StemCell Therapy

Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic conditions who want to breastfeed their newborns are generally able to so. Thats the finding from research presented at the 2019 annual meetingof the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta on November 11, 2019.

Related: Can a Woman Who Has Rheumatoid Arthritis Have Kids?

Still, not every woman living with rheumatic disease with this desire does follow through, in some cases because of unfounded concerns about the safety of medicines they may be taking, says study coauthor Megan Clowse, MD, director of the Duke Autoimmunity in Pregnancy Clinic and associate professor of medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

The good news is we found quite high levels of women desiring to breastfeed, and high numbers of those successfully doing so, Dr. Clowse says.

The 265 women in the study were part of a pregnancy registry Clowse set up for her practice a decade ago. There are a lot of women with rheumatic diseases who want to breastfeed, but there was very little data about this. When I set up the registry, I made sure we asked about breastfeeding, she says.

Related: People Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis Develop Resilience by Dealing With Disease Challenges

Before they delivered, 79 percent of the pregnant women indicated their desire to nurse. By the time of their postpartum visit an average of 7.5 weeks after delivering, three-quarters of these women were in fact doing so.

This means 25 percent of the women who had hoped to breastfeed were not. Some had tried but stopped, in some cases because they couldnt develop a milk supply or because their baby had health issues.

Other women said they gave up breastfeeding because they worried that the medicines they were taking might possibly pass through to the baby.

This mindset echoes the results of a survey conducted among members of the arthritis community CreakyJoints, presented at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in September 2017.

In that survey, 86 percent of women said they had either avoided taking medicines while breastfeeding, or they stopped nursing prematurely in order to resume the drugs needed to avoid postpartum flares.

Related: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Anatomy of a Flare

But for almost all rheumatoid arthritismedication, this concern is unfounded, Clowse says. New mothers can safely nurse on nearly all RA drugs in use today, she says.

Thats because medicines like Enbrel (etanercept) and Remicade (infliximab) dont readily pass to a baby through mothers milk, and any that do get through, especially with full-term infants, are not well absorbed by their gut, according to Mother to Baby, a website created by experts on birth defect risks.

Related: Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication

Clowse even tells patients they can nurse while taking methotrexate, a medicine that women must avoid while pregnant. Breastfeeding is a different biology from pregnancy. There is very minimal transfer in breast milk, she says.

The one type of medicine Clowse does restrict from nursing mothers is small-molecule Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as Xeljanz (tofacitinib), primarily because they are so new that there is not enough data on its nursing safety.

Clowse admits that she is especially enthusiastic about allowing patients to breastfeed, because she knows first hand that it can be an important part of a mothers experience.

Plus, breast milk is so healthy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), breast milk contains antibodies that protect infants from ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and allergies. It also can make it easier for moms to lose pregnancy weight, and it may reduce her risks of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. This is why ACOG recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, or longer if it is mutually desired by the mother and baby.

Related: How to Find a Rheumatologist

Clowse knows that her encouragement is likely more pronounced than that of other rheumatologists, and likely explains the high numbers she found in her study, she says.

In this research, women who exclusively formula-fed babies were likely to be younger and have less education and lower incomes than nursing mothers. Although black women in her study were less likely to nurse than whites, Clowse says that was related more to the education levels of the women in her registry than their race.

If your doctor erroneously tells you that you cannot nurse on any of the medicines you are taking, you can show them the information from Mother to Baby. Theres actual data, so you dont have to base the decision on myth, Clowse says.

The reality is you can breastfeed on almost all RA medication. You dont have to pick between taking care of your disease and breastfeeding your baby, she asserts.

Aimee Matsumoto, a public relations professional in Pasadena, California,who blogs about her experience having RA, is a new mom who is determined to nurse her infant. Matsumoto is not on any medicines, having had bad reactions to those she has previously tried.

Related: Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Matsumoto was fortunate to go into remission during her pregnancy, but since her baby was born 9 months ago, her pain has come back with a vengeance. When her joints flare, it can be hard to breastfeed because of the challenges of holding the baby in a nursing position, she says.

Matsumoto overcomes this by using a nursing pillow, such as My Brest Friend, to take the weight off her hands. Other time she feeds her baby while both are lying down.

Related: Rheumatoid Arthritis: 20 Home Upgrades for Under $20

A lactation consultant is the best person to help you figure out ways you can nurse that protect your joints.

You can find one near you on the website of the International Lactation Consultant Association.

See the rest here:
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Breastfeeding: What Women With RA Need to Know - Everyday Health

Compared with seven other biologics and a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, the anti-IL-12/23 biologic ustekinumab was associated with a generally lower risk of serious infection requiring hospitalization in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, researchers reported on November 12 at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in Atlanta.

The study included 123,383 adults (mean age 48, 50% female) with psoriasis or psoriatic arthrits who started treatment with a biologic DMARD (ustekinumab, secukinumab, ixekizumab, or a TNFi (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab, golimumab) or the oral phosphodiesterase inhibitorapremilast.

Of the patients included in the analysis, 61 percent had psoriasis, 22 percent had psoriatic arthritis and 17 percent had both."Of 123,383 PsO or PsA patients, ustekinumab initiators had a generally lower risk of hospitalized serious infection compared to TNFi, IL-17 therapy, and apremilast initiators," reported Seoyoung C. Kim, M.D., of Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston. Hospitalized serious infections were highest in patients who were prescribed infliximab and lowest in those who received ixekizumab and ustekinumab.

Ultimately, ustekinumab had a lower risk of hospitalized serious infection compared to other bDMARDs or apremilast. However, how well ustekinumab performed as compared to certolizumab and golimumab could not be determined due to the small sample size.Overall, data was consistent across all eight agents, though statistically weaker for certolizumab and golimumab.

The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of hospitalized serious bacterial, viral, or opportunistic infection. Follow-up started the first day a drug was dispensed and ran until the outcome was met, the database ended, or a patient left the study, died, or discontinued or switched drugs.

Having rigorous real-world based safety data directly comparing several drugs with a similar clinical indication is important when discussing a treatment option with patients and making a better-informed medical decision, Dr. Kim reported.

REFERENCEL01 - Comparative Risk of Hospitalized Serious Infection in Patients with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: A Population-Based Multi-Database Study, Seoyoung C. Kim, MD, ScD, MSCE, 9 a.m., Tuesday, Nov 12. American College of Rheumatology 2019 annual meeting, Atlanta.

Follow this link:
Ustekinumab Linked to Lower Serious Infection Rates in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis - Rheumatology Network

The company said its RA 360 solution will support employees to reduce or maintain their current level of drug use

eWellness Healthcare Corporation (), the pioneer in physical therapy telehealth treatments, announced Tuesday that it is developing a new rheumatoid arthritis treatment platform called RA360.

In a statement, the Culver City, California-based company, said the new platform is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2020.

Rheumatoid arthritis and related autoimmune disorders are the leading cause of illness and disability in the US.

In 2019, one in four Americans has arthritis, or one of its 100 related autoimmune disorders, according to the company.

Those with rheumatoid arthritis will need to go on disability or stop work entirely within 2 years of onset, the group added.

However, the company said that its innovative RA360 solution will support employees to reduce or maintain their current level of theraputic drug use.

The company notes that costs associated with arthritis hit $128 billion in 2005, while other studies put the cost closer to $353 billion when payouts, lost wages and other associated medical costs were stacked up.

According to eWellness Healthcare, a reduction in symptoms will alleviate stress on the health care system and the employer.

Arthritis isnt an individual problem, its everyones problem. The damage cannot be undone but can be managed, the company added, while making the case that its new rheumatoid arthritis treatment platform RA360 was part of the solution.

eWellness Healthcare is the first physical therapy telehealth company to offer real-time distance monitored assessments and treatments.

Contact Uttara Choudhury at[emailprotected]

Follow her onTwitter:@UttaraProactive

Continued here:
eWellness Healthcare developing new rheumatoid arthritis treatment platform RA360 - Proactive Investors USA & Canada

BACKGROUND:

Recent studies have demonstrated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have deranged coagulation parameters predisposing them to venous thromboembolisms (VTEs). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients who have RA undergoing primary TKA have higher rates of (1) VTEs; (2) readmission rates; and (3) costs of care.

