Austin American-Statesman | Walking to battle arthritis Austin American-Statesman Buckner Villas, a senior living community in North Austin, recently held a community walk where residents and their families hit the track to exercise and raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. Shown here are Holly Jones, left, and Jean Jenkens ... |
Continue reading here:
Walking to battle arthritis - Austin American-Statesman
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory arthritis, affecting 1% of the general population. It is a chronic disease in which inflammation of the synovium leads to bony erosions and joint destruction. The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear, but its development likely requires a high-risk genetic background and an environmental trigger, leading to autoimmune dysregulation and an autoinflammatory response; the latter can affect not only the joints, but also other organs and systems. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis usually require treatment for the duration of their lifespan. Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis fall primarily into three general categories: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, and disease-modifying antirrheumatic drugs (DMARDs); DMARDs can be synthetic drugs or biologic agents targeting specific cytokines or other molecules involved in the regulation of the immune response (Table). DMARDs can suppress the inflammatory response, primarily by downregulating the immune system.
Patients with cancer and concomitant rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality, in part because of their therapeutic needs.[1] Immunosuppressant drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of infection in patients undergoing surgery, or in those receiving chemotherapy. In addition, there are concerns that chronic immunosuppression from these therapies could result in downregulation of immune antitumor responses. It has been proposed that the use of biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis may conceivably increase the risk of malignancy, or of tumor progression in patients with a coexisting cancer. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis already have an increased risk of certain types of cancer, specifically lymphoma and lung cancer, likely as a result of their chronic inflammatory state.[2] There is no evidence so far that rheumatoid arthritis therapies increase the risk of developing non-skin solid tumors.[3,4] There is some controversy as to whether biologic agents, specifically tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, may increase the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer, melanoma, and lymphoma; any increased risk, however, appears to be small.[3,4] Whether this class of agents may accelerate tumor progression in patients with pre-existing cancer remains debatable. While in theory this could be possible, the data are scarce, since patients with cancer are typically excluded from clinical trials of these immunosuppressive therapies, and few case series or observational studies have addressed the issue.
Cancer patients may undergo tumor resection, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or, more recently, immunotherapyall of which can make their management more challenging if they have concomitant rheumatoid arthritis. Coordination of care with a rheumatologist will be essential, especially if the patient has active rheumatoid arthritis or is receiving concomitant antirrheumatic therapy. Here we present practical approaches to the management of patients with cancer and rheumatoid arthritis at various stages of their malignancy.
A 62-year-old man develops abdominal pain and hematochezia. He undergoes colonoscopy and is found to have a nonobstructing adenocarcinoma in his ascending colon. Staging scans do not show evidence of metastatic disease. He is scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic hemicolectomy. The patient has a 15-year history of rheumatoid arthritis, currently well controlled on hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, and 7.5 mg daily of oral prednisone; he has been treated with this regimen continuously for the last 5 years. He also takes ibuprofen as needed for pain control.
The primary concerns in the management of this patients rheumatoid arthritis in the perioperative period include not only the possibility of surgical complicationssuch as increased systemic and local infections, impaired wound healing, and bleedingbut also problems that more directly involve his rheumatoid arthritis, such as the risk of postoperative arthritis flares, and difficulties in rehabilitation if his antirrheumatic therapies are discontinued.
Nonselective NSAIDs are used by many patients with rheumatoid arthritis as part of their daily drug regimen, or on an as-needed basis. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 results in decreased production of prostaglandins and thromboxane, ultimately reducing the inflammatory response and platelet aggregation. Because of their antiplatelet effect, bleeding is the most feared side effect of NSAIDs in the perioperative setting, and NSAIDS should be held for a total of 5 half-lives of the drug in question prior to surgeryand in the case of aspirin, for 7 to 10 days, since aspirin binds to COX irreversibly, inactivating platelets for the remainder of their life.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients frequently take glucocorticoids as part of their drug regimen. Chronic glucocorticoid use is associated with surgical site infections and poor wound and bone healing. It is therefore recommended that patients slowly taper their glucocorticoid dose as tolerated throughout the preoperative period. Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is common in patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy. The axis is considered to be functional if the daily dose of oral prednisone (or equivalent) is 5 mg. Patients who have been on 20 mg of prednisone daily for 3 weeks or longer may have significant adrenal suppression. Under normal circumstances, the human body produces 5 to 10 mg of cortisol daily. In the perioperative period, daily cortisol production can range from 50 to 200 mg.[5] It is therefore necessary to give supplemental corticosteroids perioperatively to avoid acute adrenal insufficiency, which can lead to hypotension and shock in patients who are likely to have adrenal suppression as a result of prolonged glucocorticoid therapy.
