StemCell Therapy

Dear Doctor: A friend suggested I try MSM crystals for arthritis. What are they, and do they work? If they do, where can I find them?

Dear Reader: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic sulfur-containing compound naturally found in plants such as Brussels sprouts, garlic, asparagus, kale, beans and wheat germ. It can also be found in horsetail, an herbal remedy. MSM, which has been touted as a treatment for arthritis, is related to a similar compound, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. MSM may have anti-inflammatory properties as well, but different from those associated with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Unlike DMSO, which is a liquid applied at room temperature, MSM is a white crystalline compound hence the reference to "crystals."

As for whether it works, let's look at the evidence. A 2011 study performed in Israel assessed its impact on 50 people with arthritis of the knee. Twenty-five patients took a placebo, while 25 took 1.125 grams of MSM three times per day for 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, symptoms had worsened by 14 percent in the placebo group, but had improved by 20 percent in the MSM group. Pain had increased by 9 percent in the placebo group, but had decreased by 21 percent in the MSM group. Note that in this 12-week study, users noted no side effects.

A 2006 study also assessed MSM's impact on people with arthritis of the knee, with 25 people receiving a placebo and the other 25 receiving a 3-gram dose of MSM twice a day. At 12 weeks, pain had decreased by 25 percent in the MSM group, and by 13 percent in the placebo group. The physical function of the knee also improved with the use of MSM, but stiffness improved only slightly as compared to the placebo. This higher dose of MSM was associated with the mild side effects of bloating and constipation. One interesting note: The study authors found no change in inflammatory markers with MSM.

Lastly, a 2004 study from India compared the use of MSM, the use of glucosamine, the use of a combination and the use of a placebo for arthritis of the knee. After 12 weeks, patients who took 500 milligrams of MSM three times a day reported a significant reduction in pain and swelling of the knee. This was also seen in the group who took glucosamine. Those who took the combination of both MSM and glucosamine reported an additive benefit in regard to pain and swelling.

Granted, these are small studies, but they do show a slight benefit from MSM, but even milder than from Tylenol or NSAIDs. In these studies, the medication was used every day for 12 weeks, so I would assume that you would have to take MSM daily for a long period to see the benefit.

One important caveat: We don't know if there are any long-term side effects with MSM. If you do try it, start with 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times per day. That dose can be found in any drug or vitamin store.

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Ask the Doctors: Using MSM may help alleviate arthritis pain - Billings Gazette

San Francisco Examiner

Arthritis: The Preventable Disease? San Francisco Examiner Arthritis affects 27 million Americans, with knee arthritis alone affecting 9 million. Most of it may preventable. Here's why: Arthritis is a disease affecting the bearing surface (articular cartilage) of joints and the underlying bone, along with the ...

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Arthritis: The Preventable Disease? - San Francisco Examiner

Dear Doctor: A friend suggested I try MSM crystals for arthritis. What are they, and do they work? If they do, where can I find them?

Dear Reader: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic sulfur-containing compound naturally found in plants such as Brussels sprouts, garlic, asparagus, kale, beans and wheat germ. It can also be found in horsetail, an herbal remedy. MSM, which has been touted as a treatment for arthritis, is related to a similar compound, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. MSM may have anti-inflammatory properties as well, but different from those associated with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Unlike DMSO, which is a liquid applied at room temperature, MSM is a white crystalline compound hence the reference to crystals.

As for whether it works, lets look at the evidence. A 2011 study performed in Israel assessed its impact on 50 people with arthritis of the knee. Twenty-five patients took a placebo, while 25 took 1.125 grams of MSM three times per day for 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, symptoms had worsened by 14 percent in the placebo group, but had improved by 20 percent in the MSM group. Pain had increased by 9 percent in the placebo group, but had decreased by 21 percent in the MSM group. Note that in this 12-week study, users noted no side effects.

A 2006 study also assessed MSMs impact on people with arthritis of the knee, with 25 people receiving a placebo and the other 25 receiving a 3-gram dose of MSM twice a day. At 12 weeks, pain had decreased by 25 percent in the MSM group, and by 13 percent in the placebo group. The physical function of the knee also improved with the use of MSM, but stiffness improved only slightly as compared to the placebo. This higher dose of MSM was associated with the mild side effects of bloating and constipation. One interesting note: The study authors found no change in inflammatory markers with MSM.

Lastly, a 2004 study from India compared the use of MSM, the use of glucosamine, the use of a combination and the use of a placebo for arthritis of the knee. After 12 weeks, patients who took 500 milligrams of MSM three times a day reported a significant reduction in pain and swelling of the knee. This was also seen in the group who took glucosamine. Those who took the combination of both MSM and glucosamine reported an additive benefit in regard to pain and swelling.

Granted, these are small studies, but they do show a slight benefit from MSM, but even milder than from Tylenol or NSAIDs. In these studies, the medication was used every day for 12 weeks, so I would assume that you would have to take MSM daily for a long period to see the benefit.

One important caveat: We dont know if there are any long-term side effects with MSM. If you do try it, start with 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times per day. That dose can be found in any drug or vitamin store.

Robert Ashley, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Read more:
ORGANIC COMPOUND MSM COULD HELP WITH ARTHRITIS PAIN - NRToday.com

Executive Director Deborah Jackson, of Northern California Arthritis Foundation, recently joined me as part of a Health Focus television show, inaugurated by Vallejo Community Access Television.

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation.

As a rheumatologist, I see arthritic diseases afflicting our community, at all ages.

The kids with arthritis, however, tend to garner less attention.

Consider the impact of arthritis, for Americans of all ages.

Dr. Sharad Lahhanipal, president of the American College of Rheumatology, recently wrote that arthritis is common, expensive and a leading cause of disability.

