all of the joints. It can also affect organs such as the heart or lungs.

Other forms of arthritis or related disorders include:

Gout. This condition causes uric acid crystals to build up in small joints, such as the big toe. It causes pain and inflammation.

Lupus. This is a chronic autoimmune disorder. It causes periods of inflammation and damage in joints, tendons, and organs.

Scleroderma. This autoimmune disease causes thickening and hardening of the skin and other connective tissue in the body.

Ankylosing spondylitis. This disease causes the bones of the spine to grow together. It can also cause inflammation in other parts of the body. It can affect the shoulders, hips, ribs, and the small joints of the hands and feet.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). This is a form of arthritis in children that causes inflammation and joint stiffness. Children often outgrow JRA. But it can affect bone development in a growing child.

The cause depends on the type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of the joint over time or because of overuse. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma are caused by the bodys immune system attacking the bodys own tissues. Gout is caused by the buildup of crystals in the joints. Some forms of arthritis can be linked to genes. People with genetic marker HLA-B27 have a higher risk of ankylosing spondylitis. For some other forms of arthritis, the cause is not known.

Some risk factors for arthritis that cant be avoided or changed include:

Age. The older you are, the more likely you are to have arthritis.

Gender. Women are more likely to have arthritis than men.

Heredity. Some types of arthritis are linked to certain genes.

Risk factors that may be avoided or changed include:

Weight. Being overweight or obese can damage your knee joints. This can make them more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

Injury. A joint that has been damaged by an injury is more likely to develop arthritis at some point.

Infection. Reactive arthritis can affect joints after an infection.

Your job. Work that involves repeated bending or squatting can lead to knee arthritis.

Each persons symptoms may vary. The most common symptoms include:

Pain in 1 or more joints that doesnt go away, or comes back

Warmth and redness in 1 or more joints

Swelling in 1 or more joints

Stiffness in 1 or more joints

Trouble moving 1 or more joints in a normal way

These symptoms can look like other health conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and give you a physical exam. Tests may also be done. These include blood tests such as:

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. This checks antibody levels in the blood.

Complete blood count (CBC). This checks if your white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet levels are normal.

Creatinine. This test checks for kidney disease.

Sedimentation rate. This test can find inflammation.

Hematocrit. This test measures the number of red blood cells.

RF (rheumatoid factor) and CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibody tests. These can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. They can also assess how severe the disease is.

White blood cell count. This checks the level of white blood cells in your blood.

Uric acid. This helps diagnose gout.

Other tests may be done, such as:

Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis). A small sample of synovial fluid is taken from a joint. It's tested to see if crystals, bacteria, or viruses are present.

X-rays or other imaging tests. These can tell how damaged a joint is.

Urine test. This checks for protein and different kinds of blood cells.

HLA tissue typing. This looks for genetic markers of ankylosing spondylitis.

Skin biopsy. Tiny tissue samples are removed and checked under a microscope. This test helps to diagnose a type of arthritis that involves the skin, such as lupus or psoriatic arthritis.

Muscle biopsy. Tiny tissue samples are removed and checked under a microscope. This test helps to diagnose conditions that affect muscles.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how what type of arthritis you have, and how severe the condition is. A treatment plan is tailored to each person with his or her health care provider.

There is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment is often to limit pain and inflammation, and help ensure joint function. Treatment plans often use both short-term and long-term methods.

Short-term treatments include:

Medications. Short-term relief for pain and inflammation may include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Heat and cold. Pain may be eased by using moist heat (warm bath or shower) or dry heat (heating pad) on the joint. Pain and swelling may be eased with cold (ice pack wrapped in a towel) on the joint.

Joint immobilization. The use of a splint or brace can help a joint rest and protect it from further injury.

Massage. The light massage of painful muscles may increase blood flow and bring warmth to the muscle.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Pain may be reduced with the use of a TENS device. The device sends mild, electrical pulses to nerve endings in the painful area. This blocks pain signals to the brain and changes pain perception.

Acupuncture. This is the use of thin needles that are inserted at specific points in the body. It may stimulate the release of natural, pain-relieving chemicals made by the nervous system. The procedure is done by a licensed health care provider.

Long-term treatments include:

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These prescription medications may slow down the disease and treat any immune system problems linked to the disease. Examples of these medications include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and chlorambucil.

Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and swelling. These medications, such as prednisone, can be taken orally or as an injection.

Hyaluronic acid therapy. This is a joint fluid that appears to break down in people with osteoarthritis. It can be injected into a joint, such as the knee, to help relieve symptoms.

Surgery. There are many types of surgery, depending on which joints are affected. Surgery options may include arthroscopy, fusion, or joint replacement. Full recovery after surgery takes up to 6 months. A rehabilitation program after surgery is an important part of the treatment.