Although data on hydroxychloroquine use in the perioperative period are limited, a retrospective study of 367 orthopedic surgeries in 204 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found no increased risk of systemic or surgical site infections in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine.[6] This was corroborated in a subsequent study.[7] Due to its low toxicity profile, hydroxychloroquine can be continued throughout the perioperative period.
A number of studies have examined the safety of methotrexate in the postoperative period. A clinical trial evaluated 388 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were randomized to continuation of methotrexate or to discontinuation from 2 weeks prior to 2 weeks following surgery.[8] The results did not show an increased infection rate in patients who continued methotrexate. Another study retrospectively evaluated 121 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone total joint arthroplasty; the investigators found no significant differences in postoperative infections or wound healing complications between those who continued on methotrexate and those who did not.[9] Although the evidence would suggest that methotrexate is safe in the perioperative period, most studies included patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, and the results may not be representative of all surgical procedures. Discontinuing methotrexate for just 1 week prior to surgery and 1 week after surgery can minimize the risk of rheumatoid arthritis flares, and seems a reasonable approach in the face of uncertainty for nonorthopedic surgery outcomes.
Data for other DMARDs are scarce. One study showed a decrease in surgical site infections in patients who were taking sulfasalazine throughout the postoperative period.[10] Other researchers have suggested that sulfasalazine be held on the day of surgery because the glomerular filtration rate can decrease during surgery and this drug is primarily excreted by the kidneys.[11] There are limited data regarding the perioperative use of leflunomide, but a study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent total hip replacement showed no difference with respect to wound healing and infection rate between those who continued leflunomide and those in whom it was held.[12]
There are few data on the use of most biologic agents and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in patients with active cancer, because of concerns of possible suppression of tumor immunity. It is generally recommended that these agents be discontinued in patients with a recent diagnosis of cancer, so most patients will have stopped biologics before surgery.
A 44-year-old woman with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, on triple-DMARD therapy (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine), presents with a 1.5-cm nodule on her right breast, and no suspicious regional lymph nodes. Biopsy confirms an estrogen receptorpositive, progesterone receptorpositive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2negative ductal carcinoma. Her rheumatoid arthritis medications are stopped. The patient would like to undergo lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy but is concerned about the possible adverse effects of radiotherapy in women with rheumatoid arthritis.
A few studies have evaluated the risk of radiation therapy in patients with cancer and connective tissue diseases, especially scleroderma and lupus erythematosus. The evidence is limited; still, while some studies show an increase in the incidence of early and late adverse events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, this risk appears to be small, and the majority of patients do not have any major complications.[13-15]
The patient decides to undergo lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy, and she experiences no complications. She declines adjuvant chemotherapy and starts treatment with oral tamoxifen, returning to her full-time job. Two months later, she develops severe polyarthritis of her hands, elbows, and knees, which has a major impact on her quality of life. She starts treatment with oral prednisone. Six weeks later she starts triple-DMARD therapy, which had been an effective treatment before her cancer diagnosis. After 4 months, she shows no improvement and is obliged to take a temporary leave from her job; she would like to discuss an alternative therapy for her rheumatoid arthritis.
Decision making about antirrheumatic therapy in patients with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis and cancer requires careful risk stratification with respect to the cancer type, its stage, and its prognosis[1]; patient preferences with regard to risk and outcome uncertainty must also be considered. In this situation, had this patient not had a recent diagnosis of cancer, it would be appropriate to consider a biologic therapy for her rheumatoid arthritis, according to recommendations from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).[16] However, this woman is young and has a recent cancer diagnosis with an excellent prognosis; thus, it would be desirable to choose an agent with a low likelihood of affecting tumor immunity. This is particularly important because the patient declined adjuvant chemotherapy, which can be effective in eliminating micrometastases.