One in four adults carry this diagnosis, to a tune of $81 billion in annual medical expenses. Although 32 million arthritis sufferers are between the ages of 18 and 64 years, we also see 300,000 youths whose lives are challenged by this diagnosis.

Clinical assessment by an experienced clinician, combined with state-of-the art treatments, can combine to minimize disabling complications.

Arthritis, which is inflammation of a joint, is typically managed by a team approach, involving primary care doctors, rheumatologists, physical therapists and perhaps, orthopedic surgeons and other specialists.

In the case of pediatric rheumatology, there is a sub-specialty within a sub-specialty, which conveys expertise specific to the arthritic conditions of kids, typically under the age of 16.

We tend to find pediatric rheumatologists in academic medical centers.

There is a national shortage of both adult and pediatric specialists in this field, as the baby boomer physicians begin to retire. So many pediatric patients with arthritis are likely to encounter generalists, adult rheumatologists and pediatricians as therapeutic allies.

The term juvenile arthritis is itself somewhat simplistic.

Without getting too far into the weeds of medical jargon, rheumatologists are interested in distinguishing between inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint disease.

Adults often wear out their joints, due to sports injuries or degenerative processes. Pediatric arthritis may involve infiltration of the joint with inflammatory cells and cellular messengers called cytokines.

Historically, we often used anti-inflammatory drugs, prednisone or methotrexate. More sophisticated biologic agents now supplement or entirely replace many of these older therapies.

Every medicine, however, confers potential side effects, including those associated with attenuating healthy immune responses. It is easy to see why pediatric rheumatologists have a tough job.

Leaving aside treatment, diagnosis of pediatric arthritis is not always straightforward. Ranging from systemic to pauci-articular, a few joints involved, to pediatric forms of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or muscle inflammation, we are confronted with an array of possible diagnoses within the pediatric arthritis umbrella.

Carefully tailored treatment and monitoring is necessary in the management of these conditions.

Some kids with arthritis also require regular monitoring by ophthalmologists, as subtle forms of inflammation may even threaten vision.

Jackson informed us that the Arthritis Foundation is sponsoring numerous activities, relative to juvenile arthritis.

Camp Kids allows youngsters to enjoy outdoor activities and to interact with peers facing similar challenges.

We discussed the fact that a child with arthritis still fulfills all the usual roles of youth, including student, emerging adult and family member.

The Arthritis Foundation also runs Team Retreat, which is more of a family oriented and comprehensive experience. Myriad services and activities sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation are by no means confined to one month of the calendar year.

What might we, as individuals, do to support Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month?

The Arthritis Foundation maintains a website (arthritis. org), with specific information with regard to the activities discussed. They welcome inquiries about further involvement by the community.

Educating ourselves about the importance of juvenile arthritis is a first step.

You are already ahead of many, simply by reading these few words. Thanks!

Scott T. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. (email [emailprotected]), is clinical professor at UC Davis Medical School. This column is informational and does not constitute medical advice.

Originally posted here:
Educate yourself as Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month approaches - Fairfield Daily Republic

Arthritis affects 27 million Americans, with knee arthritis alone affecting 9 million. Most of it may preventable. Heres why.

Arthritis is a disease affecting the bearing surface (articular cartilage) of joints, and the underlying bone, along with the surrounding joint capsule.

Most of arthritis is due to sports and activity-related injuries which, later in life, lead to arthritis. While such injuries usually cannot be prevented, the subsequent arthritis would most likely not occur if the damage was repaired immediately using modern regeneration and replacement techniques.

But this doesnt often happen. Patients tend to ignore their injuries. Surgeons still remove the damaged tissue and tell their patients to come back when they need a knee replacement. Arthritis pain is treated with cortisone instead of growth factors and stem cells, and insurance companies dont pay for up-to-date tissue regeneration techniques. How do we change this?

First, dont ignore an injury. If you twist your knee, hear a pop, and then have swelling, theres a 90% chance you have torn a key tissue in the knee. If left alone, the injury will cause arthritis; if repaired properly, it may not. Getting an accurate rapid diagnosisoften with MRI confirmationis the critical first step. Not having the damaged tissue removed, if at all possible, is the next step.

Unfortunately, most surgeons still remove the damaged knee tissuesusually the meniscus shock absorber and the articular cartilage surfacewithout applying the latest repair, regeneration, and replacement techniques.

Why? Because those repair techniques are difficult, take extra operating time, are not reimbursed by insurance companies, and do not have enough large-scale studies to convince the entire medical establishment that they work. But here are the facts:

We know that if the joint cartilage is repaired or replaced when it is injured, the likelihood of arthritis is significantly less. In the USwhere 800,000 meniscus tears occur each yearless than 10% are repaired and only about 0.25% of people receive a new meniscus. Thats because a future arthritis problem is not likely to cost the insurer money, as most people dont stay with the same insurance company for more than a few years. Surgeons tell the patients to expect arthritis to set in 10 - 20 years in the future; sometimes it occurs much faster.

After arthritis does occur, cartilage repair and replacement procedures can still be beneficial. They can reduce pain, improve functions, and delay the time at which an artificial joint is required. Our own data shows that, on average, as long as it is not bone on bone, many severely arthritic joints can be biologically repaired. This can delay the need for an artificial joint by (on average) 10 years. (Since only the first artificial joint has the best outcome, and the joints last only a couple of decades, it is important to delay this procedure until patients are quite old.) Again, biological repair is not in the interest of the insurance company. Most patients are told to live with their arthritic knee, and their pain, until they are older.