Patients who have RA undergoing primary TKA were identified and matched to controls in a 1:5 ratio by age, sex, and comorbidities. Exclusions included patients with a history of VTEs and hypercoagulable states. Primary outcomes analyzed included rates of 90-day VTEs, along with lower extremity deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolisms, 90-day readmission rates, in addition to day of surgery, and 90-day costs of care. A P-value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

Patients who have RA were found to have significantly higher incidence and odds (OR) of VTEs (1.9 vs 1.3%; OR: 1.51, P < .0001), deep vein thromboses (1.6 vs 1.1%; OR: 1.55, P < .0001), and pulmonary embolisms (0.4 vs 0.3%; OR: 1.26, P= .0001). Study group patients also had significantly higher incidence and odds of readmissions (21.6 vs 14.1%; OR: 1.67, P < .0001) compared to controls. In addition, RA patients incurred significantly higher day of surgery ($12,475.17 vs $11,428.96; P < .0001) and 90-day costs of care ($15,937.34 vs $13,678.85; P < .0001).

After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, the study found patients who have RA undergoing primary TKA had significantly higher rates of VTEs, readmissions, and costs.

Read the original:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Increases Venous Thromboemboli, Readmissions, and Costs of Care After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Matched-Control Analysis...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that positive results from a Phase 3 investigational study of tofacitinib in children and adolescents aged two to less than 18 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) will be presented for the first time during a late-breaking oral presentation at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) Annual Meeting (November 8-13, Atlanta, GA). The study of tofacitinib in JIA is investigative and JIA is not an FDA-approved indication for XELJANZ. Pfizer has plans to file for the indication in 2020.

The JIA study is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled withdrawal study that included 225 patients with polyarticular course JIA (n=184), psoriatic arthritis (n=20) or enthesitis related arthritis (n=21). The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib taken as either a 5 mg tablet or as a 1 mg/mL oral solution twice daily based on the subjects body weight.

The trial met its primary endpoint showing that in patients with polyarticular JIA, the occurrence of disease flare in patients treated with tofacitinib was significantly lower than patients treated with placebo at week 44. In this study, disease flare was defined as a 30 percent or more worsening in at least three of the six variables of the JIA core set (outcome measures used in JIA clinical trials).

The most common adverse events in this study of any treatment group were upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nasopharyngitis, nausea, pyrexia, disease progression, vomiting and JIA. There were no cases of death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), malignancies, thrombosis, opportunistic infection or tuberculosis. There were two patients with herpes zoster and four patients with serious infections in the tofacitinib treatment arm throughout the course of the study.

Pediatric patients living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis need additional options, including oral therapies, to treat this chronic inflammatory disease, said Michael Corbo, Chief Development Officer, Inflammation & Immunology, Pfizer Global Product Development. We are encouraged by the results from our pivotal Phase 3 investigational study of tofacitinib in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and look forward to filing for this indication with the FDA in 2020.

About the JIA Study

The A3921104 Phase 3 study had two phases. During the run-in phase, all subjects enrolled in the study received open-label tofacitinib for 18 weeks. At the end of the 18-week run in phase, only subjects who achieved at least a JIA ACR30 response were randomized into the 26-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, withdrawal phase to receive either tofacitinib or placebo through the end of the study duration at week 44. For more information about study A3921104, please visit https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About XELJANZ (tofacitinib)

XELJANZ (tofacitinib) is approved in the U.S. for adult patients in three indications: moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after methotrexate failure, active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) after disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) failure and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) after tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) failure. XELJANZ has been studied in more than 50 clinical trials worldwide, including more than 20 trials in RA patients, and prescribed to over 208,000 adult patients (the majority of whom were RA patients) worldwide in the last seven years. 1,2,3

As the developer of tofacitinib, Pfizer is committed to advancing the science of JAK inhibition and enhancing understanding of tofacitinib through robust clinical development programs in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory conditions.

FDA APPROVED INDICATIONS

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis

It is important to note that a dosage of Xeljanz 10 mg twice daily is not recommended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

Ulcerative Colitis

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

SERIOUS INFECTIONS

Patients treated with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.

If a serious infection develops, interrupt XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR until the infection is controlled.

Reported infections include:

The most common serious infections reported with XELJANZ included pneumonia, cellulitis, herpes zoster, urinary tract infection, diverticulitis, and appendicitis. Avoid use of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients with an active, serious infection, including localized infections, or with chronic or recurrent infection.

In the UC population, XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily was associated with greater risk of serious infections compared to 5 mg twice daily. Opportunistic herpes zoster infections (including meningoencephalitis, ophthalmologic, and disseminated cutaneous) were seen in patients who were treated with XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily.

The risks and benefits of treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR should be carefully considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection, or those who have lived or traveled in areas of endemic TB or mycoses. Viral reactivation including herpes virus and Hepatitis B reactivation have been reported. Screening for viral hepatitis should be performed in accordance with clinical guidelines before starting therapy.

Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating therapy.

Caution is also recommended in patients with a history of chronic lung disease, or in those who develop interstitial lung disease, as they may be more prone to infection.

MORTALITY

Rheumatoid arthritis patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular (CV) risk factor treated with XELJANZ 10 mg twice a day had a higher rate of all-cause mortality, including sudden CV death, compared to those treated with XELJANZ 5 mg given twice daily or TNF blockers in a large, ongoing, postmarketing safety study.

XELJANZ 10mg twice daily or XELJANZ XR 22mg once daily is not recommended for the treatment of RA or PsA. For UC, use XELJANZ at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration needed to achieve/maintain therapeutic response.

MALIGNANCIES

Lymphoma and other malignancies have been observed in patients treated with XELJANZ. Epstein Barr Virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder has been observed at an increased rate in renal transplant patients treated with XELJANZ and concomitant immunosuppressive medications.

Consider the risks and benefits of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment prior to initiating therapy in patients with a known malignancy other than a successfully treated non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or when considering continuing XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients who develop a malignancy.

Malignancies (including solid cancers and lymphomas) were observed more often in patients treated with XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily dosing in the UC long-term extension study.

Other malignancies were observed in clinical studies and the post-marketing setting including, but not limited to, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. NMSCs have been reported in patients treated with XELJANZ. In the UC population, treatment with XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily was associated with greater risk of NMSC. Periodic skin examination is recommended for patients who are at increased risk for skin cancer.

THROMBOSIS

Thrombosis, including pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, and arterial thrombosis, has been observed at an increased incidence in RA patients who were 50 years of age and older with at least one CV risk factor treated with XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily compared to XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or TNF blockers in a large, ongoing postmarketing safety study. Many of these events were serious and some resulted in death. Avoid XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients at risk. Discontinue XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR and promptly evaluate patients with symptoms of thrombosis. For patients with UC, use XELJANZ at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration needed to achieve/maintain therapeutic response. XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily or XELJANZ XR 22 mg once daily is not recommended for the treatment of RA or PsA. In a long-term extension study in UC, four cases of pulmonary embolism were reported in patients taking XELJANZ 10 mg twice a day, including one death in a patient with advanced cancer.

GASTROINTESTINAL PERFORATIONS

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in XELJANZ clinical trials, although the role of JAK inhibition is not known. In these studies, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis were receiving background therapy with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). There was no discernable difference in frequency of gastrointestinal perforation between the placebo and the XELJANZ arms in clinical trials of patients with UC, and many of them were receiving background corticosteroids. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR should be used with caution in patients who may be at increased risk for gastrointestinal perforation (e.g., patients with a history of diverticulitis or taking NSAIDs).

HYPERSENSITIVITY

Angioedema and urticaria that may reflect drug hypersensitivity have been observed in patients receiving XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR some events were serious. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, promptly discontinue tofacitinib while evaluating the potential cause or causes of the reaction.

LABORATORY ABNORMALITIES

Lymphocyte Abnormalities: Treatment with XELJANZ was associated with initial lymphocytosis at one month of exposure followed by a gradual decrease in mean lymphocyte counts. Avoid initiation of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment in patients with a count less than 500 cells/mm3. In patients who develop a confirmed absolute lymphocyte count less than 500 cells/mm3, treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is not recommended. Risk of infection may be higher with increasing degrees of lymphopenia and consideration should be given to lymphocyte counts when assessing individual patient risk of infection. Monitor lymphocyte counts at baseline and every 3 months thereafter.

Neutropenia: Treatment with XELJANZ was associated with an increased incidence of neutropenia (less than 2000 cells/mm3) compared to placebo. Avoid initiation of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment in patients with an ANC less than 1000 cells/mm3. For patients who develop a persistent ANC of 500-1000 cells/mm3, interrupt XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR dosing until ANC is greater than or equal to 1000 cells/mm3. In patients who develop an ANC less than 500 cells/mm3, treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is not recommended. Monitor neutrophil counts at baseline and after 4-8 weeks of treatment and every 3 months thereafter.

