StemCell Therapy

Peng Thim Fan, MD, FACP, is a clinical professor of rheumatologyat David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He also serves as a staff rheumatologist for VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System.

During the first day of Pri-Med West 2022in Anaheim, Fan's presentation featured 3 case studies in rheumatic disease with the first focusing on osteoarthritis and the second on rheumatoid arthritis. The third case study falls on a different spectrum by examining a patient with a single swollen joint.

In an interview, he explained that infection is always a concern when a patient presents with monoarthritis. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, a new discussion on rheumatic diease and infection has surfacedone that is constantly evolving.

"There are some emerging studies showing that having an autoimmune background not only may make your illness worse, but that the risks of long COVID, the so-called long-haul syndrome, may actually be higher when you have autoimmune background and auto antibodies, and so on," Fan said.

While there are many uncertainties surrounding the novel coronavirus, the vaccine has offered substantial protection for patients with rheumatic disease, he said. Initially, there was concern regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine in this population because of the use of immunosuppressant treatments.

"People on immunosuppressive still able to mount a pretty good response to the vaccine and get protected," Fan said. "Interestingly, some of the drugs that we don't really think are important, happen to be important."

The example he gave was methotrexate, which isn't an immunosuppressant. However, people who take it should talk with their doctor about pausing use of the medication prior to receiving the vaccine because it can reduce the efficacy, Fan explained.

"We're starting to see some cases of reactive arthritis after COVID-19 infection and also after vaccination," he said. "So, that's something to watch out for. So, there is an evolving story."

Read the original:
Peng Thim Fan, MD: Reactive Arthritis and Long Covid-19 - MD Magazine

HAUPPAGE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Rheumatology, the pre-eminent rheumatology care management organization known for empowering rheumatologists to advance the standard of care across the country, today announces a new project with its longstanding partner, CreakyJoints, the international digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research. CreakyJoints is part of the non-profit Global Healthy Living Foundation. Together, the two organizations launched the Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness Center to provide rheumatologists with a trusted place to refer patients for educational information and tools to incorporate into their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management strategy post-appointment.

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness Center digital resources were developed in consultation with health care professionals and the CreakyJoints patient community and overseen by the medical leadership of United Rheumatology. Key topics included in the wellness center include managing fatigue, sleep, exercise, and nutrition as well as recommendations for managing the overall mental and emotional aspects of living with a chronic disease. United Rheumatology and CreakyJoints will expand the center later this year to include related rheumatic conditions.

Our United Rheumatology rheumatologists understand that living with RA can be hard and coping with RA symptoms like pain and fatigue often requires more than just medication. Thats why we were inspired to collaborate with CreakyJoints to create a centralized, reliable resource for our patients that will start them on the path of understanding their disease and committing to lifelong management, said Dr. Andrew Concoff, Chief Medical Officer, United Rheumatology.

Too often after their rheumatology appointment, patients go home and then consult Dr. Google, to answer their questions, but that can be problematic. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness Center allows our patient community to easily access trusted, patient-friendly information and resources and to connect with the arthritis community, added Dr. Concoff.

Finding Community and Support

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness Center also directs people living with RA to places where they can find peer support, both online and in-person. CreakyJoints offers online support via multiple social media platforms and free access to the ArthritisPower Research Registry, which already includes more than 35,000 consented members who use the phone or desktop application to track their experience of symptoms, treatments, and complementary therapies with the added option of participating in voluntary research studies.

By working together, as a leading patient organization and a leading specialty care network, we are helping patients thrive before, during, and after their rheumatologist visits. Just as its unthinkable to travel somewhere new without GPS navigation, everyone living with RA needs a well-mapped wellness plan that can be personalized and centered around them. Thats exactly what this program was designed to do, said Seth Ginsberg, Co-founder and President of the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints.

Visit the Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness Center today.

About CreakyJoints

CreakyJoints is an international digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research. We represent patients in English, Spanish, and French through our popular social media channels, our websites, and the 50-State Network, which includes more than 1,700 trained volunteer patient, caregiver, and provider health care activists.

Part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, CreakyJoints also has a patient-reported outcomes registry called ArthritisPower (ArthritisPower.org), which includes tens of thousands of consented arthritis patients who track their disease while volunteering to participate in longitudinal and observational peer-reviewed research. In addition to online and downloadable educational resources, CreakyJoints publishes many arthritis and chronic disease podcast series, available on all major streaming platforms, that provide both patient and provider perspectives. It also hosts PainSpot (PainSpot.org), a digital risk-assessment tool for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, and eRheum (eRheum.org), for telehealth and virtual-care support. All programming is free, always. For more information, visit CreakyJoints.org.

About United Rheumatology: United Rheumatology represents and supports over 650 community-based rheumatologists in 39 states. It does not own or operate rheumatology practices; the practices are all independent. The Company has established a comprehensive portfolio of physician, patient, and health plan payor offerings. Driven by the largest rheumatology electronic medical records clinical database in the U.S., United Rheumatology supports an unparalleled platform for jointly developed coordinated care solutions.

For more information visit https://unitedrheumatology.com/.Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

See the original post:
United Rheumatology and CreakyJoints Launch the Rheumatoid Arthritis Wellness Center - Business Wire

An ad hoc committee has been appointed to undertake a routine review of the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the leadership of Director Richard F. Loeser, Jr., MD, and Joseph P. Archie, Jr., Eminent Professor of Medicine. The review is a standard procedure of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and will take place on June 21, 2022.

An ad hoc committee has been appointed to undertake a routine review of the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the leadership of Director Richard F. Loeser, Jr., MD, and Joseph P. Archie, Jr., Eminent Professor of Medicine.

The review is a standard procedure of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and will take place on June 21, 2022.

The review committee invites your participation and input:

The deadline to request time on the review committee agenda, or to share written comments, is June 10, 2022.

Note that North Carolina law requires that any written materials developed or received by the committee during the review may be made available to the person reviewed upon request. All requests from the person reviewed will be handled by the Legal Department and any identifying information will be redacted prior to release of the material.

Members of the Review Committee

Mark Zylka, PhD Review Committee Chair, Distinguished Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology

Deborah Givens, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA Distinguished Professor, Department of Allied Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy

Corrine Keet, MD, PhD Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

Yisong Wan, PhD Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Roland Tisch, PhD Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Shannelle Campbell, MD, MPH, FACS Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery

Adesola Akinkuotu, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Surgery

James Sanders, MD Distinguished Professor, Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Read the original:
Five-Year Review of UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center, Loeser and Archie | Newsroom - UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine

ReportLinker

Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market 2022-2026 The analyst has been monitoring the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market and it is poised to grow by $ 14. 90 bn during 2022-2026, accelerating at a CAGR of 7.

New York, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market 2022-2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05638948/?utm_source=GNW 73% during the forecast period. Our report on the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by unmet needs for safer biologics for RA, the availability of improved diagnostic modalities, and the need for affordable biologics for RA.The rheumatoid arthritis drugs market analysis includes the type segment and geographic landscape.

The rheumatoid arthritis drugs market is segmented as below:By Type Biologics Small molecules

By Geography Europe North America Asia Rest of World (ROW)

This study identifies the high cost of RA drugs as one of the prime reasons driving the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market growth during the next few years. Also, the use of biologics/biosimilars for the treatment of RA and the use of gene therapy for RA treatment will lead to sizable demand in the market.