The non-operative procedures for preventing arthritis are also exquisitely effective and underfunded. The joints are protected by the muscles that surround them. The forces absorbed by the joints are a multiple of body weight. Most people take 2 - 3 million steps per year at up to five times their body weight, depending on the height of the step. Optimizing your body weight matters. Being 10 pounds overweight leads to up to 50 pounds of extra force, 2 - 3 million times per year. And, the stronger the muscles around the joint, the better they absorb some of the forcesrather than the joint surfaces. Preventing self-induced injury would significantly lower the arthritis rate.

Research funding would also help. Ninety-seven percent of arthritis diagnoses are the types that orthopaedic surgeons most commonly treat: osteoarthritis or traumatic arthritis. Only 3% are inflammatory; these are called rheumatoid arthritis (or related variants). Yet 97% of the funding of the Arthritis Foundation goes towards those 3% of arthritis diagnoses. Why? Two reasons. First, because thats where much of the money in pharmaceutical treatments of arthritis is to be made. Second, because rheumatologists control the Arthritis Foundation. A major effort to focus research dollars on improving techniques for injury repair would improve outcomes for millions of people.

Given the projected costs to society of $128 billion (or 1.2% of GDP) for arthritis treatment each year, one would think that a national program to prevent this disease would be a high priority. Cancer may kill 600,000 people in the US this year, but arthritis ruins more lives. And it doesnt have to.

Start your workday the right way with the news that matters most.

Read the original here:
Arthritis: The Preventable Disease? - HuffPost

By Robert Ashley, M.D.

A: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic sulfur-containing compound naturally found in plants such as Brussels sprouts, garlic, asparagus, kale, beans and wheat germ. It can also be found in horsetail, an herbal remedy. MSM, which has been touted as a treatment for arthritis, is related to a similar compound, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. MSM may have anti-inflammatory properties as well, but different from those associated with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Unlike DMSO, which is a liquid applied at room temperature, MSM is a white crystalline compound -- hence the reference to "crystals."

As for whether it works, let's look at the evidence. A 2011 study performed in Israel assessed its impact on 50 people with arthritis of the knee. Twenty-five patients took a placebo, while 25 took 1.125 grams of MSM three times per day for 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, symptoms had worsened by 14 percent in the placebo group, but had improved by 20 percent in the MSM group. Pain had increased by 9 percent in the placebo group, but had decreased by 21 percent in the MSM group. Note that in this 12-week study, users noted no side effects.

A 2006 study also assessed MSM's impact on people with arthritis of the knee, with 25 people receiving a placebo and the other 25 receiving a 3-gram dose of MSM twice a day. At 12 weeks, pain had decreased by 25 percent in the MSM group, and by 13 percent in the placebo group. The physical function of the knee also improved with the use of MSM, but stiffness improved only slightly as compared to the placebo. This higher dose of MSM was associated with the mild side effects of bloating and constipation. One interesting note: The study authors found no change in inflammatory markers with MSM.

Lastly, a 2004 study from India compared the use of MSM, the use of glucosamine, the use of a combination and the use of a placebo for arthritis of the knee. After 12 weeks, patients who took 500 milligrams of MSM three times a day reported a significant reduction in pain and swelling of the knee. This was also seen in the group who took glucosamine. Those who took the combination of both MSM and glucosamine reported an additive benefit in regard to pain and swelling.

Granted, these are small studies, but they do show a slight benefit from MSM, but even milder than from Tylenol or NSAIDs. In these studies, the medication was used every day for 12 weeks, so I would assume that you would have to take MSM daily for a long period to see the benefit.

One important caveat: We don't know if there are any long-term side effects with MSM. If you do try it, start with 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times per day. That dose can be found in any drug or vitamin store.

Robert Ashley, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.

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ASK THE DOCTORS: Organic compound MSM could help arthritis ... - Bennington Banner (subscription)

Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pa. - A Huntingdon boy has raised more than $11,000 to find a cure for a disease he's battling every single day.

Jonathon Schneider is just like any other nine-year-old boy.

He's active and loves to play soccer.

The only thing that makes sports a little harder is his juvenile arthritis.

So, he's raising money for research.

"This walk, I raise money to find a cure. There's probably a cure out here somewhere."

The arthritis started in his knees, then spread to his hips and hands.

Jonathon's mom Melissa says the arthritis was triggered by a tick bite which caused Lyme disease.

"After the Lymes was totally gone the pain was there, the swelling was still there and it ended up being this is arthritis."

Last year, Jonathon participated in an arthritis walk and raised $5,000.

This year he wants to double that goal.

"So I thought I would try $10,000 I did it and people helped and that," he explained.

Between his personal fundraiser page and his team page, he's topped that goal.

"That was amazing, just friends and families, moose lodges and friends we've met along the way that have said who doesn't even know Jonathon, just hands us money and says put this towards his walk," said Melissa proudly.

This year Jonathon had a big accomplishment at the Arthritis Walk in Pittsburgh.

He did made it one whole mile but it wasn't an easy one.

"It hurt and it didn't feel the best on my knees and at night time I got a little cranky because when my knees hurt I get a little cranky."

Jonathon's team is still collecting donations for arthritis research.

Donations will be accepted until June 15th.

Click here for the team pageand here for Jonathon's page.

Read the original here:
Boy raises more than 10k for arthritis research - WTAJ

Richard and Louise Blanchfield, who have developed a healthy cook book with recipes which helped Richard (Andrew Cawley / DC Thomson)

LOUISE Blanchfield watched as her husband Richard struggled to pull himself up from the chair.

She pondered what the doctor had said that he wouldnt get any better, he would get worse and could be in a wheelchair by the time he was 60.

At just 41 and a father of two young children she struggled to accept his deteriorating way of life.

So she decided to do what any doting wife would: find a solution.

Five years on, Richards crippling arthritis and bowel disease have all but disappeared.

And hes grateful to Louise every single day.

I just couldnt accept that was the future for my husband, Louise said. He deserved more than that.