Arthritis treatment can include a team of health care providers, such as:

Orthopedist/orthopedic surgeon

Rheumatologist

Physiatrist

Primary care doctor (family medicine or internal medicine)

Rehabilitation nurse

Dietitian

Physical therapist

Occupational therapist

Social worker

Psychologist or psychiatrist

Recreational therapist

Vocational therapist

Because arthritis causes joints to worsen over time, it can cause disability. It can cause pain and movement problems. You may be less able to carry out normal daily activities and tasks.

There is no cure for arthritis. But its important to help keep joints working by reducing pain and inflammation. Work on a treatment plan with your healthcare provider that includes medicine and therapy. Work on lifestyle changes that can improve your quality of life. Lifestyle changes include:

Weight loss. Extra weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees.

Exercise. Some exercises may help reduce joint pain and stiffness. These include swimming, walking, low-impact aerobic exercise, and range-of-motion exercises. Stretching exercises may also help keep the joints flexible.

Activity and rest. To reduce stress on your joints, switch between activity and rest. This can help protect your joints and lessen your symptoms.

Using assistive devices. Canes, crutches, and walkers can help keep stress off certain joints and improve balance.

Using adaptive equipment. Reachers and grabbers let you extend your reach and reduce straining. Dressing aids help you get dressed more easily.

Managing use of medicines. Long-term use of some anti-inflammatory medicines can lead to stomach bleeding. Work with your healthcare provider to create a plan to reduce this risk.

Call your provider if your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms.

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases cause pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body.

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases can affect people of all ages. They are more common in women than men.

Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, or redness in 1 or more joints.

There is no cure for arthritis. The treatment goal is to limit pain and inflammation and preserve joint function.

Treatment options include medicines, weight reduction, exercise, and surgery.

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Arthritis | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ideal cardiovascular health metrics have better identification of arthritis - BMC Public Health  BMC Public Health

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Ideal cardiovascular health metrics have better identification of arthritis - BMC Public Health - BMC Public Health

Acupuncture for Arthritis: Benefits and Risks  Verywell Health

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Acupuncture for Arthritis: Benefits and Risks - Verywell Health

Why do arthritic horses have more trouble during the winter?  EQUUS Magazine

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Rather than roll over and die, I'm like, 'No, I still want to play': Steve Morse says arthritis diagnosis forced him to ...  Guitar.com

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What Is The Life Expectancy Of Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Review By Doctors  MSN

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What Is The Life Expectancy Of Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Review By Doctors - MSN

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Nature Coast Orthopaedics | arthritis care | medicare and most insurance accepted | Beverly Hills, FL | chronicleonline ... - Citrus County Chronicle

Millions of arthritis patients could struggle to get blockbuster drug, as CVS pulls it from pharmacies  Daily Mail

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Millions of arthritis patients could struggle to get blockbuster drug, as CVS pulls it from pharmacies - Daily Mail

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common type of arthritis. It can damage almost any joint but mainly occurs in the hands, spine, hips and knees. OA was once considered a wear-and-tear disease in which cartilage the protective layer on the ends of bones wore down after years of use. But with further research, the thinking about OA has changed. Doctors now know that OA is a disease of the whole joint, not just cartilage. Bones in affected joints become weaker, the connective tissue that holds the joint together deteriorates and inflammation damages the joint lining. Contrary to decades of belief, inflammation plays a key role in OA, just as it does in most other types of arthritis.

Theres also a growing consensus that inflammatory OA is one of several subtypes of osteoarthritis. Other subtypes include OA associated with:

Although the prevalence of OA tends to increase with age, its not an inevitable part of growing older. You can help prevent joint problems by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting foods that stoke inflammation like red meat, highly processed foods and sugar. Better bets? Berries, leafy greens, wild salmon, whole grains and olive oil.

If you already have mild to moderate joint pain and stiffness, regular physical activity, hot and cold therapies, judicious use of over-the-counter pain relievers and assistive devices may help manage your symptoms.

When joint symptoms are severe, causing limited mobility and affecting quality of life, you may want to discuss a surgical solution with your doctor.

Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis

A healthy immune system is protective. It generates inflammation to clear infections and heal injuries. But in inflammatory arthritis, the immune system is overactive, attacking healthy tissue, including joints in the spine, hands and feet. In some people, inflammation becomes systemic, damaging the eyes, skin, heart and other organs. Many, but not all types of inflammatory arthritis are considered autoimmune diseases because the immune system loses the ability to distinguish self from not-self and attacks the body its supposed to protect.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), gout and juvenile arthritis are less common and can be more challenging to diagnose.

Its not known what causes inflammatory arthritis in every person, but the general consensus is that something in the environment a virus, stress or smoking, for examples can trigger it in people who are genetically predisposed. Recent research has also highlighted the complex and critical role of gut microbes in immune-related inflammatory diseases like RA and PsA.