The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on rheumatoid arthritis drugs market covers the following areas: Rheumatoid arthritis drugs market sizing Rheumatoid arthritis drugs market forecast Rheumatoid arthritis drugs market industry analysis

This robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position, and in line with this, this report provides a detailed analysis of several leading rheumatoid arthritis drugs market vendors that include AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Astellas Pharma Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Cyxone AB, Eli Lilly and Co., F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Genor BioPharma Holding Ltd., Gilead Sciences Inc., GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson and Johnson, Kangstem Biotech Co. Ltd., Novartis AG, Oryn Therapeutics, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, Sorrento Therapeutics Inc., Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., and UCB SA. Also, the rheumatoid arthritis drugs market analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. This is to help companies strategize and leverage all forthcoming growth opportunities.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.

The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research - both primary and secondary. Technavios market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast the accurate market growth.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05638948/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________

Story continues

Visit link:
The Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market is expected to grow by $ 14.90 bn during 2022-2026, accelerating at a CAGR of 7.73% during the forecast...

Pain in the big toe may be more common than you think. The big toe is the area of the foot most commonly affected by arthritis, which is a common source of pain and stiffness in a joint.

We end up seeing it frequently, said Dr. Alejandro Miranda, an orthopedic surgeon in Steamboat Springs and a member of the medical staff at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. Arthritis technically means joint inflammation or pain, but we often think of it as wear and tear of the joint surface. In the big toe, it is medically diagnosed as hallux rigidus.

Since that wear and tear happens naturally over time, arthritis of the big toe usually impacts older patients. But younger patients arent immune, as the issue can be brought on by trauma or stress to the joint, and genetics.

Not too uncommonly we will see people in their 30s present with arthritis of the big toe, Miranda said. It may be that they were more susceptible or that they somehow traumatized that joint.

Symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling.

In the early stages, people may feel their footwear applies more pressure than it used to. As the joint stiffens, mobility lessens and it becomes harder to put on boots or shoes, Miranda said. Another early sign is pain with physical activity.

Initial treatment options include wearing spacious shoes to accommodate the enlarged joint and using stiffer shoes or insoles. Taping techniques can also be used so the affected joint doesnt have as much range of motion.

Youre more or less splinting the injured joint, and because of that, a lot of people will feel some relief, Miranda said.

Oral and topical anti-inflammatories, as well as physical therapy, may also help with pain.

Exercises that heavily load the toe, such as weighted lunges and burpees, may exacerbate the issue, so Miranda encourages patients to tailor their workouts accordingly.

If those initial efforts dont help, a steroid injection in the toe, done under X-ray guidance to ensure the steroid gets into the joint, can help quiet down the joint space and alleviate pain. But eventually, surgery may be considered if nonoperative treatments fail.

Once conservative treatments stop taking effect and as the pain becomes more limiting, we start thinking about surgical options, Miranda said. The goal is always to find whats right for each individual to get them back to doing what they like to do.

In general, three types of surgery may be considered: bone spurs that impinge the joint and cause pain can be shaved away; synthetic implants or tissue can be interposed in the joint to restore joint spacing; and finally, the joint can be fused.

Fusing the joint converts a diseased and painful stiff joint into a painless stiff joint, Miranda said. For the person who has debilitating pain and symptoms in which their joint is stiffened already, youre helping them by making it painless.

Patients may worry that fusing the joint will make it harder to return to activities, but in fact, people are still able to hike, run, ski and do labor-intensive jobs.

Certainly, some modifications need to be made some people end up selecting different footwear or different types of boots but most people do get back to most of their activities without pain, Miranda said.

Miranda encourages people who are having pain and stiffness in the big toe to seek an evaluation.

Arthritis is only one of the diagnoses that causes pain in the toe. Seeking an evaluation can shed light on the source of pain, and help determine next steps are for pain relief, Miranda said.

Susan Cunningham writes for UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. She can be reached at cunninghamsbc@gmail.com.

Link:
Monday Medical: Addressing arthritis of the big toe - Steamboat Pilot & Today

Smolen, J. S., Aletaha, D. & McInnes, I. B. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 388, 20232038 (2016).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Goekoop-Ruiterman, Y. P. & Huizinga, T. W. Rheumatoid arthritis: Can we achieve true drug-free remission in patients with RA?Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. 6, 6870 (2010).

Article Google Scholar

Aga, A. B. et al. Time trends in disease activity, response and remission rates in rheumatoid arthritis during the past decade: Results from the NOR-DMARD study 20002010. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 74, 381388 (2015).

CAS Article Google Scholar

van der Helm-van Mil, A. H. Risk estimation in rheumatoid arthritis: From bench to bedside. Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. 10, 171180 (2014).

Article Google Scholar

Ohrndorf, S. & Backhaus, M. Advances in sonographic scoring of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 72, ii69ii75 (2013).

Article Google Scholar

Scir, C. A. et al. Ultrasonographic evaluation of joint involvement in early rheumatoid arthritis in clinical remission: Power Doppler signal predicts short-term relapse. Rheumatology (Oxford) 48, 10921097 (2009).

Article Google Scholar

Peluso, G. et al. Clinical and ultrasonographic remission determines different chances of relapse in early and long standing rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 70, 172175 (2011).

Article Google Scholar

Foltz, V. et al. Power Doppler ultrasound, but not low-field magnetic resonance imaging, predicts relapse and radiographic disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low levels of disease activity. Arthritis Rheum. 64, 6776 (2012).

Article Google Scholar

Iwamoto, T. et al. Prediction of relapse after discontinuation of biologic agents by ultrasonographic assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical remission: High predictive values of total gray-scale and power Doppler scores that represent residual synovial inflammation before discontinuation. Arthritis Care Res. 66, 15761581 (2014).

Article Google Scholar

Nguyen, H. et al. Prevalence of ultrasound-detected residual synovitis and risk of relapse and structural progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical remission: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 53, 21102118 (2014).

Article Google Scholar

Kawashiri, S. Y. et al. Ultrasound-detected bone erosion is a relapse risk factor after discontinuation of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis whose ultrasound power Doppler synovitis activity and clinical disease activity are well controlled. Arthritis Res. Ther. 19, 108 (2017).

Article Google Scholar

Matsuo, H. et al. Prediction of recurrence and remission using superb microvascular imaging in rheumatoid arthritis. J. Med. Ultrason. (2001)47, 131138 (2020).

Article Google Scholar

Matsuo, H. et al. Positive rate and prognostic significance of the superb microvascular imaging signal in joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission with normal C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates. J. Med. Ultrason. (2001) 48, 353359 (2021).

Article Google Scholar

Ngiam, K. Y. & Khor, I. W. Big data and machine learning algorithms for health-care delivery. Lancet Oncol. 20, e262e273 (2019).

Article Google Scholar

Goecks, J., Jalili, V., Heiser, L. M. & Gray, J. W. How machine learning will transform biomedicine. Cell 181, 92101 (2020).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Kingsmore, K. M., Puglisi, C. E., Grammer, A. C. & Lipsky, P. E. An introduction to machine learning and analysis of its use in rheumatic diseases. Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. 17, 710730 (2021).

Article Google Scholar

Stafford, I. S. et al. A systematic review of the applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in autoimmune diseases. NPJ Digit. Med. 3, 30 (2020).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Luque-Tvar, M. et al. Integrative clinical, molecular, and computational analysis identify novel biomarkers and differential profiles of anti-TNF response in rheumatoid arthritis. Front. Immunol. 12, 631662 (2021).