Richard, 46, struggled with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, from the age of 18.

Things got worse five years ago when it developed into secondary inflammatory arthritis.

He needed help getting dressed and couldnt cook, which was something he loved.

Scientist and physiotherapist Louise took on the role of family chef and spent her nights trawling the internet once the couples kids Megan and Alec, now 12 and 9, were tucked up in bed, determined to end her husbands agony.

Louise learned that gluten could be a major factor in inflammation, so cut that from the familys diet, then dairy.

She started to follow clean eating methods, with salads and vegetables, and introduced more fish.

It was a slow process, but within months, Richards symptoms began to improve.

A few years on and the doting dad, who works in renewable energy, has made a miraculous recovery. He now regularly plays tennis and shows virtually no signs of arthritis.

His last colonoscopy showed a normal-looking bowel and hes in remission from colitis.

In a nutshell, Richard is better, said Louise, 42. He has the occasional arthritis flare-up, like at Christmas when he falls off the dietary wagon. Well, were not perfect!

People often dont connect what they eat with their health. But anything from infertility to migraines and digestion problems can be alleviated by closer attention to diet.

Louises foodie theory led her to take a course in nutritional therapy. Shes now qualified in the field and launched her new company, The Food Physio, last year.

The couple, from Freuchie in Fife, are in the final stages of completing a cookbook, The Food Physio: Eating My Way Back to Health, filled with gluten and dairy-free recipes, all of which have been tried and tested by the Blanchfields.

They hope it will hit the shelves this summer.

Richard was a non-believer and look at him now. Hes proof that it can work, said Louise.

When youre ill, it can feel like theres no light at the end of the tunnel. But you can lie down and accept it or try to make it better and we did just that.

To pre-order the book, visit thefoodphysio.com

See more here:
How wife's clean eating plan helped husband's crippling pain from arthritis and bowel disease all but disappear - The Sunday Post

AbbVie Inc said on Wednesday its oral rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeded in a late-stage study on patients who had not adequately responded to standard treatments.

The drug, upadacitinib, is a once-daily pill belonging to a class of drugs known as JAK inhibitors, which block inflammation-causing enzymes called Janus kinases.

Pfizer Inc's Xeljanz is the only U.S.-approved JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks tissues in the joints, affecting more than 23 million people.

AbbVie's success comes almost two months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected baricitinib, a rival JAK inhibitor developed by Eli Lilly and Co and Incyte Corp.

If approved, upadacitinib could help AbbVie lower its reliance on its flagship rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira the world's top selling medicine that will soon face competition from biosimilars in the United States.

AbbVie's shares were up 1.4 percent at $68.81 on Wednesday afternoon. They earlier hit a session high of $69.32, their highest since August 2015.

In AbbVie's 12-week study on upadacitinib, two doses of the drug were tested against a placebo on patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

AbbVie said 64 percent of patients given a 15-milligram dose and 66 percent of patients given a 30-mg dose experienced a 20 percent reduction in symptoms, measured using a commonly used rheumatoid arthritis scale.

The company said only 36 percent of patients given a placebo experienced a comparable drop in symptoms, meaning upadacitinib cleared the trial the first of six testing the drug on patients with various cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

As data from the other trials comes in, upadacitinib might prove to be more effective than Lilly and Incyte's baricitinib, Jefferies analyst Jeffrey Holford said.

Rheumatoid arthritis is currently treated with older drugs such as methotrexate, Pfizer's JAK inhibitor Xeljanz as well as injected biologics such as Amgen Inc's Enbrel and AbbVie's Humira.

Humira generated more than $16 billion in sales last year, but competition is looming. AbbVie is trying to block the launch of an FDA-approved biosimilar, made by Amgen, arguing that its patents on Humira offered protection until at least 2022.

AbbVie is also evaluating upadacitinib for several other autoimmune conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Holford estimated peak sales of $3.5 billion for the drug across all diseases. Pfizer's Xeljanz generated sales of $927 million last year.

2017 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

Here is the original post:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Succeeds in Trial - Newsmax

Half of the people who have rheumatoid arthritis have to change jobs, and more than one in 10haveto quit work because of the debilitating condition, it has emerged

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the cells lining a bodys joints causing them to become swollen, stiff, and painful.

Arthritis Ireland has published research showing how the lives of people are impacted by rheumatoid arthritis. Those who participated in the survey were, on average, diagnosed at about 40 years of age and had the disease for 10 years.

It shows that 50% of people surveyed had to change jobs; 17% had to retire from work, and 13% were forced to quit because of their condition.

Almost one in four (24%) reduced their working hours.

Around 40,000 people in Ireland have rheumatoid arthritis, and most (70%) are women.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment allows many people with the condition to reduce the number of flare-ups, lead full lives, and remain at work.

Almost 200 people with rheumatoid arthritis who are being treated by a rheumatologist were included in the Harris Poll online survey for Pfizer.

The study is part of the drug companys initiative to elevate the role of the patient in the successful management of the disease.

In addition to the impact on career, most (88%) people with rheumatoid arthritis worry about the disease getting worse 65% fear they will become disabled, and 64% are concerned about the damage caused to their joints.

More than three quarters (77%) of those surveyed are currently taking prescription medicines but wish they did not have to take so many drugs.

Three out of four (76%) sometimes worry that their medication will fail and more than half (52%) wish they had more medication options.

Seven out of 10 (69%) worry that rheumatoid arthritis will negatively affect their quality of life and most (64%) fear they will not be able to live independently.

Consultant rheumatologist, Prof Doug Veale, said the research is incredibly insightful and a welcome development in identifying the needs of patients.