The trillions of mostly friendly bugs that live in your gut, skin and mouth, collectively called the microbiome, regulate immune cells throughout the body and shape how the immune system functions in various diseases. When these vast microbial communities get out of balance due to poor diet, antibiotic treatment, stress or some other factor, they may no longer regulate the immune response in a normal way. This is thought to be one of the key contributing factors to RA and other autoimmune-related inflammatory conditions.

With autoimmune and inflammatory types of arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Slowing disease activity can help minimize or prevent permanent joint damage as well as reduce pain and improve function and quality of life. Remission (defined as little to no disease activity) is always the goal, but low disease activity may be a more realistic target for some people.

This is usually best achieved with a combination of medications and a healthy lifestyle regular exercise, restful sleep, healthy food choices and less stress. The medication depends on the type of arthritis, the severity of symptoms and how well someone responds to a particular drug. For some people, the first medicine tried may not be the best fit. And some arthritis drugs can have unpleasant side effects or lose their effectiveness over time. It may take a few tries to find the right medication.

Infectious Arthritis

A bacterial, viral or fungal infection triggers infectious arthritis. It usually starts when an infection from another part of the body travels to a joint, usually the knee. Symptoms like swelling, pain and fever can be sudden and intense, but treatment with antibiotics or antifungals usually clears the infection pretty quickly. Most viral infections last a week or two and go away on their own. Some people with infectious arthritis may need to have their joint fluid drained to remove infected synovial fluid, reduce pain and inflammation and prevent joint damage.

Gout (Metabolic Arthritis)

Metabolic or gouty arthritis commonly known as gout results from a buildup in joints of painful uric acid crystals. These are a byproduct of the breakdown of purines substances normally found in human cells and many foods, especially red meat, organ meats, some seafoods and alcohol. Normally the body gets rid of excess uric acid, but when it doesnt, it can accumulate in joints, causing sudden and intense bouts of pain, especially the big toe.

However, most people with high uric acid levels never develop gout and many gout patients have normal uric acid. Some research suggests that certain factors in addition to uric acid might trigger gout. Possible culprits include damage from OA, disruptions in the microbiome and even white blood cells in the fluid inside joints.

Some people experience only one gout attack, or flare, and never have other symptoms. They dont typically require medication. People who have more than one gout flare or severe symptoms are typically prescribed uric acid-lowering drugs. Those drugs can have serious side effects (and may not address the real problem), so in addition to taking medication, patients are advised to adopt a mostly plant-based, low-purine diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and low-purine fish.

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What Is Arthritis? | Arthritis Foundation

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Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and depletion of strength and performance, is significantly more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when compared with controls when assessed using the updated European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2)criteria. Further, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH)definition showed a higher proportion of participants with sarcopenia in individuals with high body mass index (BMI) and fat mass, regardless of RA diagnosis, according to a study published in Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases.1

Currently, no consensus definition for sarcopenia exists, investigators explained. However, all definitions proposed recently include the assessment of muscle mass and muscle strength, yet different thresholds are being applied to determine these parameters. Hence, the existing data on the prevalence of sarcopenia vary, depending on the definition used and the respective population studied. However, it is well known that sarcopenia increases with advanced age. Whereas the amount of sarcopenia is found to be around 15% in 65 years, it rises up to 40% in 85-year-old healthy ambulatory subjects.

The single-center, cross-sectional study, performed at the CharitUniversittsmedizin Berlin, included 289 adult patients with RA. Appendicular lean was measured via dual x-ray absorptiometry and muscle function, including chair rise time, gait speed, and grip strength was assessed. EWGSOP2 and FNIH assessed the prevalence of sarcopenia. Patients with RA were then compared with a cohort of healthy controls (n = 280).

The mean age of patients in the RA cohort was 59 years, 80% were women, the median disease duration was 9 years, and most had a low disease activity score. Among patients with RA, 4.5%, (59.411.3 years) were affected by sarcopenia, compared with 0.4% of controls (62.911.9 years) by EWGSOP2 definition. Of those with RA, body weight (odds ratio [OR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97), BMI (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.87), disease duration (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.36), current medication with glucocorticoids (OR 5.25, 95% CI 2.14 to 24.18), cumulative dose of prednisone equivalent (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.05), C reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.10), and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.86) were associated with a sarcopenia diagnosis.

However, when using the FNIH definition, 2.8% of patients with RA and 0.7% of controls were affected by sarcopenia. In these participants, smaller body height (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88), higher BMI (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.41), higher CRP (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11), and higher HAQ (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.59) were linked to sarcopenia.