Most commonly, patients with rheumatoid arthritis in whom traditional DMARD therapy fails are treated with TNF inhibitors. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the safety of these agents in patients with cancer, primarily because they are typically excluded from clinical trials. Two observational studies assessed the risk of cancer recurrence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with TNF inhibitors compared with traditional DMARDs and found no differences in recurrence rates; however, the numbers were small, and these studies did not include any patients who were within 5 years of their cancer diagnosis.[17,18] Another case series reported that 8 of the included patients received TNF inhibitors within 5 years of cancer diagnosis, with no recurrences.[19] A recent larger observational study showed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who started therapy with TNF inhibitors after a diagnosis of breast cancer were not at increased risk for recurrence, but the median time from diagnosis to therapy initiation was 9 years (more than 5 years for 85% of the patients).[20] These results are reassuring in that in selected patients with a history of treated cancer and no recurrence, TNF inhibitors appear to be safe when used several years after completion of therapy. However, for patients with a more recent cancer diagnosis, uncertainty remains.
Several factors should be taken into consideration when making decisions about rheumatoid arthritis therapy in patients with a history of cancer. The baseline risk of recurrence varies depending on how aggressive the original cancer was. Moreover, although the risk of recurrence decreases over time, for some cancer types, such as breast cancer, there is a risk even decades later. No study has examined the likelihood of cancer recurrence for specific rheumatoid arthritis therapies. However, most of the concerns have centered on TNF inhibitors, primarily because of their mode of action and limited evidence showing an increase in the risk of lymphoma, melanoma, and nonmelanoma skin cancers with these agents.
Because this patient has failed to respond to therapy with combination DMARDs, it is appropriate to initiate treatment with a biologic agent, but TNF inhibitors would not be the best choice. An appropriate alternative would be rituximab, which is an effective therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, and which has been used for many years in the treatment of lymphoma, with no evidence of increased recurrence in patients with prior solid tumors. Other biologic agents and JAK inhibitors have not been sufficiently evaluated in this setting to offer a recommendation.
Here is the original post:
Management Considerations in Cancer Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis - Cancer Network
More than 50 million Americans, including an estimated 300,000 children, live with arthritis the nations leading cause of disability, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
And in response to that, the Cleveland Clinic and the Arthritis Foundation held an Arthritis Expo on May 17 at the LaCentre Conference & Banquet Facility, 25777 Detroit Road in Westlake.
Arthritis is a general term for a group of more than 100 diseases. The word arthritis means joint inflammation, and types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
The expo was to help educate the public on how to live with arthritis, according to Bill Riter, a volunteer with the Foundation.
Advertisement
We bring in doctors who are associated with diet, exercise, operation, joint replacement and they give talks about how to treat arthritis, how to get replacements and exercise to help with arthritis, Riter said.
The Expo started off by allowing residents to visit exhibits that had been set up.
Exhibitors included Alzheimers Association, Arthritis Foundation, Bath Fitter, Cleveland Clinic, Greater Cleveland Volunteers, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Kitchen Saver, Info Line, Inc, Life Care Center, Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, ONeil Healthcare, Parkside Villa, Pleasant Lake Villa, Sprenger Health Care, St. Mary of the Woods and Western Reserve Area on Aging.
Citizens then were able to hear from doctors about diet, joint replacement myths and medications.
There are foods that are good to reduce inflammation, but there also are foods that can trigger inflammation, Cleveland Clinic Dietician Kate Patton said.
Understanding the different food groups, knowing whats bad and good foods can help people who have arthritis, she said.
Riter agreed that diet and exercise are key to helping with the disease.
I have arthritis and I had a hip and knee replacement and with good eating habits and exercise I have been able to take care of myself and my wife, he said. Its possible to live a normal life with arthritis, its really about taking care of yourself. If you dont take care of yourself, your doing more harm to yourself in the long run.
Attendees also were able to see a chair exercise demonstration.
We really want to educate people on how to treat arthritis, Riter said.
For more information on arthritis, go to http://www.Arthritis.com.
Read the rest here:
Arthritis Expo in Westlake showcases how to live life to the fullest with arthritis - The Morning Journal
Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the US. Joint diseases affect more than 53 million men and women and the number is expected to grow in the coming years. To raise awareness and better understand its impact, the Arthritis Foundation, together with the CDC have declared May to be the National Arthritis Awareness Month.