Anemia: Avoid initiation of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment in patients with a hemoglobin level less than 9 g/dL. Treatment with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR should be interrupted in patients who develop hemoglobin levels less than 8 g/dL or whose hemoglobin level drops greater than 2 g/dL on treatment. Monitor hemoglobin at baseline and after 4-8 weeks of treatment and every 3 months thereafter.

Liver Enzyme Elevations: Treatment with XELJANZ was associated with an increased incidence of liver enzyme elevation compared to placebo. Most of these abnormalities occurred in studies with background DMARD (primarily methotrexate) therapy. If drug-induced liver injury is suspected, the administration of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR should be interrupted until this diagnosis has been excluded. Routine monitoring of liver tests and prompt investigation of the causes of liver enzyme elevations is recommended to identify potential cases of drug-induced liver injury.

Lipid Elevations: Treatment with XELJANZ was associated with dose-dependent increases in lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Maximum effects were generally observed within 6 weeks. There were no clinically relevant changes in LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios. Manage patients with hyperlipidemia according to clinical guidelines. Assessment of lipid parameters should be performed approximately 4-8 weeks following initiation of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR therapy.

VACCINATIONS

Avoid use of live vaccines concurrently with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. The interval between live vaccinations and initiation of tofacitinib therapy should be in accordance with current vaccination guidelines regarding immunosuppressive agents. Update immunizations in agreement with current immunization guidelines prior to initiating XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR therapy.

PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL NARROWING

Caution should be used when administering XELJANZ XR to patients with pre-existing severe gastrointestinal narrowing. There have been rare reports of obstructive symptoms in patients with known strictures in association with the ingestion of other drugs utilizing a non-deformable extended release formulation.

HEPATIC and RENAL IMPAIRMENT

Use of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended.

For patients with moderate hepatic impairment or with moderate or severe renal impairment taking XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily, reduce to XELJANZ 5 mg once daily.

For UC patients with moderate hepatic impairment or with moderate or severe renal impairment taking XELJANZ 10 mg twice daily, reduce to XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common serious adverse reactions were serious infections. The most commonly reported adverse reactions during the first 3 months in controlled clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily and placebo, respectively, (occurring in greater than or equal to 2% of patients treated with XELJANZ with or without DMARDs) were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, headache, and hypertension. The safety profile observed in patients with active psoriatic arthritis treated with XELJANZ was consistent with the safety profile observed in RA patients.

Adverse reactions reported in 5% of patients treated with either 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily of XELJANZ and 1% greater than reported in patients receiving placebo in either the induction or maintenance clinical trials for UC were: nasopharyngitis, elevated cholesterol levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, rash, diarrhea, and herpes zoster.

USE IN PREGNANCY

Available data with XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR use in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and the fetus associated with rheumatoid arthritis and UC in pregnancy. In animal studies, tofacitinib at 6.3 times the maximum recommended dose of 10 mg twice daily demonstrated adverse embryo-fetal findings. The relevance of these findings to women of childbearing potential is uncertain. Consider pregnancy planning and prevention for females of reproductive potential.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING for XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR available at: http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=959.

Pfizer Inc.: Breakthroughs that change patients lives

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at http://www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on http://www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of November 12, 2019. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.

This release contains forward-looking information about XELJANZ (tofacitinib) and a potential new indication for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; risks associated with interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from our clinical studies; uncertainties regarding the commercial success of XELJANZ and XELJANZ XR; uncertainties regarding the commercial impact of the update to the U.S. prescribing information for XELJANZ and XELJANZ XR; uncertainties regarding the commercial impact of any potential actions by other regulatory authorities, including as a result of the ongoing review by the European Medicines Agencys scientific committee, based on analysis of clinical trial A3921133 or other data, which will depend, in part, on labeling determinations; whether and when any applications for the potential new indication for XELJANZ may be filed in any jurisdictions; whether and when any applications that may be filed for the potential new indication or that may be pending or filed for any other potential indications for XELJANZ or XELJANZ XR in any jurisdictions may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the products benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the products efficacy, and, if approved, whether they will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, safety, manufacturing processes and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of XELJANZ and XELJANZ XR; and competitive developments.

A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizers Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at http://www.sec.gov and http://www.pfizer.com.

_______________________1 Pfizer Data on File. XELJANZ Worldwide Registration Status.2 ClinicalTrials.gov. Tofacitinib RA Studies. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=tofacitinib%2C+rheumatoid+arthritis%2C+ORAL&type=&rslt=&recr=&age_v=&gndr=&cond=Rheumatoid+Arthritis&intr=&titles=&outc=&spons=&lead=&id=&state1=&cntry1=&state2=&cntry2=&state3=&cntry3=&locn=&rcv_s=&rcv_e=&lup_s=&lup_e=. Accessed August 1, 2019.3 Pfizer. Data on File. Tofa Counts. April 2019

Link:
Pfizer Announces Results of Phase 3 Study for XELJANZ (tofacitinib) in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Ahead of Presentation at 2019 American College of...

The late Gary Middleton, founder of Little Rock design, marketing and print-solutions company Magna IV, was one of the first chairmen for the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis.

As a result, Magna IV has remained a strong supporter of the annual fundraiser, and so has Steven Schilling, the company's director of sales.

Schilling, a longtime Arthritis Foundation board member, has taken over as the Jingle Bell Run chairman for the fourth year in a row. That follows four years as the event's volunteer coordinator.

As chairman, his job, besides the actual raising of the money, is to find sponsors, vendors and volunteers and watch over the logistics, which, considering the scope of the event, can be formidable. It incorporates 10K and 5K runs, a one-mile walk and an Elf Run for kids.

"I've been with Magna IV for 26 years," Schilling says. "The owner was involved, so that's how I got involved."

This year's run is on Dec. 7, starting and ending at the Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock. The course takes runners and walkers to the Broadway Bridge, which they traverse into North Little Rock, returning south of the river over the Junction Bridge.

Arthritis Foundation chapters stage an annual Jingle Bell Run in more than 100 cities nationwide. The foundation bills it as the longest-running, holiday-theme 5K race in the United States and "the original festive race for charity, bringing people from all walks of life together to champion arthritis research and resources."

Register at jbr.org/LittleRock. Participants are encouraged to wear a seasonal costume and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. "Every runner gets jingle bells, so as the race progresses, there's a lot of jingling going on," Schilling says.

They're also encouraged to sign up in teams, although individual runners and walkers are welcome. Last year's event drew 800, most of them forming about 50 teams, Schilling says. He's hoping to have at least that many taking part this year, and to raise as much or more than last year's $75,000 take.

The money comes from sponsorships and registration fees, which range from $40 in advance, $45 day of race, for the timed 10K (which includes T-shirt, timing chip, gear check and bells) to $30 for what the foundation calls "Jingle in Your Jammies" ("Can't attend the event, but still want to be part of the fun? Choose this option to receive a shirt and [raise funds] for a cure!") -- and, Schilling adds "You get to stay in bed."

In addition to T-shirts, participants get goody bags (L'Oreal is a national sponsor, so they usually include makeup and lipsticks) and a small amount of free food, primarily, at least in years past, sliced fruit. Ben E. Keith is supplying water.

The event requires 30-40 volunteers for setup, post-race tear-down and keeping things running in between. Schilling says about two-thirds of those come each year from the Central High ROTC.

"They're required to have community service hours," he explains, and because their mission is military, "they're on time and eager to work." During the race they're out on the course, operating water stations and "making sure runners are where they're supposed to be."

Things kick off around 9:15 a.m., as participants register and pick up packets and timing chips, the Elf Village (kids zone) and vendor booths open, choral groups sing Christmas carols and attendees can take pictures with Santa. The Kids Run begins at 10:15, followed by the 10K at 10:30, the 5K at 11 and the Joe Cook 1 Mile Memorial Walk, named for the chairman who was Schilling's predecessor, at 11:10. An awards ceremony is slated for 11:40.

There are also costume contests for humans -- and pets.

"Some people show up that have nothing to do with the run," Schilling says. "They just want to enter their pet in the contest." It doesn't draw too many unusual pets -- mostly dogs and cats, although Schilling says if you have, say, a monitor lizard, it's welcome. "But you get some crazy costumes," he says. For example: "We've had some very small dogs dressed as very big reindeer."

Humans often show up in very ugly Christmas sweaters. "I've seen some pretty horrendous sweaters," he adds.

It's all part of what he describes as the event's family-friendly, laid-back approach and fun vibe.

More than 54 million Americans live with arthritis, including 673,000 in Arkansas, according to foundation statistics. Schilling says he's one of those.

"The Jingle Bell Run is a 28-year tradition in Little Rock and known nationally as the original festive race for charity," says Angela Harris, the state chapter's executive director.