The cross-sectional design of the study, which did not allow for the determination of a causal relationship between sarcopenia and contributing factors, limited the study. Applying the same criteria to a control group without inflammatory disease showed that patients with RA are more likely to be affected by sarcopenia, low lean mass, and poor muscle function. However, it could not be determined whether patients with joint pain or joint destruction, caused by RA, impacted grip strength. Therefore, assessments may have been influenced by factors unrelated to muscle function. Future studies should evaluate the influence of pain and erosive lesions. Other studies are needed to determine risk factors and cut-off values for muscle mass and muscle function.

This research is a first step towards a deeper understanding of defining low muscle mass by using different muscle mass indices, investigators concluded. The 2 definitions were found to respond differently to the anthropometric characteristics of the cohort, resulting in different rates of prevalence. This shows the importance of a common definition of sarcopenia and the need for reliable methods to determine low muscle mass and the inclusion of muscle function.

Reference:

Dietzel R, Wiegmann S, Borucki D, et al. Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the revised EWGSOP2 and the FNIH definition.RMD Open. 2022;8(2):e002600. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002600

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Higher Prevalence of Sarcopenia Reported in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatology Network

Patients with arthritis are often first diagnosed with psoriasis. In this excerpt from a Dermatology Times DermView video episode1, 2 physicians explored the relationship between the skin and joint disorders, why the two are often related, and some of the medications that may bring relief for patients with both conditions.

About a third of our [patients with psoriasis] go on to psoriatic arthritis [PsA]...and we know there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood that a patient is going to develop psoriatic arthritis. That includes factors such as nail disease, inverse psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, more severe psoriasis, obesity, and family history of psoriatic arthritis, specifically in a first- or second-degree [relative], said Joseph Merola MD, MMSc, vice chair of clinical trials and innovation in the Department of Dermatology, director of the Clinical Unit for Research Innovation and Trials, and director of the Center for Skin and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases at Brigham and Womens Hospital and associate professor of dermatology and rheumatology at Harvard Medical. Although there may be a genetic risk factor, with overlap-ping risks between skin and joint disease, environmental factors can also trigger the immune response that becomes psoriasis and leads to psoriatic arthritis.

Mark Lebwohl, MD, dean of clinical therapeutics at the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sanai in New York, New York, noted that 70% of patients with arthritis are first diagnosed with psoriasis and that arthritis occurs before psoriasis 15% of the time. Plaque psoriasis is the predominant presenting form of psoriasis.

Lebwohl then explained the domains of the disease and the different preexisting conditions that dermatologists see in many patients before a diagnosis, including nail disease, scalp disease, or inverse and intertriginous psoriasis. I would say close to 20% come in with guttate psoriasis. [Pustular psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis are exceedingly rare], but those are deadly ones.... And of course, in plaque [psoriasis] we include inverse palm and sole psoriasis, [which is] less common than just plaque psoriasis.

Some patients also show signs of other types of arthritis, including the following:

The treatments for PsA also work for psoriasis. The physicians discussed a few widely used treatments such as TNF- blockers, IL-17 blockers, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Several Janus kinase inhibitors were approved in 2022 for the treatment of psoriasis and PsA, and Lebwohl said they work well, despite some boxed warnings that come with the drugs. He added that doctor involvement is key. It is up to the physician to ask questions to help the patient pinpoint the source of pain or stiffness. The physicians discussed the reasons a physician may choose one category of drug over another. They agree that TNF- blockers have the best evidence to date that they prevent heart attacks. For patients who have preexisting heart conditions, a drug in that category would be the first line of defense. Lebwohl explained this is important because of a marked increase in the risk of heart attacks in patients with psoriasis. If a patient has or had skin cancer, a TNF- blocker would not likely be the first choice, because a side effect is an increased risk of squamous cells.

In addition, they mentioned that patients with PsA who are pregnant could benefit from certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), a drug that does not contaminate breast milk and therefore will not cross the placenta. Dermatologists often start women of childbearing years on certolizumab pegol for that reason.

The patients weight also factors into some treatment plans. We know that one of the unique aspects of some of our infusion therapies, in particular infliximab (Remicade; Janssen Biotech, Inc), is that it is weight-based dosing, Merola said. It does offeralbeit off-labeldose flexibility around frequency dosing, IV [intravenous] dosing that is...weight based but has flexibility around frequency. I can do it every 4 weeks, every 8 weeks. I can do 5 mg/kg. I can do 10 mg/kg.

Merola noted that some of the highest efficacy in PsA was shown in findings from the GO-VIBRANT trial (NCT02181673) that examined intravenous golimumab (Simponi Aria).

The physicians also mentioned treatment options when a drug fails to yield positive results. Lebowhl and Merola described primary failure as the ineffectiveness of a drug; no history of a response. A secondary failure, they said, indicates a lack of response after an initial period of success. A practitioner may prescribe a new classification of drugs for a patient who experiences primary failure. In a secondary failure, the doctor may have to increase the dosing or move to a new treatment plan. Merola said that one cause for secondary failure is due to the patients development of antibodies; they would then have to prescribe an additional medication to suppress their formation.