Arthritis Irelands head of services, Grinne OLeary, said the survey shows that quality of life is a primary concern for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

This new research identifies the need for greater services around the country to assist those with rheumatoid arthritis to live a normal, active live and to empower them to work with their specialist to manage the condition.

Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

See the article here:
One in 10 arthritis sufferers quit work - Irish Examiner

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and mainly affects the hands feet and wrists.

AbbVie Inc, pharmaceutical company, said its oral rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeded in a study on patients who had not adequately responded to standard treatments.

The drug, upadacitinib, is a once-daily pill which is a JAK inhibitor, a type of drug which which block inflammation-causing enzymes called Janus kinases.

Participants in the study were treated for 12 weeks with the drug.

GETTY

Results showed that after 12 weeks of treatment, both doses of upadacitinib (15 mg and 30 mg) met the study's primary endpoints of ACR20 - criteria set by the American College of Rheumatology for medication, and low disease activity.

"We are excited by these promising results for upadacitinib. Selective inhibition of the JAK1 pathway may offer a novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients who do not adequately respond to conventional therapies," said Michael Severino, executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, AbbVie.

"We are especially encouraged by the results on the more stringent measures of efficacy, such as ACR70, low disease activity and clinical remission.

We look forward to seeing the full results from our Phase 3 program.

GETTY

AbbVie's longstanding leadership in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases provides an opportunity to build upon our understanding and develop innovative therapies to address unmet patient needs."

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue - such as the lining go the joints.

It causes joints to become sore and inflamed and damages bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

If the condition isn't treated, these chemicals gradually cause the joint to lose its shape and alignment.

Getty

1 of 12

GETTY

We are excited by these promising results for upadacitinib

Treatment for the condition can help reduce inflammation in the joints, slow damage and relieve pain.

The new treatment has been described as encouraging by Professor Gerd Burmeister, from the department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charit Berlin.

He said: Achieving the target of low disease activity in nearly half of the patients by 12 weeks and doing so at both high and low dose levels is encouraging.

Current treatment recommendations recognise the importance of this clinical target for patients, as achieving low disease activity has remained an unmet need in rheumatoid arthritis."

View original post here:
New drug could fight rheumatoid arthritis symptoms - 'exciting' results for patients - Express.co.uk

AbbVie Inc said on Wednesday its oral rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeded in a late-stage study on patients who had not adequately responded to standard treatments.

The drug, upadacitinib, is a once-daily pill belonging to a class of drugs known as JAK inhibitors, which block inflammation-causing enzymes called Janus kinases.

Pfizer Inc's Xeljanz is the only U.S.-approved JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks tissues in the joints, affecting more than 23 million people.

AbbVie's success comes almost two months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected baricitinib, a rival JAK inhibitor developed by Eli Lilly and Co and Incyte Corp.

If approved, upadacitinib could help AbbVie lower its reliance on its flagship rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira the world's top selling medicine that will soon face competition from biosimilars in the United States.

AbbVie's shares were up 1.4 percent at $68.81 on Wednesday afternoon. They earlier hit a session high of $69.32, their highest since August 2015.

In AbbVie's 12-week study on upadacitinib, two doses of the drug were tested against a placebo on patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

AbbVie said 64 percent of patients given a 15-milligram dose and 66 percent of patients given a 30-mg dose experienced a 20 percent reduction in symptoms, measured using a commonly used rheumatoid arthritis scale.

The company said only 36 percent of patients given a placebo experienced a comparable drop in symptoms, meaning upadacitinib cleared the trial the first of six testing the drug on patients with various cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

As data from the other trials comes in, upadacitinib might prove to be more effective than Lilly and Incyte's baricitinib, Jefferies analyst Jeffrey Holford said.

Rheumatoid arthritis is currently treated with older drugs such as methotrexate, Pfizer's JAK inhibitor Xeljanz as well as injected biologics such as Amgen Inc's Enbrel and AbbVie's Humira.

Humira generated more than $16 billion in sales last year, but competition is looming. AbbVie is trying to block the launch of an FDA-approved biosimilar, made by Amgen, arguing that its patents on Humira offered protection until at least 2022.

AbbVie is also evaluating upadacitinib for several other autoimmune conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Holford estimated peak sales of $3.5 billion for the drug across all diseases. Pfizer's Xeljanz generated sales of $927 million last year.

(This story corrects paragraph 3 to clarify that Xeljanz is the only U.S.-approved JAK inhibitor.)

(Reporting by Divya Grover in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Natalie Grover; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar and by Savio D'Souza)

GENEVA The number of suspected cholera cases in war-torn Yemen has risen to more than 100,000 since an outbreak began on April 27, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.

BRUSSELS The European Union's top court barred Germany's Dextro Energy on Thursday from making claims about the health benefits of glucose contained in its products, which include Dextrose tablets.

Read the original here:
AbbVie's rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeds in late-stage trial - Reuters

AbbVie Inc said on Wednesday its oral rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeded in a late-stage study on patients who had not adequately responded to standard treatments.

The drug, upadacitinib, is a once-daily pill belonging to a class of drugs known as JAK inhibitors, which block inflammation-causing enzymes called Janus kinases.

Pfizer Inc's Xeljanz is the only U.S.-approved JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks tissues in the joints, affecting more than 23 million people.

AbbVie's success comes almost two months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected baricitinib, a rival JAK inhibitor developed by Eli Lilly and Co and Incyte Corp.

If approved, upadacitinib could help AbbVie lower its reliance on its flagship rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira the world's top selling medicine that will soon face competition from biosimilars in the United States.

AbbVie's shares were up 1.4 percent at $68.81 on Wednesday afternoon. They earlier hit a session high of $69.32, their highest since August 2015.