"Our honorees and volunteers are what make this event successful and memorable every year, and this year we're humbled to honor Sherry Little, who is a true Arthritis Warrior and continually commits her time to raising awareness and funds for our cause year after year." Little has walked more than 15 years in honor of her daughter, Michelle, and to "spread awareness [that] arthritis can strike at any age."

Lindee and Lola Throckmorton are this year's young honorees; other laureates include Brian Barnett of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Spine Institute, corporate chair; Dr. Joel Smith, medical honoree; Martin Orthopedics; and presenting sponsor BKD.

Schilling's volunteer credentials include four years as a coach for Resurrecting Baseball in the Inner City, based at Little Rock's Lamar Porter Field, aimed at giving at-risk teens something to do in the summers. He also volunteered for more than 20 years as a coach for his three kids' youth soccer, baseball, basketball and football teams, but that's over -- his youngest is turning 21.

He stepped away from the foundation for a while but returned to the board eight years ago.

"The race was so important to Mr. Middleton, and out of my relationship to and respect for him, it became important to me. And my employer, Magna IV, has been very supportive of my involvement."

Photo by Eric E. HarrisonSteven Schilling credits his relationship with and respect for Gary Middleton, founder of Magna IV and a strong supporter of the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation and its Jingle Bell Run, for his involvement with the foundation.

High Profile on 11/10/2019

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Magna IV true to tradition in jingling run for arthritis - Arkansas Online

Graph 1

Vectra Predicts Risk of Radiographic Progression in 1 Year

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

Graph 2

Vectra Predicts Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with RA

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN), a global leader in precision medicine, announced that its Myriad Autoimmune business unit will present new data on the Vectra test at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting being held Nov. 8-13, 2019 in Atlanta, GA. The key findings are that the Vectra test predicts the risk of radiographic progression (RP) within one year, and the Vectra score, in combination with other clinical measures, predicts the risk of a cardiovascular (CV) event in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

A hallmark feature ofrheumatoid arthritisisinflammation, which increases the risk of joint damage, cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities, said Elena Hitraya, M.D., Ph.D., rheumatologist and chief medical officer at Myriad Autoimmune. The data being presented by our academic collaborators at ACR show that the Vectra test accurately measures inflammation and can help predict patients risk of adverse health outcomes, enabling clinicians to tailor precision treatment plans to achieve better outcomes.

Vectra Posters

Title:Predicting Risk of Radiographic Progression for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.Presenter:Jeff Curtis, M.D., M.S., MPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham.Date:Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. 9:00-11:00 a.m.Location:Poster 466.

This study evaluated the ability of the Vectra test to predict patients individual percentage risk of RP within one year. The analysis included combined data from 973 patients in four cohorts. The results demonstrate that the adjusted Vectra score was a superior predictor of RP within one year compared to DAS28-CRP, CRP, CDAI and swollen joint count. Additionally, the risk of permanent joint damage increased continuously with the adjusted Vectra score, meaning patients with a low adjusted Vectra score had a one to three percent risk of RP in one year, while patients with a moderate-to-high score had between seven and 47 percent risk (Graph 1). Based on these new data, the company is working to enhance the Vectra test report to provide patients with their individual risk of radiographic progression in one year.

To view Graph 1: Vectra Predicts Risk of Radiographic Progression in 1 Year,please visit the following link:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/514919cd-81ca-4084-81df-682fedc1784b

Too often people with RA are over- or under-treated because it is difficult for clinicians to accurately measure inflammation and determine the long-term prognosis of RA patients. As a result, some people are at increased risk of rapid radiographic progression, said Jeff Curtis, M.D., M.S., MPH, lead investigator, rheumatologist and Professor of medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It is critical that clinicians have reliable information when making treatment decisions. Our study demonstrated that the Vectra score was the strongest predictor of radiographic progression, which may help inform treatment plans and prevent future joint damage.

Title:Derivation and Validation of a Biomarker-Based Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis.Presenter:Jeff Curtis, M.D., M.S., MPH; University of Alabama at Birmingham.Date:Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. 9:00-11:00 a.m.Location:Poster 2350.

This study evaluated 30,751 Medicare patients with RA to develop and validate the Vectra CVD score, which predicts risk for a first cardiovascular (CV) event by combining data from Vectra and clinical measures. The primary CV outcome was a composite of three types of CV events heart attack, stroke, and CV death occurring within 3 years from testing. When the performance of the Vectra CVD score was compared to four other CV prediction models, the Vectra CVD score was a significant predictor of CV risk and was superior to all four other models. Importantly, when risk scores were converted to 3-year percentage risk for having a CV event, approximately 80 percent of patients were found to have a moderate or high risk of a CV event over 3 years, based on risk categories analogous to those of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2018 guidelines (Graph 2).

To view Graph 2: Vectra Predicts Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with RA, please visit the following link:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c902b4ec-a3c8-439f-9557-0a9b05631a1f

People with rheumatoid arthritis have almost double the risk of heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis. Traditional CV risk factors alone do not fully explain the increased rates of CV events in RA, and inflammation is a missing component that is measured by the Vectra test, said Dr. Curtis. In this study, the Vectra CVD score effectively predicted CV risk in people with RA. We believe the Vectra CVD score may assist clinicians to more quickly identify patients at high risk for CV events and target interventions that can be potentially life-saving.

The company plans to publish these new data in peer reviewed medical journal and make the Vectra CVD score available to clinicians in fiscal year 2020. Please visit Myriad Autoimmune at booth #1419 to learn more about Vectra. Follow Myriad on Twitter via @myriadgenetics and follow meeting news by using the hashtag #ACR19.

About VectraVectra is a multi-biomarker molecular blood test that provides an objective and personalized measure of inflammatory disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Vectra provides unsurpassed ability to predict radiographic progression and can help guide medical management decisions with the goal of improving patient outcomes. Vectra testing is performed at a state-of-the-art CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) facility. Test results are reported to the physician five to seven days from shipping of the specimen. Physicians can receive test results by fax or the private web portal, VectraView. For more information on Vectra, please visit: http://www.vectrascore.com.

About Myriad GeneticsMyriad Genetics Inc. is a leading precision medicine company dedicated to being a trusted advisor transforming patient lives worldwide with pioneering molecular diagnostics. Myriad discovers and commercializes molecular diagnostic tests that: determine the risk of developing disease, accurately diagnose disease, assess the risk of disease progression, and guide treatment decisions across six major medical specialties where molecular diagnostics can significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. Myriad is focused on five critical success factors: building upon a solid hereditary cancer foundation, growing new product volume, expanding reimbursement coverage for new products, increasing RNA kit revenue internationally and improving profitability with Elevate 2020. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: http://www.myriad.com.

Myriad, the Myriad logo, BART, BRACAnalysis, Colaris, Colaris AP, myPath, myRisk, Myriad myRisk, myRisk Hereditary Cancer, myChoice, myPlan, BRACAnalysis CDx, Tumor BRACAnalysis CDx, myChoice HRD, EndoPredict, Vectra, GeneSight, riskScore, Prolaris, Foresight and Prequel are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. or its wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States and foreign countries. MYGN-F, MYGN-G.

Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the Company presenting new data on the Vectra test at the 2019 ACR Annual Meeting; the Vectra test enabling clinicians to tailor precision treatment plans to achieve better outcomes; the Vectra score helping inform treatment plans and prevent future joint damage; the Vectra CVD score assisting clinicians to more quickly identify patients at high risk for CV events and target interventions that can be potentially life-saving; publishing these new data in peer reviewed medical journal; making the Vectra CVD score available to clinicians in fiscal year 2020; and the Company's strategic directives under the caption "About Myriad Genetics." These "forward-looking statements" are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that sales and profit margins of our molecular diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical and clinical services may decline; risks related to our ability to transition from our existing product portfolio to our new tests, including unexpected costs and delays; risks related to decisions or changes in governmental or private insurers reimbursement levels for our tests or our ability to obtain reimbursement for our new tests at comparable levels to our existing tests; risks related to increased competition and the development of new competing tests and services; the risk that we may be unable to develop or achieve commercial success for additional molecular diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical and clinical services in a timely manner, or at all; the risk that we may not successfully develop new markets for our molecular diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical and clinical services, including our ability to successfully generate revenue outside the United States; the risk that licenses to the technology underlying our molecular diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical and clinical services and any future tests and services are terminated or cannot be maintained on satisfactory terms; risks related to delays or other problems with operating our laboratory testing facilities and our healthcare clinic; risks related to public concern over genetic testing in general or our tests in particular; risks related to regulatory requirements or enforcement in the United States and foreign countries and changes in the structure of the healthcare system or healthcare payment systems; risks related to our ability to obtain new corporate collaborations or licenses and acquire new technologies or businesses on satisfactory terms, if at all; risks related to our ability to successfully integrate and derive benefits from any technologies or businesses that we license or acquire; risks related to our projections about our business, results of operations and financial condition; risks related to the potential market opportunity for our products and services; the risk that we or our licensors may be unable to protect or that third parties will infringe the proprietary technologies underlying our tests; the risk of patent-infringement claims or challenges to the validity of our patents or other intellectual property; risks related to changes in intellectual property laws covering our molecular diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical and clinical services and patents or enforcement in the United States and foreign countries, such as the Supreme Court decision in the lawsuit brought against us by the Association for Molecular Pathology et al; risks of new, changing and competitive technologies and regulations in the United States and internationally; the risk that we may be unable to comply with financial operating covenants under our credit or lending agreements; the risk that we will be unable to pay, when due, amounts due under our credit or lending agreements; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Myriad undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

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New Studies Demonstrate the Predictive Value of the Vectra Test in People Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis - GlobeNewswire

The 3rd annual Bakersfield Walk to Cure Arthritis event will take place Nov. 16 at The Park at River Walk. The event is put on to help find a cure for arthritis and to help people with arthritis live a full life, according to a press release.