Both physicians agreed that the number of drugs available for PsA is always increasing, which means more access for doctors and patients. We have robust data from studies that support that switching [medications] seems to be well tolerated, seems to continue efficacy for our patients with these disorders, Merola said. However, patients often have negative expectations about what changing drugs means, which may lead to confusion, more calls to the office, or failure to take the drugs.

Merola and Lebwohl concluded by talking about the importance of regular screenings for PsA or psoriasis patients. Merola suggested a frequency of every 6 months to record new or worsening symptoms and to keep track of disease progression.

Transcript edited for clarity and conciseness.

Reference

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Exploring the Relationship Between Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis - Dermatology Times

Rumor has it that eating too many tomatoes causes inflammation in the body, which can lead to arthritis symptoms. But are tomatoes really to blame? Should everyone with arthritis swear off the vegetable (or fruit, depending on who you ask)? Good thing you asked because its time to officially debunk this myth.

Arthritis is the degeneration and inflammation of the joints that causes uncomfortable symptoms like joint swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. There isnt a cure for arthritis, but diet *can* play a major role in mitigating inflammation and managing symptoms, says Melinda Ring, MD, an integrative medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine.

Certain foods are more likely to trigger inflammation in the body, she says. And while the foods you do or do not eat won't cure or eliminate all your arthritis troubles, they can make an impact.

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Read on to see what foods pass the inflammation test, and if tomatoes are in or out.

In short, no. There is really minimal scientific data that supports the elimination of tomatoes, or nightshades, by looking at inflammation markers or symptoms, says Dr. Ring. It is not an across the board statement that nobody with arthritis should eat them, because in fact, nightshade vegetables are rich in lots of really healthy phytonutrients.

So, why do tomatoes get such a bad rep? Nightshades, which are a family of plants including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, naturally produce a toxin called solanine, which is long believed to trigger inflammation and joint pain. But there is actually no scientific or medical link between the two. Instead, studies actually show that tomatoes can reduce systemic inflammation, and that solanine does not directly cause inflammation in humans. It's true purpose: to protect plants against animals and harmful fungi.

That being said, people do have individual sensitivities or intolerances to different foods, and tomatoes can potentially trigger arthritis symptoms in some, says Dr. Ring. If you find your joints are extra sore, swollen, or stiff after eating tomatoes (or any food for that matter), try an elimination diet.

If someone wants to see if they have a reaction to a food, including the nightshade category, eliminate [a specific food] for a couple of weeks, says Dr. Ring. Then, add it back into your diet, and see if you notice a different response in terms of pain.

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In other words, if arthritis symptoms disappear or lessen with the elimination of nightshades, it might be your bodys way of telling you to scale back.

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, but if you experience an immediate or severe reaction to a specific food, its time to check-in with your doctor or an allergist. Severe allergies or anaphylactic reactions to nightshades are rare, but if you have trouble breathing, or experience throat swelling or difficulty swallowing, stop eating immediately and seek medical care.

Simply put, yes. Sugar, processed foods, alcohol, charred foods, meats, additives, and gluten can cause inflammatory responses and can sometimes be avoided to minimize arthritis symptoms, says Dr. Ring.

But dont panic! Certain foods can trigger an inflammatory response for some and not others, so there is not one cure-all eating plan. However, a good rule of thumb for someone with arthritis is a plant-forward, Mediterranean diet, that focuses on whole and not processed foods, stresses Dr. Ring.

Certain foods can also help quench inflammation, she says, including foods that are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds, chia seeds, and fish like salmon and sardines, along with vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants also help with inflammation in the body, she says. In addition, turmeric, ginger, green tea, and fermented foods have also been shown to promote a healthy gut, support the body, and lower chronic inflammation, she explains.

But remember that not everyone reacts the same to all foods, and eating habits are extremely personalized. Ultimately, food should still be something that somebody enjoys and sees as pleasurable and nourishing, says Dr. Ring. While we should always be striving to improve our diet, we should also enjoy the food we eat.

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. Shes a mass consumer of social media and cares about womens rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.

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Are Tomatoes Bad For Arthritis? Here's What An MD Has To Say - Women's Health

Adverse events related to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy lack alternative treatments outside of glucocorticoids, which themselves may reduce the efficacy of ICI therapy in patients with cancer. Researchers in the COLAR trial examined whether interleukin-6 blockade with tocilizumab reduced ICI-induced colitis and arthritis and concluded that tocilizumab had promising efficacy and manageable safety profiles for this population.

The clinical trial, published in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, enrolled 20 patients. Participants had solid cancers and met Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) for grade >1 ICI-induced colitis/diarrhea (n=9), arthritis (n=9), or both (n=2).