Article Google Scholar

Kalweit, M. et al. Personalized prediction of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using an adaptive deep neural network. PLoSOne 16, e0252289 (2021).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Yoosuf, N. et al. Early prediction of clinical response to anti-TNF treatment using multi-omics and machine learning in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab521 (2021).

Article Google Scholar

Vodencarevic, A. et al. Advanced machine learning for predicting individual risk of flares in rheumatoid arthritis patients tapering biologic drugs. Arthritis Res. Ther. 23, 67 (2021).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Koo, B. S. et al. Machine learning model for identifying important clinical features for predicting remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologics. Arthritis Res. Ther. 23, 178 (2021).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Johansson, F. D. et al. Predicting response to tocilizumab monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: A real-world data analysis using machine learning. J. Rheumatol. 48, 13641370 (2021).

CAS Article Google Scholar

van der Maaten, L. J. P. & Hinton, G. E. Visualizing data using t-SNE. J. Mach. Learn. Res. 9, 25792605 (2008).

MATH Google Scholar

Karlsson Sundbaum, J. et al. Methotrexate treatment in rheumatoid arthritis and elevated liver enzymes: A long-term follow-up of predictors, surveillance, and outcome in clinical practice. Int. J. Rheum. Dis. 22, 12261232 (2019).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Chen, Y., Yu, Z., Packham, J. C. & Mattey, D. L. Influence of adult height on rheumatoid arthritis: Association with disease activity, impairment of joint function and overall disability. PLoSOne 8, e64862 (2013).

ADS Article Google Scholar

Zhao, Y. et al. Ensemble learning predicts multiple sclerosis disease course in the SUMMIT study. NPJ Digit. Med. 3, 135 (2020).

Article Google Scholar

Morid, M. A., Lau, M. & Del Fiol, G. Predictive analytics for step-up therapy: Supervised or semi-supervised learning?. J. Biomed. Inform. 119, 103842 (2021).

Article Google Scholar

Fiorentino, M. C. et al. A deep-learning framework for metacarpal-head cartilage-thickness estimation in ultrasound rheumatological images. Comput. Biol. Med. 141, 105117 (2022).

Article Google Scholar

Rohrbach, J., Reinhard, T., Sick, T. & Drr, O. Bone erosion scoring for rheumatoid arthritis with deep convolutional neural networks. Comput. Electr. Eng. 78, 472481 (2019).

Article Google Scholar

Naredo, E. et al. Ultrasound joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis in clinical remission: How many and which joints should be assessed?. Arthritis Care Res. (Hoboken) 65, 512517 (2013).

Article Google Scholar

Backhaus, M. et al. Guidelines for musculoskeletal ultrasound in rheumatology. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 60, 641649 (2001).

CAS Article Google Scholar

Szkudlarek, M. et al. Interobserver agreement in ultrasonography of the finger and toe joints in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 48, 955962 (2003).

Article Google Scholar

Breiman, L. Random forests. Mach. Learn. 45, 532 (2001).

Article Google Scholar

Chen, T. & Carlos, G. XGBoost: A Scalable Tree Boosting System. KDD '16: Proceedings of the 22nd ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining 785794. https://doi.org/10.1145/2939672.2939785 (2016).

See the article here:
Machine learning-based prediction of relapse in rheumatoid arthritis patients using data on ultrasound examination and blood test | Scientific Reports...

Along with pain and aching in one or more joints, chronic arthritis can cause the following specific symptoms:

In addition to these, individuals can suffer from more general symptoms. These can include fatigue, a high temperature, sweating, loss of appetite and weight loss. Dry eyes and chest pain can also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis due to inflammation spreading around the body.

It is advised that when suffering from any of the above symptoms for a prolonged period of time, individuals should seek medical advice. When seeing a GP, individuals will have multiple tests, physical examinations or scans to achieve a correct diagnosis.

The NHS also explains that genetics also may play a part in who is affected by the condition. There is some evidence to suggest that rheumatoid arthritis can run in families, although the risk of inheriting it is thought to be low, as genes are only thought to play a small role in the condition.

The rest is here:
Pope Francis restricted to wheelchair due to suspected chronic arthritis - symptoms - Express

This article was originally published here

Telemed J E Health. 2022 May 3. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0078. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to compare the quality-of-care and compliance with medical record regulations between in-person consultations (QIP and CIP) and telephone consultations (QTP and CTP), from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outpatients, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore the impact of the consultation modality on the treatment. Methods: Data from 324 medical notes corresponding to rheumatic consultations between July and December 2020 were abstracted. Notes were selected considering a stratified (in-person and telephone consultations) random sampling strategy. QIP, CIP, QTP, and CTP were scored based on prespecified criteria as percentages, where higher numbers translated into better standards. Logistic regression analysis investigated the association between the consultation modality and the treatment recommendation (dependent variable). Results: There were 208 (64.2%) medical notes related to in-person consultations and 114 (35.2%) to telephone consultations. Overall, medical notes corresponded to middle-aged women with long-standing disease. QIP was superior to QTP (median, interquartile range): 60% (60-75%) versus 50% (25-60%), p 0.001, and differences were related to disease activity and prognosis documentation (81.3% vs. 34.5% and 55.8% vs. 33.6%, respectively, p 0.001) and the prolonged prescription of glucocorticoids with a documented management plan (58.5% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.045). Meanwhile, CIP and CTP were similar. Telephone consultation was a significant risk factor for no changes in the treatment recommendation (odds ratio: 2.113, 95% confidence interval: 1.284-3.479, p = 0.003), and results were consistent in the 142 medical notes with documented absence of disease activity. Conclusions: In the clinical context of RA, the quality-of-care provided by telephone consultations is below the standard of care and impacts the treatment.

PMID:35506921 | DOI:10.1089/tmj.2022.0078

See original here:
Comparison of Teleconsultations and In-Person Consultations from Outpatients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Internal...

This article was originally published here

RMD Open. 2022 May;8(1):e002031. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002031.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Patient care can vary substantially by country. The objective was to explore differences in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) across countries for disease activity, impact and treatments.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 13 countries from the Remission/Flare in PsA study (NCT03119805) of consecutive adult patients with definite PsA was performed. Countries were classified into tertiles by gross domestic product (GDP)/capita. Disease activity (Disease Activity in PsA, DAPSA and Minimal Disease Activity, MDA) and their components, disease impact (patient-reported outcomes) and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) were analysed per country and compared between the three tertiles of GDP/capita by parametric and non-parametric tests. We also explored the percentage of patients with significant disease activity (DAPSA >14) and no ongoing bDMARD prescription.

RESULTS: In 439 patients (50.6% male, mean age 52.3 years, mean disease duration 10.1 years), disease activity and disease impact were higher in the lowest GDP/capita countries. DAPSA remission and MDA were attained in the lowest tertile in 7.0% and 18.4% patients, vs 29.1% and 49.5% in the middle tertile and 16.8% and 41.3% in the high tertile, respectively (all p<0.001). bDMARDs use was similar in the tertiles (overall mean 61%). The overall rate of patients with DAPSA >14 and no bDMARDs was 18.5%, and was higher in lower GDP/capita countries (p=0.004).

CONCLUSION: PsA patients from countries with the lowest GDP/capita, despite similar use of bDMARDs, were more likely to have high disease activity and worse disease impact. There is a need for more equity in healthcare.