What Exactly Is Arthritis?
Arthritis functions as an umbrella term for over 100 conditions that affect the joints. Many of its forms are unpredictable, with symptoms that can subside or worsen in a matter of days and even hours. Common joint diseases cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a decreased range of motion. Symptoms range from mild to severe.
The more severe forms of arthritis can cause permanent changes to the joints, some visible, some only detected by X-rays. Simple movements like climbing stairs or even walking can turn into insurmountable challenges because of the chronic pain. A few forms of the disease can also impact organs, such as the lungs, eyes, skin, kidneys and the heart.
Some of the most common types are inflammatory arthritis - in which the body's immune system attacks the joints - osteoarthritis - when cartilage wears off the bones - infectious arthritis - caused by a fungus, virus or bacterium - and the metabolic kind - caused by uric acid build-up.
What Are The Warning Signs?
Joint pain. Knee pain can also be a signal. It can manifest itself when you're climbing up a set of stairs or when simply bending and straightening the knee. The pain tends to be sharp. Other areas that can be affected early on are the ankles, thumbs, back, hips and hands.
Stiffness. Having difficulties with simple movements after being awake for more than 30 minutes. If the stiffness doesn't go away quickly after waking up and stretching, or if it returns later on, after being physically inactive, you should make a doctor's appointment.
Issues with using your hands. Having problems with fine-motor skills can indicate the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. If you suddenly encounter difficulties with tying your shoelaces, buttoning up, using cutlery or similar activities, a trip to your physician might be in order.
Mild fever. Other symptoms that point to rheumatoid arthritis are those that come disguised as a type of flu. Mild fever, exhaustion, anemia and loss of weight that are still affecting the body for much longer than the flu would, can also come with joint pain and stiffness.
Who Gets Affected?
Arthritis in its many forms doesn't discriminate. Women and the elderly are more prone to suffer from it but they are not the only ones. Roughly 300 thousand children and teenagers in the US are affected by some type of joint disease. The number of adults is expected to reach 67 million by the year 2030.
Texas Spine & Joint Hospital has over 40 specialist physicians who treat various forms of arthritis. Dont allow an arthritic condition to keep you from working and doing the things you enjoy. Schedule an appointment today to learn about treatment options for your arthritis symptoms by calling 903-758-8754.
See the rest here:
May Is Arthritis Awareness Month - Longview News-Journal
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 83-year-old man in reasonably good health. About six months ago, I started hearing a cracking noise when I turned my head sideways or up and down. Sometimes it would happen every 15 seconds. No one can hear it but me, which is why I haven't gone to my family doctor. I also have had some light headaches. R.P.
Dear R.P.: The cracking noise could be coming from one of the joints in your neck. Most people at age 83 have some degree of arthritis in the neck, and I think that's the most likely cause.
Sometimes there can be a snapping noise or sensation as tendons move over a bony prominence. Other times, there can be a cracking noise, such as cracking knuckles, for the same reason, with nitrogen bubbles forming in the joint with pressure changes. But a crunching or cracking noise most often comes from the joint itself, and often represents some degree of arthritis. If it's not bothering you, nothing need be done. A set of X-rays could confirm and determine the severity of arthritis.
The headaches may have nothing to do with the sound, but there are headaches that can be triggered from neck arthritis.
DEAR DR. ROACH: If a person has lower than optimally functioning kidneys, and protein is hard for kidneys to process, is it easier for kidneys to process plant protein or animal protein? S.H.
Dear S.H.: Plant protein definitely is better for the kidneys. Switching from a meat-based diet to a plant-based diet has been shown to slow the progression of kidney disease from many different causes. A plant-based diet has probable benefits in terms of heart disease as well, compared with a diet high in animal protein, especially red meat.
Reducing animal protein is only part of what needs to be done for kidney disease. Depending on how advanced the kidney disease is, some people need to reduce the amount of potassium they take in. It also may be appropriate to look carefully at medication doses, which often need adjusting in people with kidney disease.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 85-year-old man who has been bothered with trigger finger for a number of years. My doctor says I'm in good health for my age. Several years ago, a doctor said he could give a cortisone injection but would not guarantee it to work over a long period. I had three, and they did not work. What are my options now? B.K.