Patients ICI treatments included pembrolizumab (n=10), nivolumab (n=4), or combined ipilimumab and nivolumab (n=5), and tocilizumab was administered at 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks. The primary end point of the study was improvement in colitis or arthritis.A total of 19 patients were included in the final analysis after 1 exclusion due to pancreatic insufficiency-induced diarrhea.

According to the researchers, 15 out of 19 (79%) patients achieved the primary end point of a 1 or greater reduction in CTCAE score within 8 weeks. One further patient achieved the primary end point at week 10, and one other maintained stable symptoms. Additionally, at week 24, 12 patients had ongoing improvement without glucocorticoids and 10 had complete remissions of ICI-induced colitis or arthritis.

In closing, the authors summarized that that tocilizumab demonstrated promising efficacy with manageable toxicity in patients with ICI-induced colitis and arthritis (84% clinical benefit rate), and highlighted that half of their patients were able to continue ICI treatment alongside tocilizumab.

Further studies are required to confirm these results and to eventually compare efficacy of tocilizumab with currently standard approaches in the treatment of ICI-induced toxicities, the researchers closed.

Find More Recent Arthritis and Rheumatology Research

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Tocilizumab for Treating ICI-Induced Arthritis and Colitis - DocWire News

Mini

Zimmer Biomet, a pioneer in making medical devices, is joining hands with Network18 to promote awareness about arthritis and bone health.

A right step towards educating people on arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions in India. More than 180 million people suffer from one of the numerous forms of the condition in the country. Arthritis is a general term that just refers to inflammation of a joint. The inflammation is often caused due to the gradual degeneration of the cartilage that covers and sheathes the joints. This results in irritation, pain, inflammation, stiffness and gradual loss of that joint.

With so many of us suffering from this debilitating disease, Zimmer Biomet, a pioneer in making medical devices, is joining hands with Network18 to promote awareness and talk about the concerns individuals regarding bone and joint health.

There are two main types of arthritis osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the former, damage to the cartilaginous tissue can occur from wear and tear. Injury, infection, lifestyle choices, age and genetic predisposition are some of the risk factors for osteoarthritis. It is the most frequent joint disease in the country with a prevalence of 22 percent to 39 percent, according to data from the National Health Portal.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that causes the bodys immune system to attack the lining of the joint capsule, called the synovial membrane, which then causes damage to the cartilage and bone. The risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis include family history, age, genetic predisposition and gender.

Arthritis can mean lowered workplace productivity in high-income countries due to timely intervention and access to healthcare. In countries like India, arthritis can mean loss of livelihood entirely due to the disease not being treated in time in most cases. Rheumatoid arthritis can especially be threatening to livelihoods as it is more common in younger individuals than osteoarthritis. The disease can also significantly impact the lifestyles of individuals who suffer from it, with arthritis quickly emerging to be the fourth most common cause of disability in India.

As a result of changing lifestyles, growing population and increasingly sedentary activity levels, the prevalence of all types of arthritis is also increasing steadily. Incidentally, suffering from arthritis further increases the chances of an individual suffering from other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular issues due to plummeting activity levels.

Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed using tests like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), both of which show elevated levels when a patient suffers from the disease. Osteoarthritis is usually detected through imaging techniques like X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and arthroscopy along with complementary laboratory tests.

The most common medicinal intervention is the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs not only help patients manage pain but also reduce other symptoms of the disease including inflammation and swelling.

Replacement arthroplasty, or joint replacement surgery, is also an electric surgical option that patients can opt for in case of severe damage to the joints, bone, or cartilage or in case of deformity of the joint. It is often considered a final option when other less invasive interventions are not working. Knee replacement surgeries alone in India hit the 2,00,000 mark in 2020, and the demand for joint replacement surgery is expected to grow in the country as advancements in science and surgery have made the procedure far more effective than before.

A joint replacement may be complete or partial and the life expectancy of the new artificial joints can be anywhere from a couple of years to decades depending on various other factors. Zimmet Biomets campaign with Network 18 will help readers educate themselves against the common disease and help explain options to existing patients. Through advancements in medical tech, holistic interventions have meant that arthritis patients are able to enjoy a better quality of life than ever before

First Published:Sep 30, 2022, 07:17 PM IST

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Why Arthritis Is A Clear And Present Danger, And How We Can Fight It - CNBCTV18

Arthritis is a condition that can be completely and utterly debilitating. According to Healthline, individuals can typically develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) anywhere between 30 to 50 years of age, while osteoarthritis (OA) usually occurs after 50 or 60 years of age. Arthritis is not something you can always prevent, so it's essential to know every possible way to address the pain as effectively as possible. We're here to share some exercise habits for arthritis in your 50s that you should be aware of. Read further so you can start some helpful tricks today.