"Arthritis is more than just a few minor aches and pains. It's a debilitating disease that robs people of their dreams," saidMichal W. Wiesbrock, executive director for Arthritis Foundation Central Coast, in a statement. "When you support Walk to Cure Arthritis, you become a Champion of Yes, helping us build a lifetime of better, while accelerating the search for a cure."

The walk features two local honorees on the front lines in the battle against arthritis. This year the 2019 Medical Honoree is Dr. Andrew A. Kao, and the 2019 Youth Honoree is Leila Shackleford, according to the release.

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Bakersfield Walk to Cure Arthritis to take place in November - The Bakersfield Californian

Video telemedicine may be anoption for care inrheumatoid arthritis (RA) for patients who have high disease activity andpositive perceptions of telemedicine, and for physicians who frequently utilizetelemedicine technologies, according to research published inArthritis Care and Research.

Using data from patients within the Alaska Tribal Health System, researchers sought to determine the baseline factors associated with the use of telemedicine for RA. Adults 18 and older with an RA diagnosis who were seen at the Alaska Native Medical Center between August 2016 and March 2018 were invited to participate in the study.

Throughout the baseline enrollment period,rheumatology-specific telemedicine was available in the form of synchronousvideo teleconference. Physicians were briefly and generally trained on the useof the telemedicine equipment. Telemedicine was made available to patients in 2different scenarios: Those residing in rural areas could use the videoteleconference to reduce travel burden, or care was provided at the AlaskaNative Medical Center in Anchorage from a rheumatologist who wasvideo-conferenced in from out of state.

In total, 122 patients participated in the study. In boththe telemedicine and in-person groups, patient demographics were similar withrespect to age, sex, and disease duration (mean 10 years). A majority ofparticipants across both groups had positive autoantibodies (>85% positivefor rheumatoid factor and anticyclic citrullinated peptide), and almost allpatients had been prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs within thelast year.

Both groups had a mean number of rheumatology visits withinthe past year higher than 2; however, the telemedicine group had more visitsoverall (mean 2.95 vs 2.39;P=.011).The telemedicine group also had higher survey scores, which indicated morepositive perceptions of telemedicine and a higher mean rheumatologisttelemedicine rate, indicating that they were seeing a rheumatologist whoperformed telemedicine visits more frequently.

Investigators conducted a multivariate analysis for age,sex, number of rheumatologist visits in the past year, Routine Assessment ofPatient Index Data 3score, telemedicine survey score, ever seen bytelemedicine by any provider, and mean rheumatologist telemedicine rate. Thestrongest association with patient use of telemedicine was the meanrheumatologist telemedicine rate (odds ratio [OR] 4.14; 95% CI, 2.35-8.00).Additional strong associations were observed between the telemedicineperception survey score and use of telemedicine (OR 2.76; 95% CI, 1.32-6.18),the number of rheumatologist visits in the past year, and Routine Assessment ofPatient Index Data 3 score.

In addition, patient perceptions of telemedicine were an important factor associated with the choice to use telemedicine for RA follow up vs in-person care only. Survey results indicated that patients who had ever been seen by telemedicine responded more favorably than those who had not. Overall, patients still preferred to be seen by a specialist in person, regardless of group (61% of the telemedicine group and 74% of the in-person-only group), but those in the telemedicine group were more likely to feel that care provided via video was as good as care provided in person.

Limitations to the study included the observational natureof the research, possible unmeasured staff or provider biases that contributedto patient choice, and the unique setting that may prevent a generalization ofresults to other populations.

Future studies will investigate disease activity over time and quality of care for RA in the setting of telemedicine compared [with] usual care and will help inform practice further, the researchers concluded.

Reference

Ferruci ED, Holck P, Day GM, Choromanski TL, Freeman SL.Factors associated with use of telemedicine for follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis[published online August 17, 2019].Arthritis Care Res.doi: 10.1002/acr.24049

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Care and the Option of Telemedicine - Rheumatology Advisor

LANSING Dr. Karen Kent VanGorder sees a lot of patients who aren't compelled to manage their health because they don't have troubling symptoms.

"The mostcommon thing I hear as a doctor is someone looks at me and shrugs and says, 'I feel good," VanGorder, who servesas Sparrow Health System's chief medical officer, said.

That can be an issue with chronic conditions like high cholesterol that often don't have symptoms until they lead to major issues like stroke or heart attack, she said.

VanGorder saidshe tries to help patients understand "the natural history of a chronic condition absolutely applies to them" and they need to think about how they'll feel in 10, 15 or even 20 years.

"Lucky is not a plan," she said.

VanGorder works to motivate patients to eliminate risk from their life, comparing it to teaching a kid to look both ways before crossing the street and she said the good news isthat it can besimple.

It can be as easy as walking every day, she said, stressing that increasing activity is free and doesn't require an appointment or insurance.

"The more we move in mid-Michigan, the healthier we're going to be," she said.

And people's health does impact the community in various ways, VanGorder said.

When people have chronic conditions, it affects family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and more, she said.

And according to a state survey that tracks the prevalence of medical conditions, among other topics, some of those conditions affect around a third of the adults in the Lansing area.

People with high cholesterol and high blood pressureare much more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or another vascular issue because of damage to blood vessels.

Prevalence: According to the Centers for Disease Control, 68 million American adults a little less than 33% have high cholesterol and about 32% have high blood pressure.

Show caption Hide caption Michael Ranville, 74, of Charlotte, works out Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at ALIVE! in Charlotte. He suffered a massive heart attack in 1984, and...Michael Ranville, 74, of Charlotte, works out Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at ALIVE! in Charlotte. He suffered a massive heart attack in 1984, and had a heart transplant in 2015. Ranville works out for 35-40 minutes three days a week.MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Journal

Issues with both cholesterol and blood pressure are more common in Michigan. According to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 36.5% of Michiganders have high cholesterol and 33.9% have been diagnosed with hypertension.

High cholesterol ratesUSA Today Network

Regionally, it's about as prevalent 36.7% of people in the Lansing area and nearby counties said they have had their cholesterol checked within the last five years and had a health professional tell them they have high cholesterol. And 35.1% of respondents in the Lansing area said a health professional has told them they have high blood pressure.

It's more prevalent in Barry and Eaton Counties, where 41.4% of respondents self-identified as having high cholesterol and43.4% said they've been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Issues with cholesterol and blood pressure are least prevalent in Ingham County, where 34.6% of people said they've been diagnosed with high cholesterol and30.2% of respondents indicated a health professional has told them they have high blood pressure.

Cost: According to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adults with high blood pressure spend nearly $2,000 more each year on health care.

According to that same study, health care for adults with high blood pressure costs an extra $131 billion annually than it does for those without hypertension.

Another report commissioned by the American Heart Association found that in 2010, heart disease cost the country $273 billion in direct medical costs and $172 billion in lost productivity.

High blood pressure ratesUSA Today Network

Treatment and Prevention: Lifestyle plays a major factor in people's cholesterol and blood pressure levels. To help avoid or manage either condition, people can:

People with high blood pressure also can benefit from reducing stress, limiting how much alcohol they drink and eating food that's rich in potassium, including fruits like bananas and oranges, cooked vegetables like broccoli and spinach and some fish such as tuna and trout.

When lifestyle changes aren't enough, medication can help. Drugs known as statins are the primary medication used to treat high cholesterol.

There are many more types of drugs that can treat high blood pressure, from diuretics that get rid of excess sodium to beta-blockers that reduce heart rate to vasodilators that relax the walls of blood vessels.