Dear B.K.: A trigger finger is a condition where a finger (or the thumb, which is considered a finger) gets stuck in the bent position, requiring it to be pulled back into place again. It is caused by one of the tendons getting caught in a pulley system inside the finger. Treatment usually includes modification of activity, short-term splinting and anti-inflammatory drugs, or cortisone injection if that doesn't work. Only people who have failed to get relief from injections should be considered for surgery. That's the choice you have to make now. The surgery is very effective (about 94 percent success rate), and most people are back to near-normal activities in a week or two.
Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
Go here to see the original:
Creaks and cracks in neck may be due to arthritis - News - Sarasota ... - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The question now is whether Cosentyx can continue this momentum once new IL-17's such as Lilly's Taltz receive marketing authorization. More than one-third of rheumatologists claim to have clinical experience with Taltz in PsA (similar to Cosentyx pre-approval exposure) and a fair percentage of the audited patients are identified by their rheumatologist as Taltz candidates. With the introduction of new IL-17's, watching the evolving dermatology referral patterns for PsA patients will be critical. 72% of the rheumatologists state that they wish dermatologists would refer PsA patients earlier than they typically do; furthermore, when patients currently treated with a biologic or Otezla are referred, the majority are switched by rheumatologists within three months.
Although Celgene recently reported a revenue miss in Q1 2017 for Otezla, the audit revealed a solid position for the brand. While the switch-from rates did increase from the prior wave, Otezla also gained, particularly in the first-switch scenario where safety concerns associated with a biologic and patient preference for an oral agent drove the switch. Should Pfizer's Xeljanz gain approval for PsA, Otezla will have a new battle to fight with regard to patient demand for an oral. Indeed, rheumatologists indicated that 31% of the patients currently on Otezla would be considered candidates for Xeljanz if approved.
RealWorld Dynamix is an independent report derived from a robust patient audit focused on the switch patient segment. Unlike claims data, the analysis includes physician assessment, rationale for treatment decisions and future intent related to biologic/Otezla selection. In addition, key variables such as patient engagement level, the influence of the payer, socioeconomic and QOL metrics, co-morbidities, concomitant medications and test results are also included to provide a comprehensive analysis of the patient journey. In total, the combined analysis includes over 1,000 patient records. The full report will be available at the end of May.
Spherix Global Insights is a business intelligence and market research company, specializing in renal, autoimmune, neurologic and rare disease markets. Our aim is to apply our commercial experience and unique relationships within core specialty markets to translate data into insight, enabling our clients to make smarter business decisions.
For more information contact: Lynn Price, Immunology Franchise Head Email: info@spherixglobalinsights.com http://www.spherixglobalinsights.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novartis-cosentyx-takes-the-wind-out-of-stelaras-sails-in-psoriatic-arthritis-market-300458754.html
SOURCE Spherix Global Insights
Here is the original post:
Novartis' Cosentyx Takes the Wind Out of Stelara's Sails in Psoriatic Arthritis Market - PR Newswire (press release)
GETTY
The most common form of arthritis in the knee is osteoarthritis, a degenerative wear and tear type that tends to affect those over 50.
According to Arthritis Research UK, there are 4.11 million people in England with osteoarthritis of the knee.
However, a new study by the University of Aberdeen may have found a way to repair affected knee joints using stem cells.
The researchers have identified how they can be used to reform and repair cartilage.
GETTY
In the research published in the journal Nature Communications, they discovered a protein - called Yap - that appears to regulate the key stem cells which can help repair cartilage.
Cartilage is a structural component of the body which acts as rubber-like padding to protect the ends of bones.
To keep the cartilage lubricated in order to reduce friction, the membrane releases the synovial fluid.
However, conditions such as arthritis cause the normally thin membranes to become inflamed and thicken, creating more fluid, triggering pain and swelling and leading to catalogue damage.
In the research published in the journal Nature Communications, they discovered a protein - called Yap - that appears to regulate the key stem cells which can help repair cartilage.
Getty
1 of 12
GETTY
They found that when a joint is injured, and the synovial membrane enlarged, theres a high presence of Yap in the stem cells.