We reached out to Dr. Mike Bohl, the Director of Medical Content & Education at Ro and a certified personal trainer. He informs us, "Exercising with arthritis is all about starting off easy and gradually progressing workouts to be longer and more difficult, as tolerated." For instance, some people may be limited to performing exercises in a five-minute session at first and can increase the length of their workout slowly over time. Others may feel more comfortable performing their routine in a seated position. This is a great start, as they can gradually work up to a standing position.

Related: Bad Fitness Habits That Are Rapidly Aging Your Body, Trainer Reveals

Dr. Bohl offers more suggestions you'll want to keep handy. "When it comes to aerobic exercise, low-to-moderate intensity is best," he shares, adding, "When it comes to resistance training, it's important to start with low repetitions of low weight." As you start to become more comfortable, you can step up the total reps. Note that it's always wise to stick with a lower weight. According to Dr. Bohl, your overall goal can be something like this: "Start with low repetition/low weight and progress to high repetition/low weight."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Related: The #1 Strength Workout To Regain Muscle Mass as You Age, Trainer Says

Individuals who suffer from arthritis may have balance issues or be a tad weaker. If that's the case, Dr. Bohl says balance exercises, stretching, and core-strengthening movements must be top priorities in your regular fitness regimen.

Another one of the best exercise habits for arthritis that Dr. Bohl shares is this. Circuit training can be quite beneficial for individuals dealing with arthritis. Circuit training is performing many various exercises back to back, rather than dedicating your entire workout time to simply one to two parts of your body or types of exercise.

Dr. Bohl does warn that individuals with arthritic conditions stay away from doing high-load or high-intensity exercises. This means no lifting heavy weights, steering clear of vigorous aerobic activities, and avoiding plyometrics.

Additionally, it's wise to avoid working out first thing in the morning, as this is the time when you likely endure a greater amount of stiffness and inability to move well. He tells us, "People with arthritis should use pain as a guidedon't do anything outside of a comfortable range of motion, and if they're experiencing an acute flare-up of arthritis symptoms, it may be best to avoid exercising altogether."

Alexa Mellardo

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5 Exercise Habits for Arthritis in Your 50s - Eat This, Not That

Arthritis refers to a diverse set of conditions characterised by inflammation in the joints. Joint pain and stiffness are the hallmark signs of arthritis. Unfortunately, there's no cure for arthritis, but you can alleviate the symptoms and reduce your risk of developing arthritis by leading a healthy lifestyle. With this in mind, research makes a strong case for packing cruciferous vegetables into your diet.

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy and cauliflower are some of the best examples.

Evidence suggests a natural compound found in these cruciferous vegetables called sulforaphane explains this effect .

"Research on mice shows sulforaphane blocks the inflammatory process and might slow cartilage damage in osteoarthritis (OA)," reports health body Arthritis Foundation AF).

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. It affects around a third of people aged 45 and over.

READ MORE:Arthritis: The 70p anticancer herb that may reverse painful inflammation in the joints

Indeed, the Mayo Clinic spent more than a decade studying the effects of antioxidant-rich cruciferous vegetables in preventing arthritis.

The study, published in the journal American Journal of Epidemiology, involved 29,368 women who were aged 55 to 69 years at the beginning of the study in 1986.

By the end of the study in 1997, 152 cases of rheumatoid arthritis were identified.

After controlling for other risk factors, cruciferous vegetables also "exhibited trends" toward a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

READ MORE:Arthritis: Certain seed has significant anti-inflammatory properties - study

In their conclusion, the researchers noted that a diet high in cruciferous vegetables, may be "protective against the development of rheumatoid arthritis".

While thin on the ground, more recent human studies have echoed these results.

Researchers in a 2014 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics evaluated associations of vegetable intake with a panel of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers among 1,005 middle-aged Chinese women.

Dietary intake of foods was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire.

The study suggested that the previously observed health benefits of cruciferous vegetable consumption may be partly associated with the anti-inflammatory effects of these vegetables.

The research to date is encouraging but human evidence remains scarce.

Further research must be conducted on human subjects before recommendations can be made.

Nonetheless, cruciferous vegetables are low-calorie, and rich in folate, vitamins C, E, and K, and fibre, making them essential to a healthy, balanced diet.

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Arthritis: Five cruciferous veg 'block inflammatory process' - backed by 10-year study - Express

Arthritis comes in many forms but one that commonly afflicts Britons is gout. As the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) explains, gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is "very painful". It usually affects one joint at a time (often the big toe joint), the CDC notes. It may come as a surprise to hear that certain types of fish can trigger gout symptoms.

This effect owes to the purine content found in fish. The Arthritis Foundation (AF) explains: "Purine compounds, whether produced in the body or from eating high-purine foods, can raise uric acid levels.