Impact on everyday life: Hear from Dr. Awais Kang, a cardiologist with McLaren Greater Lansing, about helping patients with high cholesterol and high blood pressure avoid more serious heart problems and regain heart function.

Heather Tompkins-Herber talks about managing her arthritis Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.Robert Killips | Lansing State Journal

Prevalence: About 23% of Americans have arthritis, according to the CDC.

The inflammatory disorder is more common in Michigan, where 30.8% of respondents to a statewide survey say a health professional has diagnosed them with arthritis.

And it's about as common in the Lansing region, with 29.5% of respondents saying they've been diagnosed.

It's more common in Barry, Eaton, Clinton, Ionia and Montcalm counties, where 33.5% of people said they have arthritis.

Arthritis ratesUSA Today Network

And it's less common in Ingham County, where 26.3% of respondents said a health professional has diagnosed them with arthritis.

Cost: According to a study published in 2017, adults with arthritis spent an extra $2,117 in medical costs and missed out on $4,040 in potential wages each, on average, in 2013.

Nearly half of all medical costs went to outpatient care, which can include diagnosis, consultation, treatment and rehabilitation.

Treatment: There are various ways to treat the symptoms of arthritis.

Some might opt for medication. Most drugs used to treat arthritis help relieve pain and inflammation.

Others might choose to take supplements and herbs to treat pain, stiffness and inflammation or opt for other treatments like massage or electrical stimulation as an alternative to drugs.

Joint surgery and otherprocedures arealso an option, but areusually recommended only after trying other treatment methods.

Prevention: According to the Arthritis Foundation, there's no sure way to prevent the condition.

But there are ways to reduce risk factors and delay the potential onset of any of the various 100 forms of arthritis, including:

Impact on everyday life: Learn how Heather Tompkins-Herber, a Charlotte residentdiagnosed with arthritis in her early thirties, manages nearly constant pain in her neck and spine.

Prevalence: According to the CDC, 7.7% of Americans have "current asthma." That means they've been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their life and have been told they still have the condition.

Asthma is more common in Michigan, with 10.7% of survey respondents saying they still struggle with the condition.

Eric Ware, of Lansing, pictured with medicines he must carry in case of an asthma attack. He has battled asthma since he was 5.Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal

Locally, it's less common in Clinton, Ionia and Montcalm counties, where 8.1% of respondents say they still have asthma.

It's more common in Ingham County, where 12.1% of people say they have current asthma.

Cost: A CDC study published last year found the total annual cost of asthma including medical care, absenteeism and mortality was $81.9 billion.

That breaks down to $3,266 per person, on average:

The study found adults with asthma missed a combined 8.7 million work days and lost an average of $214 in potential earnings.

Treatment: There are a variety of medicines that can help people control their asthma.

The American Lung Association breaks them into five categories:

Asthma ratesUSA Today Network

Prevention: According to the Mayo Clinic, it isn't clear why some people get asthma and others don't, but there are risk factors that might increase the chance of getting asthma.

Some of those you can't necessarily control, such as whether a parent or sibling has asthma or whether you have an allergic condition like eczema.

Others, though, are based on behavior or environment:

The U.S. has third-highest rate of child asthma cases linked to traffic-related air pollution

A shocking 4 million cases of children developing asthma per year could stem from traffic-related air pollution.

Buzz60

Impact on everyday life: Eric Ware was diagnosed with asthma at 5. Learn about how he's managed it, including just accepting it as a lung disease.

Prevalence:According to the CDC, 9.3% of American adults have diabetes.

State figures show it's more common in Michigan, with 11% of survey respondents saying they've been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

It's slightly less common in the region, with 10.3% of people surveyed saying they have diabetes.

That's swayed by Ingham County, where it's much less prevalent 7.9% of people said they've been diagnosed with diabetes.

It's more common in Barry and Eaton counties, where 13.4% say they've been diagnosed, and Clinton, Ionia and Montcalm counties, where 12.2% say they have either of the two main types of diabetes.

Cost:According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have medical expenses about 2.3 times higher than those without diabetes.

ADA organization estimates diagnosed diabetes costs around$9.7 billioneach year in Michigan alone, based on data from 2017:

Treatment: People with any type of diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels multiple times a day. Treatment, though, can vary from person to person.

Diabetes ratesUSA Today Network

Some people can manage their diabetes with healthy eating and exercise. Others need to take medication to lower their blood sugar or inject prescription insulin to help their body regulate blood sugar levels by either using or storing glucose.

Prevention: Different kind of diabetes have different causes, including the most common Type 1 and Type 2.

The American Diabetes Association identifies two factors that are key in causing both types: Inheriting a predisposition to the disease and environmental triggers.

For example, research has shown people who live in places with cold climates develop Type 1 diabetes more often, but in most cases, people also need to inherit risk factors from both parents.

Lifestyle is more influential in developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown those at risk of developing Type 2 can delay or prevent it with exercise and weight loss.

ADA recommends learning your risk and they have a quick online test anyone can take atdiabetes.org/risk-test. People also can ask their doctor about the A1C test, a blood test that can help identify prediabetes or diagnose either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Impact on everyday life: Learn how Hillary Coleman, a 28-year-old Lansing resident, manages herType I diabetes.

Contact reporter Megan Banta at (517) 377-1261 or mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.

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Which chronic health issues plague Greater Lansing? Read the list, learn how to beat them - Lansing State Journal

A large attendance from across the midlands turned out last Wednesday, November 6, for an information evening in Athlone about ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The inflammatory arthritis affects 4,000-6,000 people in Ireland and is most frequently diagnosed in young men.

The talk by Dr Killian ORourke, consultant rheumatologist at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, was part of an awareness campaign about the condition organised by Arthritis Ireland.

Dr ORourke outlined that some of the early signs and symptoms of the condition include pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks; early morning stiffness; fatigue and poor form; pain and tenderness in the ribs, shoulder blades, hips, thighs and heels; weight loss; fever; mild to moderate anaemia; inflammation of the bowel; and iritis or uveitis.

As ankylosing spondylitis advances, it can affect a persons ability to work. It is estimated that a third of people with AS may be unable to work at all. Around one in six may need to make changes to their working life in order to continue working.

While its not yet known what causes ankylosing spondylitis, there can be a genetic element. However, the condition isnt passed directly from a parent to their children.

Head of communications and advocacy at Arthritis Ireland, Brian Lynch, said: When people are informed about their condition, they are better able to manage the day-to-challenge of living with it. Since ankylosing spondylitis affects people when they are in the prime of their lives, it can be hugely disruptive in terms of their education, careers, relationships, past times.

Our work as a patient organisation is about educating people so that they are aware of symptoms and can take early action. Equally, it is about helping people regain control of their lives through education and support, Lynch said.

Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis is supported by Novartis.

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Offaly doctor speaks at national arthritis event - Photo 1 of 2 - Offaly Express

Danielle C Fair,1 Martha Rodriguez,2 Andrea M Knight,3 Tamar B Rubinstein4

1Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical College of Wisconsin: Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; 2Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 3Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; 4Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Childrens Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY, USA

Correspondence: Danielle C FairMCW Pediatric Rheumatology, Childrens Corporate Center, 999 N 92 nd St., Suite C465, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USATel +1 414-266-2036Fax +1 414-266-6695Email dfair@mcw.edu

Abstract: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in children with rheumatologic diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, prevalence rates and the relationship with disease outcomes, including quality of life are conflicting in the early literature. To review the current literature, determine gaps in our knowledge, and identify areas in need of further investigation, we conducted a systematic review of studies examining depression and anxiety symptoms among children with JIA and the impact these symptoms may have on disease outcomes and quality of life. Six electronic databases were searched up until January 2019. Of 799 potential articles, 60 articles were included with the main focus on 28 articles from 2009 to 2019, to concentrate on the most current evidence. We found that JIA patients experience symptoms of depression and anxiety similar to other childhood chronic diseases and at higher rates than in healthy children. Patients who experience these symptoms have worse quality of life, with some evidence pointing to depression and anxiety symptoms having a greater impact on quality of life than other disease features, such as active joint count. Family members of JIA patients experience high rates of anxiety and depression symptoms which may impact their childs mental health and pain symptoms related to JIA. Conflicting reports of associations between depression/anxiety symptoms and disease features/disease outcomes and a paucity of longitudinal studies investigating the impact of treatment on mental health symptoms indicate areas in need of further research to effectively identify patients at greatest risk of depression and anxiety and to better understand how to treat and prevent these symptoms in youth with JIA. Family mental health should also be considered in investigations concerning mental health and disease outcomes of children with JIA.