PMID:35523519 | DOI:10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002031

Read this article:
Disparities in healthcare in psoriatic arthritis: an analysis of 439 patients from 13 countries - DocWire News

TUESDAY, Dec. 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Cortisone injections have gotten a bad rap in recent years as a treatment for arthritis pain, because steroids are known to damage cartilage and could potentially cause the joint to further deteriorate.

But a new study suggests that if used wisely, cortisone shots are as safe as another type of injection used to treat knee arthritis.

Occasional cortisone shots don't appear to cause knees to deteriorate any faster than injections of hyaluronic acid, a substance injected to lubricate joints stiffened by arthritis, the researchers said.

"Knee replacement rates were, if anything, a little bit less in the group that got the cortisone injections," said senior researcher Dr. David Felson, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine.

However, Felson added that the study only looked at people who'd gotten infrequent cortisone shots to their knee, and shouldn't be interpreted as giving the green light to regular injections for years to come.

"What we know from the study that we can trust is that a few cortisone injections won't really cause much trouble," Felson said. "It's conceivable that repeated injections every three months for years won't cause any trouble, but you can't say that."

Steroids are known to be toxic to cartilage, the connective tissue that keeps your bones from rubbing against each other, explained Dr. Melissa Leber, director of the Emergency Department's Division of Sports Medicine in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

"If you use it enough, it will damage the cartilage," said Leber, who had no role in the study.

A 2019 study reported a threefold increased risk of knee arthritis progression in people who'd received repeated cortisone injections, compared with people who'd never gotten the shot, Felson and his colleagues said in background notes.

Comparing two types of shots

However, no clinical trials had ever compared the two most common types of knee arthritis injections, cortisone jabs and hyaluronic acid shots, Felson said.

The two types of shots do different things in the joint, and are sometimes used in combination, Leber said.

Cortisone shots are anti-inflammatory and help reduce pain, while hyaluronic acid injections are like a gel that provides lubrication in the ailing joint.

"You're injecting WD40 almost into the knee. That acts to allow smoother gliding in the joint," Leber explained.

Unlike cortisone, hyaluronic acid gel isn't harmful to cartilage.

The latest study looked at nearly 800 people with knee arthritis, of whom 4 out of 5 reported getting cortisone shots for their knee pain. The rest had reported receiving hyaluronic acid injections.

After seven years of follow-up, researchers found that those who got steroid injections had no greater cartilage loss than those treated with hyaluronic acid.

In fact, people who got cortisone shots were about 25% less likely to need a total knee replacement than those who got hyaluronic acid.

The message to knee arthritis patients regarding cortisone shots is simple, Felson said: "Don't be scared."

"There's nothing bad that's going to happen with one shot or even a few shots," Felson said. "People should be reassured. They shouldnt avoid getting an effective treatment."

Wise use is crucial

The findings bolster the approach orthopedic specialists already take in handing out cortisone shots to treat knee arthritis, Leber said.

"If someone already has a ton of damage to the cartilage in their knee, a lot of arthritis, then we don't worry as much about using a steroid to help with pain control because they already have a lot of arthritis in the knee," Leber said. "Damaging it a touch more just to give them good pain control is a very minor thing. It's not as risky.

"In someone who's young, in their 20s to 40s, who has very little cartilage damage but has pain, we try to use it sparingly," she continued. "Would you use them on occasion in a young person? Yes. That's only as a one-time thing. You don't want to use it repetitively.

"Steroid is bad for cartilage, but that doesn't mean it's bad for every patient," Leber concluded. "It's a case-by-case situation."

Regardless, you wouldn't expect any patient to receive frequent cortisone injections, whatever their condition, added Dr. Jeffrey Schildhorn, an orthopedic surgeon with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"If you give someone a shot in January and they come back in April saying they want another one, and they come back in August and want another one, how well are they working?" said Schildhorn, who was not part of the study. "They're not working, if you're only getting two or three months of relief."

The new study was published recently in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology.

More information

The Cleveland Clinic has more about knee arthritis.

SOURCES: David Felson, MD, professor, medicine and epidemiology, Boston University; Melissa Leber, MD, director, Emergency Department's Division of Sports Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City; Jeffrey Schildhorn, MD, orthopedic surgeon, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Arthritis and Rheumatology, Dec. 1, 2021

See original here:
Are Cortisone Injections Good or Bad for Arthritic Knees? - HealthDay News

Arthritis is not a single disease, but instead a way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. Nonetheless, people of all ages can suffer from the health issue, including children. There are some modifiable risk factors that may help stave off the condition.

The Arthritis Foundation of Asia says that certain foods have been shown to fight inflammation, strengthen bones and boost the immune system.

The organisation says that watermelon is a fruit with anti-inflammatory action.

It notes that it is high in the carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin, which can reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation notes that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries may all also help with arthritis symptoms.

The NHS encourages those living with arthritis to eat a healthy and balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Diets should consist of a variety of foods from all five food groups.

It's very important to eat a healthy, balanced diet if you have arthritis. Eating healthily will give you all the nutrients you need and help you maintain a healthy weight, says the NHS.

These are fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, and meat, fish, eggs and beans.The health body adds that you should include milk and dairy foods, and foods containing fat and sugar.

There are also a number of factors which might make inflammation and pain worse.

DON'T MISS:

University Health says that incorporating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fibre into your diet, may help reduce joint pain and inflammation.

Some foods can actually trigger inflammation, so if you have an arthritis diagnosis it may be worth cutting these down in your diet.

It adds: On the other hand, there are certain foods you may want to avoid. Processed foods, food with added sugars and red meats may cause inflammation.

It suggests avoiding ice cream, fast food, cakes, bread and biscuits, as well as beef and pork.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, affecting around eight million people, while rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 400,000 people.

Rheumatoid arthritis often starts when a person is between 40 and 50 years old, and women are three times more likely to be affected than men.

The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

The NHS explains that living with arthritis can sometimes mean carrying out everyday tasks that can often be painful and difficult.

Nonetheless, there are a number of factors that can ease pain. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis aims to slow the condition's progress and minimise joint inflammation.

If you notice symptoms or are concerned about arthritis it is important to speak to your GP.

If the doctor suspects arthritis they will perform a range of tests to check the range of motion in your joints.

Originally posted here:
Arthritis: The fruit 'with anti-inflammatory action' - other foods to include in your diet - Daily Express

Psoriasis is found in about 2.2% of people in the United States, or about 7.5 million individuals. Research shows that psoriatic arthritis (PsA) appears in at least 30% of those with psoriasis. A study published within the last eight years in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology even estimated that 36% of Americans with psoriasis have been diagnosed with PsA.

A chronic auto immune disease, psoriasis is caused by an accumulation of skin cells. This occurs because skin cells are created more rapidly than normal. This is caused by an overactive immune system. Usually, skin cells develop and are discarded by the body over a period of about one month. With psoriasis, the process takes only three to four days and the skin cells do not shed but cluster on the skins surface. Psoriasis may develop on any area of the body. Although it is usually diagnosed in adults, it can occur in all age groups. It is not contagious.

Although psoriatic arthritis affects some with psoriasis, it is possible that it may appear years after the psoriasis diagnosis. As with rheumatoid arthritis, it causes joint pain but PsA tends to affect a smaller number of joints. In some cases, the joint pain may begin around the time the skin shows signs of psoriasis. PsA is usually diagnosed with among adults between ages thirty and fifty-five but it can develop in any age group.