In AbbVie's 12-week study on upadacitinib, two doses of the drug were tested against a placebo on patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

AbbVie said 64 percent of patients given a 15-milligram dose and 66 percent of patients given a 30-mg dose experienced a 20 percent reduction in symptoms, measured using a commonly used rheumatoid arthritis scale.

The company said only 36 percent of patients given a placebo experienced a comparable drop in symptoms, meaning upadacitinib cleared the trial the first of six testing the drug on patients with various cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

As data from the other trials comes in, upadacitinib might prove to be more effective than Lilly and Incyte's baricitinib, Jefferies analyst Jeffrey Holford said.

Rheumatoid arthritis is currently treated with older drugs such as methotrexate, Pfizer's JAK inhibitor Xeljanz as well as injected biologics such as Amgen Inc's Enbrel and AbbVie's Humira.

Humira generated more than $16 billion in sales last year, but competition is looming. AbbVie is trying to block the launch of an FDA-approved biosimilar, made by Amgen, arguing that its patents on Humira offered protection until at least 2022.

AbbVie is also evaluating upadacitinib for several other autoimmune conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Holford estimated peak sales of $3.5 billion for the drug across all diseases. Pfizer's Xeljanz generated sales of $927 million last year.

(This story corrects paragraph 3 to clarify that Xeljanz is the only U.S.-approved JAK inhibitor.)

(Reporting by Divya Grover in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Natalie Grover; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar and by Savio D'Souza)

VIENTIANE Dozens of fertility clinics have mushroomed in land-locked Laos after scandals over commercial surrogacy have spurred wealthier southeast Asian neighbors to ban the controversial procedure since 2015.

ZURICH Novartis on Wednesday touted new data from its T-cell therapy CTL019, saying it is on a par with results of experimental molecules from Kite Pharma and Juno Therapeutics that also target aggressive blood cancers.

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AbbVie's rheumatoid arthritis drug succeeds in trial - Reuters

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A golf tournament happening on the summer solstice is raising money to benefit the nonprofit Arthritis Foundation Alaska.

There are about 125,000 peoplewith arthritis living in Alaska, including 900 children, accordingto the Arthritis Foundation.

It was real obvious to me that they were the underdog when it came to charities, said Kevin Turkington, owner of Midnight Sun Homecare, a sponsor of the Midnight Sun Charity Golf Classic. We have kind of become family in this effort to help people understand that its not your grandmothers disease anymore.

There are many different types of arthritis, but its commonly referred to joint pain or joint disease. Symptoms of arthritis include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is a disability that can change a persons way of life.

You dont just take a couple aspirin and everything is fine, Turkington said. its like your joints become your enemy and it attacks them.

The Arthritis Foundation Alaska helps fund research, public health programs and advocacy. Last year more than 2,600 Alaska relied on the foundation as atool, according to its website.

The money raised at the 2017 Midnight Sun Charity Golf Classicwill go to the foundation.

Eighty-two percent of all the funds raised go directly to finding a cure and supporting those who suffer, and here in Alaska, Turkington said. Which is unheard of in the nonprofit world where mostly 30 percent goes to admin-type costs.

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Osteoarthritis affects around 4 million people in the UK every year.

When a joint develops osteoarthritis, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin, and the bone underneath thickens.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious and disabling autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.

It affects more than 690,000 people in the UK, of which over 500,000 are women and around three-quarters are of working age.

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However there is one form of arthritis - which occurs most commonly in the knees and hips.

Septic arthritis is the inflammation of a joint which is caused by a bacterial infection.

It is also known as bacterial arthritis, or even infections arthritis.

Any joint can be affected by the condition but it occurs most frequently in the knees and hips. However there is one form of arthritis - which occurs most commonly in the knees and hips.

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Septic arthritis is the inflammation of a joint which is caused by a bacterial infection.

It is also known as bacterial arthritis, or even infections arthritis.

Any joint can be affected by the condition but it occurs most frequently in the knees and hips. There are number of factors which can increase the risk of developing the condition, including having joint surgery, such as a knee replacement or hip replacement, having a bacterial infection somewhere else in your body and having a long term condition.

Having rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing the condition.

Experts also warn that using injected drugs, or medication which suppresses the immune system can also be a factor.

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Septic arthritis typically causes severe pain

Invasive bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria can be life-threatening and fatal, causing sepsis - blood poisoning, pneumonia and Toxic Shock Syndrome.

The bacteria, which normally lives harmlessly on the skin, nose or mouth but can invade the bodys bloodstream and release poisonous toxins.

Toxins can damage tissue skin and organs and can disturb vital organ functions.

If doctors suspect pain could be a symptom of septic arthritis, GPs are likely to refer patients to A&E, where they will give patients a blood test.

The condition is usually treated with antibiotics and often fluid will have to be drained from one of the affected joints.

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Arthritis symptoms - painful joints could be a sign of THIS life-threatening condition - Express.co.uk

By Cottage Health | June 7, 2017 | 9:30 a.m.

Few of us need to be given more reasons to drop those extra pounds. We could do it for our hearts or our chins, for lower medical bills or freer spirits.

But did you know you should also do it for your joints?

Being overweight increases your risk of degenerative arthritis in the weight-bearing joints, especially the knees, said Dr. Victor Tacconelli, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Cottage Health.

According to the U.S. Surgeon Generals Office, your odds of developing osteoarthritis (OA) the most common type of the disease increase by 9 percent to 13 percent for every two-pound increase in weight.

In other words, being 20 pounds overweight doubles your chances of getting arthritis.

Conversely, losing just 12 pounds halves the risk of osteoarthritis for overweight women, according to Dr. David Felson, the former director of the Boston University Arthritis Center and currently a professor at Boston University School of Medicine.

There is no doubt that being overweight contributes to getting osteoarthritis and to making it worse, he told Arthritis Today magazine.