Keywords: pediatric rheumatology, mental health, mood disorder, arthritis, autoimmune disease

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Depression And Anxiety In Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: | OARRR - Dove Medical Press

November 07, 2019 -Telehealth services are proving equal to in-person care in studies all across the country, but only if all the stars are aligned.

The latest example comes from Alaska, where a program launched for people living with rheumatoid arthritis found that virtual visits compared just as favorably to in-person care, as long as both provider and patient were familiar with telehealth.

The telehealth service also proved popular with patients who deal with frequent flare-ups, as it offered them a more convenient means of getting in front of a care provider.

When offered as an option for rheumatology care, video telemedicine was more likely to be used by RA patients with higher disease activity, more positive perceptions of telemedicine, and whose physicians used telemedicine more often, the researchers, led by Elizabeth D. Ferucci, of Community Health Services and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, wrote in the August edition of Arthritis Care & Research.

The intimation is that telehealth has to be familiar in order to be embraced. And that means more people providers and patients have to be introduced to telehealth in order to become familiar with its benefits.

For their study, Ferucci and her colleagues gathered data from 122 Alaskans being treated for RA in the Alaska Tribal Health System between August of 2016 and March of 2018. The participants were given a choice of in-person care at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage (with an out-of-state rheumatologist participating via video) or virtual visits.

According to the researchers, those using virtual visits met more often with their care providers. In addition, they had a more positive perception of telehealth, and they were seeing a rheumatologist who used telemedicine more frequently.

Also, both groups indicated they preferred to see a specialist in person for follow-up care 61 percent of those who used telehealth and 74 percent of those who visited the hospital. But those within the telehealth group also said their virtual care experience was just as good as in-person care.

The study points out that telehealth is embraced by those who have already tried it, but isnt high on the to-do list for those who havent used it yet. That falls in line with the many surveys that find telehealth to be popular in concept but not in use.

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In Alaska, Telehealth is Popular With Those Who Have Already Used It - mHealthIntelligence.com

The market research study titled Global Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments Market Growth (Status and Outlook) 2019-2024specialized in current industry updates covers exclusive and analytical data through the span of seven years between 2019-2024. The research report has examined global market trends with recently obtainable data relevant to the amount of both market businesses and their market share. The report studies how the challenges, risks, current approaches, and social problems could limit the market. It serves an excellent guide with the help of bar-graphs, pie charts, product figures, tables. It will offer an exact outlook of the industry for interested users.

Going further, the report presents a deep investigation of key Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments market players, market drivers and restraints procedures for business, and variables driving the development as well as various stakeholders like investors, suppliers, traders, CEOs, and others. It gives special importance to the key strategy, methodologies, and the approaches of the top vendors in order to help businesses explore the new market opportunity. The market is further divided with respect to product type and applications/end industries to analyze the top players in the global market.

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Market Segments Coverage:

Geographically, this report is divided into many key regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share in these regions, from 2019 to 2024 (forecast), covering:Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa ( Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries).

This portion appraises the market based on top vendors, their organization detailing, volume, areas, supply-demand scheme, and development trends. Top players are: AbbVie, Amgen, Bayer, Biogen Idec, Roche, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer.

Split by type, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate in each application can be divided into Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments, Lupus Treatments.

Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments in each application, can be divided into Hospitals and Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Homecare Settings.

Important Points Featured In This Report Are:

Manufacturing Analysis Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments market synopsis is given concerning the top countries, types, and applications. In addition, the section also covers price analysis of varied market vital players.

Revenue and Sales Evaluation Both, earnings and sales are studied for different elements of this market. Here, price plays an important role in the sales creation that can be analyzed for several regions.

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Competition In this section, many global industry-leading players have been studied based on their company profile, product portfolio, capacity, price, price, and earnings.

In conclusion, the report gives the analysis of the parent market supported key players, present, past and artistic movement information which will guide industry competitors. Additionally, a point-to-point notion of some important criterions like item value supply & distribution channels, profit and loss figures, production capability, and others are also given in this report. It will act as a profitable platform for users who aims to grasp each and every single opportunity of the Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments.

Customization of the Report:This report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team (sales@fiormarkets.com), who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments Market 2019 Global Industry Size, Share, Comprehensive Study, Trends, Demand Status, Forecast to 2024 -...

Psoriatic arthritis causes joint pain and inflammation, usually in people who already have psoriasis. It is impossible to predict who will get psoriatic arthritis, however, and there is no surefire strategy for preventing it.

About 30% of people with psoriasis eventually develop psoriatic arthritis.

Preventive strategies for psoriasis focus on identifying triggers and treating symptoms early. Doing so may prevent psoriasis from transitioning to psoriatic arthritis.

In this article, learn about treatment and prevention strategies for psoriatic arthritis, as well as the risk factors for developing it.

Doctors do not know how to prevent psoriatic arthritis.

Currently, no treatment can guarantee that a person with psoriasis will not develop this form of arthritis.

Also, because a small number of people develop psoriatic arthritis without skin symptoms of psoriasis, it can be difficult to identify everyone who is at risk.

A 2019 medical review article highlights the many challenges that doctors face in trying to prevent psoriatic arthritis. Doctors do not fully understand how or why the disease progresses or who is at risk.

More research could, one day, answer these questions. For now, controlling the symptoms of psoriasis before it progresses into arthritis may help reduce the severity of both diseases.

People with psoriatic arthritis typically develop symptoms about 10 years after they get psoriasis.

Anyone with concerns about the progression of the disease should speak with a doctor about the outlook and managing the symptoms.

No specific treatment can prevent psoriatic arthritis, but the right treatment may lessen the severity of the disease.

Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune diseases, which means that they occur when the body attacks healthy tissue.

People with psoriatic arthritis develop active inflammation in the joints, as well as markers of inflammation in the blood.

Tests for inflammation may help assess whether a person is at risk of psoriatic arthritis, and working to prevent inflammation may help reduce symptoms of the disease.

For people who develop psoriatic arthritis, the right treatment can minimize disease activity. It may also reduce markers of the disease enough to achieve remission.

A 2010 study explored the outcomes of treatment with antitumor necrosis factor alpha which involves using biologic medication to reduce inflammation in people with psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers found that, after 1 year of treatment, psoriatic arthritis was in remission in 58% of the people with the disease, compared with 44% of the people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Most people experience psoriatic arthritis as a series of symptom flares. The characteristics of these flares vary from person to person, but many notice a specific pattern.

For example, some people find that psoriasis skin symptoms get worse, or that they feel more fatigued before their joints start to ache.

Tracking symptoms can help a person and their doctor identify the pattern of flares. It may help to take note of meals and new foods, weather changes, stress levels, exercise, and other lifestyle and environmental factors, both between and during flares.

Some common flare triggers include:

Some people find that the following strategies help reduce the severity and frequency of flares:

Some people choose to avoid certain triggering foods or to follow an anti-inflammatory diet.

The Arthritis Foundation recommend eating foods that can reduce inflammation, including:

Reducing salt and alcohol intake may also help curb inflammation. Learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet in this article.

While lifestyle changes can make a big difference, they are not always enough to treat symptoms or prevent flares.

A doctor can offer a wide range of treatments to help with pain and stiffness. Biologic medications, for example, are highly effective for many people.

A doctor may also recommend:

If a person thinks that they may have early symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, they should speak to a doctor.

Also, consult a doctor about:

Psoriatic arthritis damages the joints, intensifying the severity of subsequent flares. Once it happens, arthritis-related joint damage cannot be reversed.

Medication may not cure psoriatic arthritis, but it can prevent joint damage. This means that early, aggressive treatment may offer lasting benefits.

People who develop joint pain or stiffness should see a doctor, even if they do not think that they have psoriasis.

During a person's first few flares, frequent and regular communication with a doctor can help them better understand the disease and identify effective treatments.

Do not stop taking psoriatic arthritis medication without talking to a doctor. When symptoms clear up, it is a sign that the treatment is working, not that it is time to stop the treatment. Some people find that their flares get much worse when they stop using their medication.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are complex diseases. They likely develop due to a combination of genetics, inflammation, factors such as skin and joint injuries, and specific psoriasis triggers.

There is no psoriatic arthritis prevention strategy, but getting prompt and effective treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.

A rheumatologist can identify risk factors for psoriatic arthritis and help minimize the chances of developing the disease.

However, there is no way to predict who will get psoriatic arthritis and no surefire way to prevent this inflammatory joint disease.

Doctors, loved ones, and support groups can help a person manage stress and their psoriatic arthritis symptoms.

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Psoriatic arthritis prevention: Tips and management - Medical News Today

AbbVie blockbuster-to-be Rinvoq only just hit the scene in rheumatoid arthritis, but its already on its way to a second indication.