"Excess uric acid can produce uric acid crystals, which then build up in soft tissues and joints, causing the painful symptoms of gout."

Given the risks posed by high-purine foods, gout sufferers should "strive to limit" them, says the AF.

Fish high in purine includes anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout and haddock, adds the health body.

READ MORE:Arthritis symptoms: Three drinks proven to reduce inflammation ease sore joints

According to the NHS, eating a healthy, balanced diet can help to keep painful gout symptoms at bay.

"Your doctor may give you a list of foods to include or limit," notes the health body.

In general, a healthy, balanced diet means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

"Most people in the UK eat and drink too many calories, too much saturated fat, sugar and salt, and not enough fruit, vegetables, oily fish or fibre," warns the NHS.

READ MORE:Arthritis warning: Refined carbohydrates directly 'cause' inflammation - 'avoid or limit'

Gout can be effectively treated and managed with medical treatment and self-management strategies.

"Treatment for flares consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, steroids, and the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine," explains the CDC.

According to the health body, making changes to your diet and lifestyle, such as losing weight, limiting alcohol, eating less purine-rich food (such as red meat or organ meat), may help prevent future attacks.

"Changing or stopping medications associated with hyperuricemia (like diuretics) may also help."

If you have frequent attacks or high levels of uric acid in your blood, you may need to take uric acid-lowering medicine, adds the NHS.

According to the health body, it's important to take uric acid-lowering medicine regularly, even when you no longer have symptoms.

It says to:

Do not put any pressure on the affected joint, the NHS adds.

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Arthritis: 8 types of fish can cause acid crystals to build up in joints - 'very painful' - Express

The scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion of the type II variation application of filgotinib (Jyseleca, Galapagos NV) based on testicular function safety data from the MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies, a company press release indicates.

Filgotinib is a small molecule that selectively inhibits Janus kinase (JAK) type 1. It is approved in the European Union for treating adults with moderate to severe RA and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

The type II variation regulatory application was submitted to EMA in June 2022 in an effort to amend the European label of filgotinib based on data from the MANTA study in men with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and the MANTA-RAy study in men with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or nonradiographic axial spondylarthritis. Both studies are investigating the potential effect of filgotinib use on semen parameters and sex hormones.

"This positive CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) opinion marks a key milestone for Jyseleca and provides important information for patients and physicians, given [filgotinib] is the only anti-inflammatory drug that has been evaluated in a robust large-scale, placebo-control trial program for the potential effect on male reproduction," Galapagos Chief Medical Officer Walid Abi-Saab, MD, said in a statement.

"We will now work to update all relevant label information and materials with the aim to increase access to Jyseleca so that European patients who may benefit from the treatment are able to receive it.

Following assessment of the interim data from MANTA, CHMP concluded that the data did not reveal a difference between treatment groups in the proportion of patients who had a 50% or more decrease from baseline in semen parameters at either week 13 or at week 26. At week 13, the pooled primary endpoint occurred in 6.7% of patients treated with filgotinib, compared with 8.3% of placebo controls.

Moreover, CHMP concluded that the interim MANTA data did not show any relevant changes in sex hormone levels or change from baseline in semen parameters across treatment groups. Overall, CHMP concluded that these clinical data were not suggestive of any filgotinib-related treatment effects on testicular function.

The design of the MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies were published in Advances in Therapy in June 2022. Both are phase 2 studies and include men between 21 and 65 years of age. Semen parameter values were sampled at baseline and included semen volume, total sperm/ejaculate count, sperm concentration and motility, and normal sperm morphology.

Each trial was initially carried out as a 13-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled period during which the effects of filgotinib 200 mg on semen parameters were compared with that of placebo. The study designs diverged owing to disease-specific consideration from week 13 onward, but all subjects with a 50% or greater decrease in sperm parameters will continue on until reversibility is shown or up to a maximum of 52 weeks, with standard of care as treatment.

Following the positive CHMP opinion, the language in the section of the special warnings and precautions will be removed from the Summary of Product Characteristics and the MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies will be removed from the Risk Management Plan.

In a review of currently available data, results from a phase 3 study in which patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis were treated with filgotinib showed that treatment is both effective and has a reassuring safety profile. Furthermore, treatment was not associated with a greater risk of thrombosis or herpes zoster infections, compared with other JAK inhibitors.

On the other hand, review authors did point out that preclinical studies reported impaired spermatogenesis and histopathologic effects on male reproductive organs in animals exposed to filgotinib, making it necessary to further explore this aspect of potential safety issue in human studies.

Galapagos is planning to publish the results of the MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies in a peer-reviewed journal next year.

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EMA Issues Positive Opinion on the Safety of Filgotinib - Medscape