Symptoms

Several common areas have been identified for PsA. The include fingers and toes, hands and feet and the lower back and spine. In some cases, arthritis mutilans may develop. This severe condition may destroy the small bones in the hands. Deformed hands may result, leading to disability.

Symptoms of PsA may appear for a time and then subside. They include a feeling in the joints of pain and warmth and a noticeable swelling. The swelling can appear in fingers and toes. Additionally, pain may arise in the feet or lower back. With foot pain, PsA may occur at the point of attachment of tendons and ligaments to the bone. When pain occurs in the back, inflammation begins at the joints between vertebrae and the spine and pelvis. This is called spondylitis.

Changes in the appearance of fingernails and toenails are symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. The nail may deteriorate or leave the nail bed and pits or dents may appear.

An inflammation in the middle layer of the eye may also occur. Blurred vision, redness or pain may result from this condition, called uveitis. Vision loss may result if it is left untreated.

The importance of early detection

Early diagnosis has been identified as an effective way to slow or reduce potential irreversible joint damage. While there is no cure for PsA, early detection can help doctors and patients plan an effective treatment regimen. If someone begins to experience symptoms, it is advisable that they consult their primary care physician, a dermatologist or rheumatologist. The earlier the diagnosis is established, the better chances are of slowing progression. Managing the symptoms can also begin sooner.

A diagnosis may involve a physical examination and questions about family and personal medical history. When consulting a physician or specialist, patients should notify them of joint pain especially if it lasts six to eight weeks. Any joint stiffness or swelling should also be reported. If signs of psoriasis are not visible, it may be necessary to test blood or uric acid levels or to employ imaging techniques such as X-Rays, MRI or ultrasound.

Management and treatment

Treatment to manage PsA and limit joint pain may include physical and occupational therapy. Additionally, medications designed to reduce inflammation and pain may be prescribed. Certain areas of the immune system can also be targeted by biologic response modifiers. Other medications can decrease the activity of inflammation-causing enzymes.

The relationship between PsA and other chronic or medical conditions considered comorbidities has also been established, connecting cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other conditions to PsA. Additionally, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia may have and impact or be affected by PsA. Diligent management of these conditions will also coincide with the independent management of PsA.

To learn more about a variety of health conditions, management and treatment, log on to vascularhealthclinics.org.

Omar P. Haqqani is the Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Vascular Health Clinics in Midland. If you have questions about your cardiovascular health, including heart, blood pressure, stroke lifestyle and other issues, we want to answer them. Submit your questions to Dr. Haqqani by e-mail at questions@vascularhealthclinics.org.

Read more from the original source:
Dr. Haqqani: Early detection of psoriatic arthritis advantageous - Midland Daily News

This article was originally published here

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/art.42044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate levels and possible extramucosal formation of secretory immunoglobulins, including anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: Three patient groups were studied: i) ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain without clinical arthritis, ii) recent-onset RA, and iii) established RA. In baseline serum (i and ii) and paired synovial fluid samples (iii), we analyzed total secretory IgA (TSIgA), total secretory IgM (TSIgM), free secretory component (SC), and SC ACPA. Extramucosal formation of SC ACPA was investigated by pre-incubating RA sera and affinity-purified ACPA with recombinant free SC.

RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, serum levels of TSIgA and TSIgM were increased both in early RA and at-risk patients (p<0.05). Early RA patients with elevated total secretory immunoglobulins had significantly higher disease activity during 3-year follow-up compared to those without increased levels. At-risk patients developing arthritis during follow-up (39/82) had higher baseline TSIgA levels compared to those who did not (p=0.041). In established RA, TSIgA and TSIgM levels were higher in serum than in synovial fluid (p<0.001), but SC ACPA adjusted for total secretory immunoglobulin concentration were higher in synovial fluid (p<0.001). Pre-incubation with recombinant free SC yielded increased SC ACPA reactivity in sera as well as in affinity-purified IgA and IgM ACPA preparations.

CONCLUSION: Circulating secretory immunoglobulins are elevated before and at RA onset. In the presence of free SC, secretory immunoglobulins may form outside the mucosa, and SC ACPA are enriched in RA joints. These findings shed important new light on the mucosal connection in RA development.

PMID:34927393 | DOI:10.1002/art.42044

Originally posted here:
Extramucosal formation and prognostic value of secretory antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis - DocWire News

Dublin, Dec. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market (2021 Edition) - Analysis By Drug Type (NSAIDs, DMARDs, Corticosteroids, Others), Treatment, Diagnosis, By Region, By Country: Market Insights and Forecast with Impact of COVID-19 (2021-2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market was valued at USD 24.46 Billion in the year 2020

Globally, the market for rheumatoid arthritis is increasing rapidly and the major factors that drive the growth of rheumatoid arthritis is the increasing aging population. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that people who smoke are at an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

DMARDs segment is expected to hold significant share in Rheumatoid Arthritis Market on the back of increasing prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis incidences across the globe, the launch of the therapeutic agents, and the favorable reimbursement policies for the high-cost treatment products. These are the major factors propelling the growth of the market.

Americas region dominated the global Rheumatoid Arthritis market and led the industry in 2020 owing to presence of large patient base and availability of well-developed infrastructure, rising awareness regarding disease treatment, growing geriatric population, and high adoption of biopharmaceuticals for treatment.

There is also an increase in funds provided to academic research institutions and individual researchers that is expected to boost the market growth. Moreover, various initiatives by international bodies, such as WHO and NIH for the prevention and treatment of chronic disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis and cancer are anticipated to facilitate the growth of the market.

The report tracks competitive developments, strategies, mergers and acquisitions and new product development.

The companies analysed in the report include

Merck KGaA

Sanofi

Eli Lilly Company

Amgen Inc

Bristol-Mayor Squibb

F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.

Johnson & Johnson

Cipla

Pfizer

Galapagos NV

Gilead Sciences

Key Topics Covered:

1. Report Scope and Methodology

1. Report scope & Methodology1.1 Scope of the Report1.2 Research Methodology1.3 Executive Summary

2. Strategic Recommendations

3. Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Product Outlook

4. Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Sizing and Forecast4.1 Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Size, By Value, Year 2016-20264.2 Impact of COVID-19 on Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market

5. Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Segmentation - By Drug Type, By Treatment, By Diagnosis5.1 Competitive Scenario of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: By Drug Type5.1.1 NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.1.2 DMARD'S (Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug) - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.1.3 Corticosteroids- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.1.4 Others - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.2 Competitive Scenario of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: By Treatment5.2.1 Tendon Repair - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.2.2 Joint Fusion- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.2.3 Joint Replacement- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.2.4 Others - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.3 Competitive Scenario of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: By Diagnosis5.3.1 CRP (Creative Protein Test) - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.3.2 ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)- Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)5.3.3 Others - Market Size and Forecast (2016-2026)

6. Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Regional Analysis6.1 Competitive Scenario of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: By Region

7. Americas Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Segmentation (By Drug Type, By Treatment, By Diagnosis)7.1 Americas Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Size and Forecast (2016-2026), By Value7.2 Americas Rheumatoid Arthritis Market - Prominent Companies7.3 Market Segmentation By Drug Type (DMARD's, NSAID, Corticosteroid, Others)7.4 Market Segmentation By Treatment (Tendon Repair, Joint Fusion, Joint Replacement and Others)7.5 Market Segmentation By Diagnosis (CRP, ESR and Others)7.6 Americas Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Country Analysis7.7 Market Opportunity Chart of Americas Rheumatoid Arthritis Market - By Country, By Value, 20267.8 Competitive Scenario of Americas Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: By Country7.9 United States Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Size and Forecast (2016-2026), By Value7.10 United States Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Segmentation - By Drug Type, By Treatment, By Diagnosis (2016-2026)7.11 Canada Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Size and Forecast (2016-2026), By Value7.12 Canada Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Segmentation - By Drug Type, By Treatment, By Diagnosis (2016-2026)