When Yap was removed from stem cells, the synovial membrane in an injured joint did not expand, and additionally, cells without Yap had a reduced ability to contribute to cartilage repair.
Interestingly, the particular stem cells they looked at derived from the same cells which produce our original knee joints when we are embryos.
Professor Cosimo De Bari, director of the University of Aberdeens Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, said: This is important research as we have identified the particular type of stem cells which appear to be important for repairing joints. We have also identified a key protein that regulates these stem cells.
GETTY
By identifying and understanding these stem cells more fully, it puts us in a better position down the line to be able to target them with drugs or other treatments.
Ideally we want to be able to get to a stage where we can give ageing cells that are losing their function a boost.
Early diagnosis can reduce symptoms and make arthritis easier to treat.
De Bari added: We want to prevent joint damage and arthritis or treat arthritis at an early stage.
Once the damage is done, it is difficult to do anything the challenge is to see if we can support the stem cells present in the joint to make sure they maintain their functionality.
See the article here:
Arthritis cure? New procedure could REPAIR knee joints - Express.co.uk
GETTY
Research suggests simple changes like moving more and eating the right food could be the key to tackling the painful condition that affects 10 million UK adults.
Some 8.5 million sufferers have the most common form osteoarthritis which is caused by wear and tear on joints.
For decades it was thought to simply be part of growing old but now research suggests cases of arthritis could be rocketing because of chronically unhealthy lifestyles.
Ali Mobasheri, Professor of Musculoskeletal Physiology at the University of Surrey, said: Chronic diseases all have an inflammatory component and this seems to be driven by our sedentary lifestyles. We are moving less and our diets have changed we are basically sitting on multiple health time bombs. Arthritis can be accelerated if people are obese because it has a hugely negative impact on joints. The answer is to eat well, control weight and move more.
Joints need regular movement to work properly.
Arthritis causes stiffness, swelling, and tenderness when joints are moved generally in the knees, hips and hands.
It typically affects people over the age of 40 and was previously thought to be due to muscles weakening and the body being less able to heal itself, or the joints slowly wearing out over time.
Joints need regular movement to work properly
Professor Ali Mobasheri
But the major review found the onset of the incurable condition is not inevitable.
The search for new ways of treating debilitating complaints comes after research showed nearly half of all British adults now live with chronic back pain or arthritis.
Up to 28 million people, or 43 per cent of all adults, have been in pain for more than three months with the problem set to worsen as the population lives longer, according to a review of 19 previous studies involving 140,000 people.
Getty
1 of 12
Just one in seven adults under 25 reported chronic pain compared with almost two-thirds of people over the age of 75.
Problems like lower back pain or osteoarthritis affect 35 to 51 per cent of adults, with women most likely to suffer.
Prof Mobasheris research, published in journal Nature Reviews Rheumatology, is a damning indictment of 21st century living where shocking levels of inactivity and diets loaded with sugars are believed to be the major culprits.
Crucially, his research identified a link between metabolism and osteoarthritis.
GETTY
Studies show weight gain can increase inflammation and exacerbate arthritis.
Metabolic changes, caused by a poor diet and sedentary lifestyles, reduce the bodys ability to use energy sources efficiently, forcing it to generate alternative sources.
The stress this places on cells leads to an overproduction of metabolic and inflammatory substances, which is difficult for the body to flush out.
Abnormal levels in the body leads to inflammation of the joints cartilage which impedes on movement and causes pain.
Prof Mobasheri, presidentelect of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International, said: For too long osteoarthritis has been known as the wear and tear disease and it has been assumed that it is part and parcel of getting older. However, this is not the case and what we have learnt is that we can control and prevent the onset of this painful condition.
It is important never to underestimate the significance of a healthy diet and lifestyle as not only does it impact upon our general wellbeing but can alter the metabolic behaviour of our cells, tissues and organs leading to serious illnesses. The best advice is to control weight and avoid eating excess sugar.
GETTY
Experts recommend we take at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week and eat five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
Dr Natalie Carter, of Arthritis Research UK, said: We agree that arthritis isnt a wear and tear condition but can be managed by a healthy lifestyle, supported by a good diet and regular exercise.