The extra weight is especially hard on the knees, since every extra pound you carry adds a three- or four-pound load to each knee, Felson says.

Study after study has established the link between being overweight or obese and having arthritis in the hips or knees. According to one study, obese women were nearly four times as likely as nonobese women to develop osteoarthritis of the knee, and the risk for obese men was nearly five times greater.

In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 66 percent of people with arthritis are overweight or obese.

If you already have osteoarthritis, doctors say that losing just a few pounds can significantly decrease your pain, not to mention lower your chances of developing OA in other weight-bearing joints.

Remember, for every pound you lose, its like taking four pounds of load off each knee every time you take a step.

One problem is that osteoarthritis often makes it painful to exercise, leading many sufferers to avoid physical activity and put on even more weight. But low-impact exercises, like water aerobics and bicycling, can help your sore joints and relieve stiffness and swelling.

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Arthritis and Your Weight Have More of a Connection Than You Think - Noozhawk

With each jump on the trampoline, Katie Chipman soared a little higher.

The creaks of springs and the thunk of her feet hitting the trampoline echoed through the quiet gym. After half a dozen jumps, the 12-year-old threw out the tricks.

Flips, spirals, twists.

When her turn was done, she sat on the sideline, applauding and cheering on her teammates.

But seven years ago, that scene was unthinkable. Diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, Katie couldnt stand or walk, let alone compete in gymnastics.

One in every 250 children in the United States is affected by variations of the disease, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Katies parents noticed the problem when she was 5. It started with fevers, muscle aches and a rash on her legs. The symptoms would come and go during the day and leave her exhausted. All she did was sleep.

Within a week, Katies mom took her to the familys pediatrician at Offutt Air Force Base. Katies father, Todd Chipman, was stationed there while in the Navy.

The pediatrician diagnosed Katie with a virus.

While a normal virus will run its course, this one only got worse.

I knew something wasnt right with my kid. It wasnt just a cold, her mom, Kim Chipman, said.

The Papillion family went to urgent care. Doctors there gave Katie a steroid shot that alleviated symptoms for a few days before they returned.

Almost a month after her first visit, Katie and her mom returned to the doctors office on base. After a barrage of tests, they had an answer: systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. That type of the disease is characterized by a spiking fever and rash.

No one in the family, including Katies twin sister, had arthritis.

I remember I looked at the doctor and said, Can we go back to mystery virus instead of this? This diagnosis is her whole life, Chipman said. It was certainly something we had to wrap our heads around.

Katie had to give up gymnastics, and she couldnt sit on the floor with kindergarten classmates, because it would be too hard to get back up.

Katies pediatric rheumatologist put her on steroids to curb inflammation. The drugs doubled the girls weight. Doctors struggled to find a medication to keep arthritis symptoms at bay without introducing a different problem.

Katie tried at-home injections, but that didnt sufficiently calm the arthritis. About a year and a half into her diagnosis, Katie started twice-a-month infusion treatments at Childrens Hospital & Medical Center.

Administered through an IV, the treatments ease Katies symptoms without introducing new side effects. Each appointment takes about four hours.

That medication is like gold for her, Kim Chipman said. It gave her her life back.

There is a risk that shell stop responding to the treatment. But theres also a slight chance that her symptoms may lessen enough to allow her to get off medication altogether.

Katies type of arthritis accounts for 10 percent of the arthritis seen in children nationally, said Dr. Adam Reinhardt, a pediatric rheumatologist at Childrens Hospital & Medical Center.

For many arthritis patients, gymnastics would be out of the question because the sport requires so much joint activity, Reinhardt said. But infusion treatments have significantly limited the symptoms of her disease.

The fact that she has responded this well to therapy and gone on to be a high-level gymnast and tumbler is impressive, Reinhardt said.

Staying active is important for adults and children diagnosed with arthritis.

Katie started gymnastics while the family was living in Hawaii. Chipman home-schooled her four children, and they did gymnastics for physical education. The other children stopped participating in the sport after moving to Papillion eight years ago.

But Katie wanted to continue. She competes on a trampoline and tumbling team through Airborne Academy near 111th and Q Streets.

At a recent regional competition, Katie took first in the trampoline category. She placed third in the double mini category another trampoline exercise and sixth in tumbling. At the end of the month, shell compete with her teammates at nationals in Milwaukee.

I want to do it because its fun, Katie said. I want to put time and effort into it, because I want to compete well.

When patients like Katie have flares of the disease, they need to take it easy and manage the pain. When Katie has a flare-up, the original symptoms fever, rash and joint pain return.

Its kind of like a freight train. It takes awhile to get going, but once it does, its hard to stop, her mom said.

Katie's gymnastics coach, Tex Womack, said its up to Katie to speak up at the gym if shes hurting.

Womack, whos been working with Katie since August, didnt know about her arthritis until she missed a few practices. He said she rarely mentions the topic in the gym.

Shes a real tough athlete, he said. She doesnt make a big deal of it to me.

Katie, who will start eighth grade at Papillion Middle School in the fall, doesnt want the disease to make her different.

I just have to go through it sometimes, because I dont like to sit out, Katie said. I like to be like everyone else and like a normal kid.

At a recent practice, Katie got a running start before launching herself onto a trampoline. She jumped once and did a back flip before gaining momentum and height. After two more back flips, she landed gingerly in a pit of foam squares.

Thats all you ever want for your kids: to be able to do what they love, Chipman said. Were very thankful weve found something that works.

kelsey.stewart@owh.com, 402-444-3100,twitter.com/kels2

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Gymnast, 12, flies high in spite of living with juvenile arthritis | Real ... - Omaha World-Herald

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The degenerative condition - where the joints become inflamed - can cause stiffness and pain.

However, recent research has found that what you eat can make symptoms better or worse.