8. Europe Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Segmentation (By Drug Type, By Treatment, By Diagnosis)

9. Asia Pacific Rheumatoid Arthritis Market: Segmentation (By Drug Type, By Treatment, By Diagnosis)

10. Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Dynamics10.1 Drivers10.2 Restraints10.3 Trends

11. Market Attractiveness11.1 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market - By Drug Type, 202611.2 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market - By Treatment, 202611.3 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market - By Diagnosis, 202611.4 Market Attractiveness Chart of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market - By Region, 2026

12. Competitive Landscape12.1 Product Pipeline of Leading Rheumatoid Arthritis Companies12.2 Market Share Analysis

13. Company Analysis

Story continues

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r5fx0l

Read the original post:
Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Market Report 2021: Market Insights and Forecast with Impact of COVID-19, 2016-2026 - Yahoo Eurosport UK

When you move, you might sometimes hear your joints crack. This is known as crepitus, Latin for "rattle," as perHealthline. These little pops might either give you relief, make you feel mildly uncomfortable, or inspire no sensation at all. However, hearing all the cracking might leave you concerned about the health of your joints. After all, surely these sounds aren't normal. But, orthopedic surgeon Kim L. Stearns, MD, told Cleaveland Clinic, "It's a normal, common occurrence."

You probably noticed that the older you get, the more of these types of noises you hear. There's a reason for that. "The older you get, the more noise your joints can make, because some of your cartilage wears away as part of the normal aging process," Dr. Stearns said. "Then these surfaces get a little rougher and so you get more noise as they rub against each other." While some joint cracking is normal and no cause for concern, you should contact a doctor in some cases. Read on to determine when the snap, crackle, and pop might indicate a problem.

There's some good news if you're worried about cracking joints causing arthritis. Healthline reported that it does not cause arthritis to crack your knuckles or other joints. Instead, that belief is merely an old wives' tale.

When should you worry about your joint cracking? "As long as it's not painful, joint noise is OK," Dr. Kim L. Stearns told Cleaveland Clinic. "If there's pain, you may have an injury then that requires treatment."Rehab Orthopedic Medicine reported that snapping and crackling could be a sign of arthritis, which is part of the normal aging process. Arthritis, and the joint noises that occur because of it, can be painful. The sounds you hear might indicate your bones are grinding against each other if your cartilage has worn away. When you feel joint pain in conjunction with your joints cracking, you should see your doctor to treat the underlying condition.

If you don't feel pain when your joints crack, chances are you don't have to worry about arthritis just yet. According to Healthline, the sounds you hear can result from your muscles moving. Additionally, the joint cracking might occur when cavities or bubbles form in your synovial fluid, which contains oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide to help provide cushioning for your bones. When those bubbles or cavities pop, then you hear cracking.

According to Cleveland Clinic, if you notice popping sounds while you're doing repetitive exercises, it could be a sign your muscles are tight. Dr. Kim L. Stearns recommended gentle stretching to help loosen up your tight muscles. If you hear more cracking joints than you'd like, and you're not concerned that it's due to arthritis, there is a solution to help lessen the amount of noise you hear. "We say motion is lotion the more you move, the more your body lubricates itself," Dr. Stearns noted. "When you've been sitting or lying around, fluid in the joints doesn't move. The more active you are, the more your joints lubricate themselves." Grab a yoga mat and get into the habit of stretching regularly throughout the day.

Read more:
What Does It Mean When Your Joints Keep Cracking? - The List

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, people who are hospitalized with the virus have a variety of treatments to help them battle it. But misinformation is widespread, and thats caused some confusion about these treatment options. To get a clearer idea of what treatments hospitals are using and which ones theyre not we spoke with critical care physician Joseph Khabbaza, MD.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

Treatment options for people with COVID-19 have improved greatly since the beginning of the pandemic. While they do not guarantee a quicker recovery, they may help minimize the severity of the infection and get you back to health.

The anti-viral drug remdesivir was originally developed in 2009 as a potential treatment for hepatitis Candrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The drug was also used to treat a number of people during various Ebola outbreaks in recent years. And its been tested as a treatment for other coronaviruses like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)and SARS.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) of remdesivir for people with COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, and later, fully approved it after studies showed the drug could shorten recovery time for people. Its typically reserved for use with patients with cases requiring supplemental oxygen who are early enough in their illness that blocking virus replication could help minimize the severity of their course, says Dr. Khabbaza.

A pair of anti-inflammatory drugs have recently been granted EUAs by the FDA for use in people hospitalized with COVID-19.

The drug tocilizumab was granted an EUA by the FDA in June 2021 for use in certain people with COVID-19. The drug is a monoclonal antibody that, according to the FDA, reduces inflammation by blocking the interleukin-6 receptor.

In other words, the drug doesnt target the virus but does reduce inflammation caused by the virus by blocking one of the markers that drive inflammation. The drug is already used as a prescription medication for inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Another drug, baricitinib, has also been granted an EUA by the FDA. Known as a janus kinase inhibitor, the drug blocks a specific group of enzymes that minimizes inflammation through a different pathway than tocilizumab. It has previously been FDA-approved for use in people with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis.

Originally only given an EUA for use in combination with Remdesivir, baricitinib received an additional EUA that allows it to be administered on its own.

The steroid dexamethasone, typically used to treat inflammation associated with conditions like asthma and arthritis, was granted an EUA by the FDA to use in a combination with other drugs to treat severe cases of COVID-19.

Dexamethasone blunts the intensity of the inflammatory response our immune system makes when trying to fight COVID-19, says Dr. Khabbaza. Often, this inflammatory response is what drives severity of illness and studies have shown that minimizing it decreases the severity of disease in some patients.

A study showed a lower 28-day mortality rate for those who received the steroid as part of their treatment, but its not recommended for those with more moderate cases.

People with severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia might require a breathing tube or ventilators for help maintaining oxygen levels. Being placed on a ventilator is one of the most extreme measures when it comes to treatment, but its necessary because people with severe cases are unable to maintain oxygen levels on their own.

While the mortality rate of those placed on ventilators is higher than those who dont require a ventilator, many people survive and eventually have the ventilator removed. But, Dr. Khabbaza notes, being put on a ventilator can cause other issues that require additional recovery time, too.

Being on a ventilator is quite uncomfortable because a tube is placed in the back of your throat and into the main windpipe that leads to our lungs, he says.

This process, Dr. Khabbaza adds, requires a fair amount of sedation for patients so they can safely tolerate the tube, which leads to more potential complications. Sedation in ICU patients can lead to profound muscle weakness that can often accompany an ICU stay and require a longer time of rehabilitation once off of the ventilator, he says.Additionally, being on a ventilator brings an increased risk of resistant bacterial pneumonia developing and trauma to our vocal cords or trachea if kept in too long.

Since the onset of the pandemic, a few alleged treatments have gained traction, often promoted by dubious claims across social media platforms.

The drug hydroxychloroquine received a lot of attention at the beginning of the pandemic as a possible way to treat COVID-19. At one time used as an anti-malarial drug, its currently used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite those early suggestions, hydroxychloroquine is not used to treat COVID-19.