Thursday, the Illinois drugmaker said its newcomer had hit its primary endpoint in a phase 3 psoriatic arthritis (PsA) trial, topping placebo at reducing symptoms. At Week 12, 57% of patients taking a 15 mg dose and 64% of patients on a 30 mg dose hit ACR20, a benchmark on a commonly used scale from the American College of Rheumatology to measure joint swelling and more. Just 24% of placebo patients reached the same mark.

Full results from the trial, dubbed Select-PsA2, will roll out at a future medical meeting and in a peer-reviewed publication, AbbVie said. Theyll also support regulatory submissions for Rinvoq in PsA, Michael Severino, M.D., company vice chairman and president, said in a statement.

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RELATED:AbbVie scores blockbuster approval for RA med Rinvoq, its crucial Humira follow-up

"Too many people living with psoriatic arthritis still fail to achieve their treatment goals, underscoring a clear medical need for additional therapeutic options," he added.

Those therapeutic options have multiplied recently with the advent of the IL-17A class, beginning with a PsA nod for Novartis Cosentyx in early 2016. Eli Lillys Taltz followed up with its own late the following year, and the two have been battling it outin the market ever since.

AbbVie isnt afraid of a little competition in the anti-inflammatory market, though. After all, its positioning Rinvoq as a follow-up to Humira, the worlds best-selling drug. Analysts expect the med to hit $2.2 billion in annual sales per year by 2023, helping AbbVie fill the gap left by Humira biosimilars.

RELATED:AbbVie's Rinvoq label portends safety warnings for future JAKsincluding Gilead's

Theres just one potential snag: Rinvoq is a member of the JAK inhibitor class, which has recently been plagued by safety issues.

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AbbVie eyes 2nd Rinvoq nod as it hits its marks in psoriatic arthritis - FiercePharma

Conquering Arthritis Meet the University of Arizona Arthritis Center Researchers will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6-7:15 p.m., at the Health Sciences Innovation Building on the UA Health Science campus, 1670 E. Drachman St., Tucson.

This event features a look into the future of care, prevention, and ultimately a cure, for this debilitating disease. A panel discussion with UArizona Arthritis Center Director C. Kent Kwoh, MD, pain management specialist Mohab Ibrahim, PhD, MD, and mind-body medicine pioneer Esther Sternberg, MD, will follow the researcher open house and poster displays.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate nearly 55 million Americans have some form of arthritis, including almost half of those over age 65. Arthritis affects more women than men and can affect children as young as 6 months old. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States.

The UArizona Arthritis Center is Arizonas only multi-disciplinary center of excellence dedicated to research and education into the causes, treatments and eventually a cure for arthritis. The center conducts basic, translational and epidemiological research to understand why patients get arthritis, the risk factors for who gets arthritis and analyzes the outcomes to understand how arthritis impacts the patients quality of life.

Featured UArizona Arthritis Center researchers who will present at the event include:

Research topics will include:

Seating for the lecture is limited and prior registration is requested. For more information or to register, visit the UArizona Arthritis Center website, arthritis.arizona.edu, or call 520-626-5040 or email [emailprotected]

Free parking is available after 5 p.m. in the Lot Specific 2012 parking lot next to the Health Sciences Innovation Building and the Lot Specific 2147 parking lot across the street on Cherry Avenue between Helen and Mabel Streets, as well as in all Lot Specific parking lots on the UArizona Health Sciences campus and the Health Sciences Garage (formerly the Banner University Medical Center Tucson Visitor/Patient Parking Garage) at 1501 N. Campbell Ave. For disabled parking, or drop off location next to the Health Sciences Innovation Building, please email [emailprotected], or call 520-626-5040.

If you have questions concerning access, wish to request a Sign Language interpreter or disability-related accommodations, contact Tracy Shake, 520-626-5040, email: [emailprotected]

The lecture is part of the Living Healthy with Arthritis series of free monthly talks presented by the UArizona Arthritis Center at the UArizona College of Medicine Tucson and supported through the Susan and Saul Tobin Endowment for Research and Education in Rheumatology.

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Meet University of Arizona Arthritis Center researchers - Jewish Post

INTRODUCTION:

Pain control is one of the most important aspects ofrheumatoid arthritis(RA) management from the patients perspective. Newer generations of RA treatment including tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) have the potential to alleviate pain and thus reduce opioid utilization. However, patterns of opioid utilization before and after TNFi initiation have not been well characterized. This study aims to examine multiple measures of change in opioid utilization after the initiation of TNFi.

Patients aged 18years with RA and 24months continuous enrollment between January 2007 and December 2015 who newly initiated a TNFi in IQVIA Health Plan Claims Data were included in our study. Opioid utilization at baseline and during follow-up were identified and compared.

Of 2330 patients with RAthat were included in the study, 38.8% of patients used opioids in both baseline and follow-up periods. From pre-index to post-index, the proportion of patients receiving any opioid decreased from 54.0 to 51.0%. In addition, the proportion of those who received 50mg median daily MED decreased from 12.6 to 10.6% during pre-post periods.

This real-world study of commercially insured patients with RA suggests that opioid use among thesepatients is prevalent. There was a small decrease in overall opioid utilization after TNFi initiation.

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Changes in Opioid Utilization Following Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Initiation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis - DocWire News

ATLANTA - If you have arthritis, you know all about the pain, swelling, and stiffness that the disease brings on.

"We're seeing arthritis at an earlier age, not only in the knees, but shoulders, really everywhere," said Dr. Mathew Pombo of Emory Orthopedics & Spine Center. "It's becoming an epidemic of sorts."

But did you know certain habits can make your symptoms worse? Staying still is the first mistake that can intensify your pain. Regular physical activity makes your joints more flexible, but too much exercise can also be a bad thing.

"We also have a lot of younger people participating in sports, and we know that prior injury leads to post-traumatic arthritis," Pombo continued.

Try swimming, biking or walking for about 30 minutes a day. Ignoring your dental health may also lead to worse problems. One study found the bacterium that causes periodontal disease increases the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

The wrong foods can also cause inflammation in the body and trigger symptoms. Some ingredients to avoid: sugar, saturated fats, refined carbs, omega-six fatty acids, MSG, gluten, aspartame, and alcohol.

Lastly, stress could make your symptoms worse. A trauma or stressful situation can actually trigger the development of certain types of arthritis. Yoga, meditation, and getting enough sleep can help you manage your stress levels.

Smoking is another bad move. Recent research shows both current and past smokers with arthritis had worse symptoms and more joint damage than those who never smoked.

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Health Beat: 5 things that make arthritis more painful - WFMZ Allentown

Scientists have discovered an unusual link between the severity of arthritis-related pain and weather.

For years, health experts have suspected that weather may play a key role in the severity of arthritic symptoms.

The BBCsays that hearing someone say their knee is playing up because of the weather is pretty common - usually because of the cold, adding thatsome say they can even predict the weather based on how their joints feel. However, there has been no scientific consensus on the subject.

But this week, the University of Manchester published a study of around 2,500 people suffering from arthritis in all 124 postcode areas of the UK, which asked them to record their levels of distress on a daily basis using their smartphone, The Telegraph says.

To their surprise, the researchers found that sufferers were 20% more likely to be in pain on days that were humid and windy with low atmospheric pressure than they were on days with average weather.

For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the weeks news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for 6

The BBC reports that if someoneschances of a painful day with average weather were five in 100, they would increase to six in 100 on a damp and windy day.

However, the researchers were also keen to stress that they found no link between temperature and pain, or rain and pain, but that a mixture of factors such as wind, humidity and low atmospheric pressure did have an effect.

The study, called Cloudy with a Chance of Pain, was funded by the charity Versus Arthritis and ran from January 2016 to April 2017.There were more than five million pieces of data submitted.

Professor Will Dixon, who led the study, said that weather has been thought to affect symptoms in patients with arthritis since Hippocrates and added that around three quarters of people living with arthritis believe their pain is affected by the weather.

The analysis showed that on damp and windy days with low pressure the chances of experiencing more pain, compared to an average day, was around 20%.

He also suggested that the findings mightallow people who suffer from chronic pain to plan their activities, completing harder tasks on days predicted to have lower levels of pain.

Dr Stephen Simpson, director of research at Versus Arthritis, said: We know that of the 10 million people in the UK with arthritis, over half experience life-altering pain every day.

Supporting effective ways of self-managing pain can make all the difference for people with arthritis, helping them to get and stay in work, to be full members of the community and simply to belong.

This research will help us understand the bigger picture of the complexity of pain caused by arthritis and how people with the condition can take control of it.

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Arthritis: whats the weather got to do with it? - The Week UK