Eating oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, has been found by recent research to help.

This is because omega-3 has an anti-inflammatory effect.

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Some foods can exacerbate symptoms, which, in addition to joint pain, include tiredness, weight loss, night sweats and skin rashes.

However, other foods can exacerbate symptoms, which, in addition to joint pain, include tiredness, weight loss, night sweats and skin rashes.

Cassandra Barns, a nutritionist, reveals which foods to cut or reduce in your diet to prevent aggravating the condition.

Red meat

Red meats contain relatively high levels of an omega-6 fatty acid called arachidonic acid, which can convert to pro-inflammatory substances in the body and may exacerbate pain and inflammation, she said.

A small quantity of good quality red meat can be beneficial, supplying good levels of nutrients such as iron; however, those with arthritis may benefit from sticking to one or two servings per week.

Replace red meat with oily fish for the omega-3 fatty acids, and good quality organic white meats such as chicken. A good quality fish oil is essential - try Super Omega 3-6-9 by Quest Vitamins.

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Foods to avoid if you are suffering with Gout

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Fried foods

Avoid any fried foods, particularly those fried in vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which in high levels can convert to pro-inflammatory substances in the body, and also become rancid when heated to high temperatures, she explained.

Olive oil is a slightly better alternative to normal vegetable oils but its fatty acids can still spoil at high temperatures, so avoid heating it to smoking point.

Coconut oil can be a much better alternative: as it is mainly composed of saturated fats, it does not spoil at high temperatures, while still providing a healthier alternative to butter and other animal fats.

If you need favour, use curcumin, which is well known for its anti-inflammatory effects in your diet. Alternatively, try Natures Plus Source Of Life Garden Curcumin.

Coffee

Coffee can contribute to increased acidity of the blood, which can exacerbate any inflammation. Decaffeinated coffee is not a good alternative as it still contains substances that can be detrimental to the body, she warned.

Green tea and herbal teas are a much better option.

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Fizzy drinks and sugary foods

Like coffee, they can increase the acidity of the blood, exacerbating inflammation, she said.

The best drinks to include are pure water and herbal teas; fruit juice diluted half and half with water is OK, but avoid orange juice.

Nightshade family vegetables

These vegetables may exacerbate pain and inflammation for some people with arthritis. The nightshade family are tomatoes, white potatoes, aubergine and peppers, she explained.

Note that black pepper as a spice is not included in this group and is fine to use, as are sweet potatoes. Most other vegetables are beneficial and should be the main part of most meals.

If you are struggling with your five a day, try Natures Plus AgeLoss First Day Healthy Inflammation Response.

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High levels of wheat and dairy foods

Intolerances to wheat in particular may be particularly common, and some individuals find that finding alternatives to wheat and wheat-based foods can have a beneficial effect for how they feel, including any inflammation and pain they may be experiencing, she said.

Intolerances to dairy foods especially that from cows milk can also be common.

Dairy products (especially full-fat) also contain arachidonic acid, which as mentioned above, can convert to pro-inflammatory substances. Many alternatives to dairy milk are now available, including oat milk, coconut-based milk and nut milks such as almond and hazelnut.

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Arthritis symptoms: THESE foods can make the pain worse - Express.co.uk

A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that one-third of adults in rural areas have arthritis, and that more than one-half of that population is limited in their daily activities by the condition.

In Kentucky, more than one million adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis and more than half (570,000) of those with arthritis live in rural parts of the state. Furthermore, 45 percent of rural working age adults report that arthritis limits their ability to work.

Many senior centers, local health departments, the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence on Rural Health and YMCAs offer proven exercise and self- management programs that help relieve arthritis pain, said Teri Wood, principal investigator on the CDC Arthritis grant for DPH.

Our program is always seeking local organizations already serving rural populations, including churches, county extension agents, veterans service organizations, health care clinics, and community centers that might be able to collaborate to make the small-group versions of these low-cost programs more available, added Wood.

DPH and the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), within CHFS, collaborate on arthritis prevention and control to increase access to programs for arthritis management.

Programs such as Walk with Ease, Enhance Fitness and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program as examples of effective arthritis management tools that are available in many communities across the state.

More information can be found here:http://www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/dpqi/cd/arthritis.htm

More information on the impact of arthritis nationwide can be found here:http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr

(story provided by Cabinet for Health and Family Services)

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Reducing carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta, could better kickstart your immune system to fight disease.

One of its components - glucose - interferes with some of the bodys immune cells.

The simple sugar is generated when we digest carbs, and as well as being vital for energy its also important in cell division and growth.

However, in some cases it can stop the immune system working properly, and therefore help drive disease.

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Research by Trinity College Dublin discovered that when certain cells are starved of glucose, they stimulated the immune system.

Research by Trinity College Dublin discovered that when certain cells are starved of glucose, they stimulated the immune system.

These dendritic cells are the part of the immune system that monitors our body for signs of danger.

When they arent given of glucose, they push the immune systems T lymphocytes into action.

The latter work on the front line against infection and tumours.

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Indeed, they are what directly fight cancer and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and heart problems.

There are other immune cells, however, which become dysfunctional if they're starved of glucose.

This is because when responding to infection they have a high demand for it.

The research outlines how various cells may interact with glucose differently.

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The study authors believe the new findings could open up new approaches to treating cancers and immune-related conditions.

David Finlay, lead researcher, said: It is becoming clear that glucose is an important signaller in our immune system, in that cells that have access to glucose behave very differently to those that do not.

We have discovered that dendritic cells are actually better at stimulating immune responses when starved of glucose, which is not the case for any of the other immune cells that have been analysed.

The discovery that T cells and dendritic cells compete with each other for glucose offers a new and exciting insight into how glucose can regulate dendritic cell function.

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