Overall, hydroxychloroquine is a safe drug. However, in extensive studies, it has never been shown to be helpful in fighting COVID-19 and that is the main reason it should not be used, says Dr. Khabbaza.

The risk of certain side effects makes hydroxychloroquinea less than ideal choice for the treatmentof COVID-19. The most concerning one is torsades de pointes, a type ofventricular tachycardiawhere your heart beats so fast that your blood pressure plummets and the heart cant pump enough oxygen through your body.

Other side effects include the risk of interference with other prescription medications and causing gastrointestinal issues. It was enough that in November 2020, the National Institute of Health issued a statement saying it had formally concluded that the drug provides no clinical benefit to hospitalized patients.

Another drug that hasgained attention from misinformationon the internet is ivermectin. There is a prescription version for humans that comes in oral and topical forms, but this is only used forparasitic roundworm infections likeascariasis,head liceandrosacea,and in far lower and safer doses than being suggested inappropriately for COVD-19.

A different version of this particular drug is in formulations that arent meant for consumption by humans but, rather, used to prevent heartworm disease and other parasites in horses and cows in the concentrated veterinary forms.

While both have been the subject of speculation by misinformed social media participants, neither are nor should be used as a treatment for COVID-19. Those higher doses can be very toxic for humans, Dr. Khabbaza says, and that can lead to severe side effects.

Some of those side-effects stemming from large doses include:

This medication is intended to treat parasites, not viruses, Dr. Khabbaza adds. While one study out of Egypt claimed to show the drugs effectiveness against COVID-19, Dr. Khabbaza points out that not all studies are created equally. Several other studies that are of a higher standard refute the claims its effective, he says.

The best way to protect yourself and to drastically reduce the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, Dr. Khabbaza says. All of the data weve gotten about the available, approved COVID-19 vaccines is that theyre highly effective in preventing serious illness from the virus, he points out.

While there have been breakthrough cases in people who are fully vaccinated, having the vaccine has greatly reduced the severity of the virus. No vaccine is ever perfect in completely preventing illness, Dr. Khabbaza says. But they do offer you immense protection against severe cases. The number of hospitalizations for vaccinated patients due to COVID-19 is incredibly low.

The bottom line: Get vaccinated and avoid social media for treatment advice.

Here is the original post:
Whats Used To Treat People Who Are Hospitalized With COVID-19 and Whats Not - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

For example, he said, suppose a teenage patient goes to the doctor with telltale symptoms, such as hearing voices. If the doctor uses a new name for the diagnosis, Dr. Carpenter said, you can almost hear the parents saying, Didnt that used to be called schizophrenia?

This may also be the wrong moment to tinker with the name, Dr. Carpenter added. Scientists are reworking the clinical definition of schizophrenia, including focusing more on brain mechanisms, not just psychological symptoms, and viewing it more as a syndrome than as a single disease. These changes could be reflected in future revisions of the D.S.M., and it may not make sense to rename the disorder before this happens.

Even some mental health professionals who work to counter its stigma are skeptical of the renaming effort.

We absolutely agree that language is extremely important, said Lisa Dailey, the director of the Treatment Advocacy Center, which supports people with severe mental illness, but added that pushing for a name change is not an effective use of limited resources.

The best way to destigmatize schizophrenia, Ms. Dailey said, is to develop better medications that work for more people.

While other countries, including Japan and South Korea, have recently adopted new names for schizophrenia, Dr. Meshalom-Gately and Dr. Keshavan acknowledged that they need more of a consensus among scientists and clinicians in the United States.

There is precedent for rethinking mental health terminology, they note. The illness once known as manic depression was successfully relabeled bipolar disorder in 1980. Mental retardation became intellectual disability in 2013. And the categories for autism were changed in the most recent version of the psychiatric diagnostic manual, after years of advocacy.

Even if the Consumer Advisory Board succeeds in convincing the authors of the next diagnostic manual to change the name, it is not going to be enough to reduce stigma and discrimination, Dr. Mesholam-Gately said. There also needs to be public education campaigns that go along with that, to really explain what the condition is and the treatments that are available for it.

Source link

Read the original post:
Schizophrenia Still Carries a Stigma. Will Changing the Name Help? - newsconcerns

Pune, Maharashtra, India, December 17 2021 (Wiredrelease) MarketResearch.Biz :An overview of the market segment, size, share, sectional analysis, and revenue forecast, as well as a complete analysis, are included in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market study. It looks at market factors, industry trends, market dynamics, and the strengths and weaknesses of the top competitors. It also includes details on sales channels, distributors, traders, and dealers, as well as research findings and conclusions, an appendix, and data sources. The research document goes into great detail about product launch events, growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities.

Book Your Sample Report @https://marketresearch.biz/report/rheumatoid-arthritis-drugs-market/request-sample

The study examines market competition, constraints, revenue predictions, opportunities, shifting trends, and industry-validated data in depth. The study begins with an overview of the industrial chain structure before delving into the upstream in greater depth. TheRheumatoid Arthritis Drugsmarket research study provides crucial statistics on the current state of the industry and serves as a valuable source of guidance and direction for businesses and individuals interested in the market. The study can aid in better understanding the market and planning for business expansion by offering an inside and out assessment of new rivals or existing organizations in the market.

The study examines market competitiveness among the top companies, as well as their biographies, market prices, and channel characteristics. A thorough market analysis considers a number of factors, ranging from a countrys population and business cycles to market-specific microeconomic ramifications. In terms of regional competitive advantage and the competitive landscape of significant enterprises, the study discovered a shift in market paradigms. Players have employed a range of tactics to increaseRheumatoid Arthritis Drugs market penetration and improve their positions, the following are some key players:

>

The market research report divides theRheumatoid Arthritis Drugs market into applications, Typeand market share . This study covers details the cost structure analysis and market growth factor of the industry. This report also sheds light on the fastest growing segments of the market and various factors that drives growth for such segments.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market Segmentation Overview:-

distribution channel

drug class

Because the Covid-19 eruption has had such a broad impact on businesses, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the implications of all collaborations. With this in mind, we conducted extensive and one-of-a-kind research on the market impact of Covid-19. The following is a link to the Covid-19 study report:https://marketresearch.biz/report/rheumatoid-arthritis-drugs-market/covid-19-impact

The key features of the market research report Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs are as follows:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market Segmentation

Display all Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs market data, including width

Market trends, development, and potential for promotion

Status of Competition, Circulation of Manufacturing Capacity, Sales Location, and Product Type

Market Research, Distributors/Merchandisers, and Marketing

Market risks and difficulties in the future

You can ask questions about the study or express your concerns about it here:https://marketresearch.biz/report/rheumatoid-arthritis-drugs-market/#inquiry

Finally, the analysis highlights the performance of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugsmarket sectors key elements and application components in each regional industry. Similarly, stratified guidance on the list of significant actors operating within each regional economy informs the regional economys competitive dynamics. This enables a thorough and in-depth examination of the overall business Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugsmarket. In addition, the report includes global Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugsmarket industry forecasts for each object, geography, and application sector for the years 2022-2031.