Being overweight can put more strain on the joints, increasing the likelihood of developing arthritis. We are continuing to invest in research that looks at how diet, exercise and a range of other factors can help to prevent and limit the pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Read the original:
Simple way to beat of arthritis: Balanced diet and exercise can help fight misery diseases - Express.co.uk
Lace up your shoes and join hundreds of others next Friday night for the Arthritis Foundation's big event event to raise funds to find a cure for what can be a very debilitating disease.
KSDK 8:58 AM. CDT May 15, 2017
Lace up your shoes and join hundreds of others next Friday night for the Arthritis Foundation's big event event to raise funds to find a cure for what can be a very debilitating disease.
Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in United States. Over 1.3 million people in Missouri along have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
The Walk to Cure Arthritis raises money to find a cure and support the fight against arthritis. The Walk is happening Friday, May 19 at Logan University in Chesterfield from 6:30 to9 p.m.
More than 600 residents participate in the one or three mile walk. This family and pet-friendly event has food, drinks and entertainment for all ages. Visit http://www.walktocurearthritis.org/stlouis for more information.
2017 KSDK-TV
Read the original:
St. Louis Walk to Cure Arthritis coming up | KSDK.com - KSDK
Keith Roach, To Your Health 5:06 p.m. ET May 15, 2017
Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 83-year-old man in reasonably good health. About six months ago, I started hearing a cracking noise when I turned my head sideways or up and down. Sometimes it would happen every 15 seconds. No one can hear it but me, which is why I havent gone to my family doctor. I also have had some light headaches.
R.P.
Dear R.P.: The cracking noise could be coming from one of the joints in your neck. Most people at age 83 have some degree of arthritis in the neck, and I think thats the most likely cause.
Sometimes there can be a snapping noise or sensation as tendons move over a bony prominence. Other times, there can be a cracking noise, such as cracking knuckles, for the same reason, with nitrogen bubbles forming in the joint with pressure changes. But a crunching or cracking noise most often comes from the joint itself, and often represents some degree of arthritis. If its not bothering you, nothing need be done. A set of X-rays could confirm and determine the severity of arthritis.
The headaches may have nothing to do with the sound, but there are headaches that can be triggered from neck arthritis.
Dear Dr. Roach: If a person has lower than optimally functioning kidneys, and protein is hard for kidneys to process, is it easier for kidneys to process plant protein or animal protein?
S.H.
Dear S.H.: Plant protein definitely is better for the kidneys. Switching from a meat-based diet to a plant-based diet has been shown to slow the progression of kidney disease from many different causes. A plant-based diet has probable benefits in terms of heart disease as well, compared with a diet high in animal protein, especially red meat.
Reducing animal protein is only part of what needs to be done for kidney disease. Depending on how advanced the kidney disease is, some people need to reduce the amount of potassium they take in. It also may be appropriate to look carefully at medication doses, which often need adjusting in people with kidney disease.
Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 85-year-old man who has been bothered with trigger finger for a number of years. My doctor says Im in good health for my age. Several years ago, a doctor said he could give a cortisone injection but would not guarantee it to work over a long period. I had three, and they did not work. What are my options now?
B.K.
Dear B.K.: A trigger finger is a condition where a finger (or the thumb, which is considered a finger) gets stuck in the bent position, requiring it to be pulled back into place again. It is caused by one of the tendons getting caught in a pulley system inside the finger. Treatment usually includes modification of activity, short-term splinting and anti-inflammatory drugs, or cortisone injection if that doesnt work. Only people who have failed to get relief from injections should be considered for surgery. Thats the choice you have to make now. The surgery is very effective (about 94 percent success rate), and most people are back to near-normal activities in a week or two.
Email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
Read or Share this story: http://detne.ws/2qlbpz9
See the original post:
Doc: Creaks and cracks in neck may be due to arthritis - The Detroit News
Often the first step in diagnosing arthritis is recognising the signs at home. If you see any of the subtle signs, its a good idea to have your cat examined by your vet. They may be able to detect swelling, pain and inflammation or take a radiograph to confirm any suspicions.
The good news for cats and their owners is that arthritis can be managed successfully with appropriate treatment and simple changes to your cats environment.
Medication for arthritis can help reduce pain and inflammation to improve your cats quality of life, though it will not cure arthritis. In many cases, animals affected by arthritis will need to be on medication for the rest of their lives.