Historical year: 2015-2020

Base year: 2021

Forecast period: 2022 to 2031

Table of contents for Market Report Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs:

1: Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs market Industry Overview

2: The Global Economic Impact on the Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs market Industry

3: Global Market Competition for Industry Producers

4: Global Productions and Revenue (Value) by Region

5: Global Supplies (Production), Consumption, Export, Import, and Geographical Distribution

6: Global Manufacturing, Revenue (Value), Price Trend, Product Type

7: Global Market Analysis by Application

8: Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market Pricing Analysis

9: The Market Chain, Sourcing Strategy, and Downstream Buyers

10: Key policies and strategies of distributors/suppliers/traders

11: Key Marketing Strategy Analysis of Market Vendors

12: Market Influencing Factors Analysis

13: Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market Prediction

Click here for the full INDEX, including data, facts, figures, tables and more:https://marketresearch.biz/report/rheumatoid-arthritis-drugs-market/#toc

Key Questions Answered in theRheumatoid Arthritis DrugsMarket Report

What are the main market drivers and restraints right now? What impact will future drives and restraints have?

What are the present markets main drivers and restraints? What effect will drivers and restraints have in the future?

What are the key global market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic?

What is the growth rate of the global market? What will be the growth tendency in the future?

See More Reports here:

1.Organic Bedding Market Major Factor Driving Growth Is Increasing Adoption of High-End Lifestyle Products

2.US$ 7,760.8 Bn In (20172021) | Internet of Things (IoT) Market Estimated To Hit Double Digit CAGR Of 21% By 2026

3.PET Preforms Market Garner Above US$ 29.3 Bn in 2026, Globally, Driven By Rapid Development Of FMCG Industry

MarketResearch.Biz (Powered By Prudour Pvt. Ltd.)

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 300

New York, NY 10170,

United States

Website:https://marketresearch.biz

Email ID:inquiry@marketresearch.biz

This content has been published by MarketResearch.Biz company. The WiredRelease News Department was not involved in the creation of this content. For press release service enquiry, please reach us at contact@wiredrelease.com.

Excerpt from:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Market To Develop With Increased Global Emphasis On Industrialization - Digital Journal

Abatacept is also approved for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, and moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis for children 2 years of age and older.

The FDA approved abatacept (Orencia; Bristol Myers Squibb) for the prophylaxis, or prevention, of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate for individuals 2 years of age or older undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a matched or 1 allele-mismatched unrelated donor.

Orencia is the first FDA-approved therapy to prevent aGVHD following hematopoietic stem cell transplant, a potentially life-threatening complication that can pose a comparatively higher risk to racial and ethnic minority populations in the US due to difficulty finding appropriately matched donors, said Tina Deignan, PhD, senior vice president of US Immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb, in a press release.

Allogeneic HSCT is a treatment for hematological diseases that involves the infusion of hematopoietic stem cells, which includes donor T-cells, a type of white blood cell that recognizes and destroys foreign invaders and damaged or cancerous cells in the body.

The aGVHD occurs when the donor T-cells recognize an individuals healthy cells and begins attacking healthy tissues and organs.

Abatacept binds to and modulates protein targets involved in costimulation, which would inhibit T-cell activation. There is no known relationship between these biological response markers to the mechanisms by abatacepts clinical effects.

Abatacept has other indications for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, and moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis for children 2 years of age and older.

The approval is based on results from the phase 2 GVHD-1 trial, also known as ABA2, that evaluated abatacept when added to a regimen of a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine or tacrolimus) and methotrexate for prophylaxis of aGVHD in individuals undergoing HSCT, and a clinical study known as GVHD-2 using data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research.

The findings suggest abatacept could play an important role in preventing aGVHD in hematopoietic stem cell transplant, said Leslie Kean, MD, director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Center at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, in the press release. From these results, providers may also have more confidence in expanding the donor pool to include unrelated matched or 1 allele-mismatched donors for patients in need.

The concomitant use of abatacept with other immunosuppressives is not recommended. Abatacept has been associated with an increased risk of infection with concomitant use with tumor necrosis factor antagonists, other biologic rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis therapy, or Janus kinase inhibitors; hypersensitivity; increased risk of serious infections; interactions with immunizations; and increased risk of adverse events (AEs) when used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The most common AEs in rheumatoid arthritis are headache, nasopharyngitis, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. Common AEs for prophylaxis of aGVHD are acute kidney injury, anemia, cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation/CMV infection, hypertension, hypermagnesemia, pneumonia, and pyrexia.

Reference

US Food and Drug Administration approves Orencia (abatacept) in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate for the prevention of acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD). Businesswire. News release. December 15, 2021. Accessed December 16, 2021. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211213006061/en

Read the original here:
FDA Approves Abatacept With Calcineurin Inhibitor for Prophylaxis of Acute Graft Versus Host Disease - Pharmacy Times

Whilst appearing on the Channel 4 show alongside Gyles, the 88-year-old actress learns a multitude of invaluable skills in the art of barging. This is made all the more impressive as she deals with crippling rheumatoid arthritis. Hiding the fact she has been suffering for fears that she might lose out on work, last year the actress finally revealed the extent of her illness.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Sheila said: Sometimes I cant move across the room.

Ive hidden the fact because of work, because I wouldnt get employed, because Im on the vulnerable list and all that.

But because its a hidden illness and a lot of people have got it Ive made a conscious decision to come clean about it.

The star was diagnosed with arthritis in 2017 after she felt agonising pain in her hand. In order to cope with initial symptoms, Sheila brought a splint, but it wasnt long before the other hand started to hurt too.

READ MORE:Bradley Walsh ticking time bomb health - star warned by doctors of 'silent killer'

Its a pain like you would not believe, she continued. One day I was reading a script and when I got up I couldnt move. My leg, my hip, my everything had gone into an appalling flare. I was trapped.

Due to her age, Sheila admitted that people often treat her with care, which used to irritate her, but now due to her arthritis, she is grateful that people remember that she is not only old, but she also aches a bit.

Speaking to The Sun more about her condition Sheila said: I have dodgy days but, on the whole, Im OK.

Worryingly however, it is not just her condition that weighs heavy on the mind of the actress, but her age in general.

DON'T MISS:

In an episode of Great Canal Journeys Sheila showed off her exercise regime to co-star Gyles, and in doing so tells him that she may only have a matter of months left to live.

"This wasn't to do with my illness, Sheila explained after the worrying confession. Although you can die of it and I do have to think about that but just at my age, youre unlikely to live many more years and that weighs heavily if, like me, youre greedy to learn new things.

In January of this year, Sheila admitted that filming The Discovery of Witches, a Sky fantasy drama, was made difficult due to a flare-up of the condition.

The NHS explains that rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. Flare-ups are common, but make everyday activities increasingly difficult as symptoms become worse.

I had been ill before filming, Sheila said. So I was very cheeky and asked if they could lace me in very tightly instead so that I could get away with no corset.

I was so thin because I was going through flare-ups of the rheumatoid arthritis. Now Im fine. I have dodgy days but, on the whole, Im OK.

"On the days when I'm feeling all right, I get out and walk around - I've been doing a lot of it in lockdown."

The NHS explains that common symptoms of the condition include the following:

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning that cells in the immune system attack cells that line your joints by mistake. Over time, this can damage the joints, cartilage and nearby bone.

The NHS explains that it is not clear what triggers this problem, although there is sufficient evidence to suggest that you are at an increased risk if you are a woman, have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or you smoke.

Currently there is no cure for arthritis, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment enables many people with the condition to have periods of months or even years between flares.

The main treatment options include the following:

Read more:
Sheila Hancock health: Actress, 88, on illness she tried to hide - 'you can die of it' - Express