The most commonly used drugs for managing arthritic pain are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs can be very effective at controlling the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, but pet owners must take proper care when administering them and they should always be used under direct veterinary supervision to avoid the risk of side effects.
Usually, a combination of medication and complementary approaches, including diet and weight management and physiotherapy is used to treat arthritis.
Every cat requires a specific treatment plan. Your veterinarian will be in the best position to discuss a tailored treatment plan for your cat.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Disease ModifyingAgents, Nutraceuticals
Weight reduction, diet management
Physiotherapy, gentle exercise, massage, Hydrotherapy, Heat and cold therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the cornerstone of arthritic pain management
View original post here:
Cats with Arthritis -Cats with Arthritis
(Reuters Health) - Osteoarthritis, a painful condition in which the tissue between bones wears down, frequently affects people in old age and a new study finds that as many as 4 in 10 people may develop the condition in their hands.
Among women, researchers found the lifetime risk was 47 percent while for men it was about 25 percent. Obese people also had 11 percent higher lifetime risk than those who were not obese.
Hand osteoarthritis can cause disability and problems with daily living, but is not often a subject of research, the study team writes in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology.
Past research shows the lifetime risk for arthritis of the knee to be 45 percent and 25 percent for the hip, they write.
These findings indicate that symptomatic hand osteoarthritis is very common, and affects a substantial proportion of the population in their lifetimes, lead author Jin Qin told Reuters Health by email.
Given the aging population and increasing life expectancy in the United States, it is reasonable to expect that more Americans will be affected by this painful and debilitating condition in the years to come, said Qin, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
The researchers analyzed data from a North Carolina-based study of more than 2,000 people over age 45. The study collected data between 1999 and 2010, using self-reports of arthritis symptoms and X-ray images of the participants hands.
Based on this group, researchers estimated the proportion of people who will develop osteoarthritis in at least one hand by age 85 to be 39.8 percent.
Whites were at greater risk, at 41 percent, for hand osteoarthritis than blacks, with 29 percent. Obese people had a lifetime risk of 47 percent, compared to 36 percent among the non-obese.
Some people with hand osteoarthritis have minimal or no symptoms. But for many, symptomatic hand osteoarthritis greatly affects their everyday lives, with few options for improving their symptoms, Dr. Fiona Watt, a research lecturer and honorary consultant rheumatologist at the University of Oxford in the UK, said by email.
The pain can vary and tends to be worse the more people use their hands, flaring up during daily activity like carrying heavy shopping bags or typing on keyboards or phones, said Watt, who was not involved in the study.
Our hands are so important, and we need to look after them, Watt said, adding that doing aerobic exercise and watching our weight can help protect against all types of osteoarthritis.
We know that injury can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, Watt said. Although we cant always prevent hand injuries, wearing supporting and protective gloves in occupations with heavy use of the hand is important.
Preventing injuries and maintaining a healthy weight may lower the risk of osteoarthritis, Qin said. Earlier diagnosis allows earlier use of interventions (e.g. physical/occupational therapy), that may help manage symptoms, maintain better function, and improve quality of life, she said.
SOURCE: bit.ly/2qVwAsy Arthritis and Rheumatology, online May 8, 2017.
LONDON A trial of AstraZeneca's key immunotherapy drug durvalumab showed it reduced disease progression in lung cancer patients, sending the company's shares higher and giving it a lead over rivals as it seeks to transform its oncology business.
KINSHASA At least one person has died from the Ebola virus in Democratic Republic of Congo, the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, signaling a new outbreak of the disease which killed thousands in West Africa.
(Reuters Health) - Surgery wont cure chronic knee pain, locking, clicking, a torn meniscus, or other problems related to knee arthritis, according to a panel of international experts.
More:
Lifetime risk of hand arthritis may be over 40 percent | Reuters - Reuters
On "Fox & Friends" today, we heard the story of a mother who went beyond modern medicine to help cure her young son of a painful arthritic condition.
Susannah Meadows lays out the details of her son's case, and others, in her book, "The Other Side of Impossible." She told Ainsley Earhardt and Janice Dean, who lives with multiple-sclerosis, how her son was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age three.
The condition causes painful swelling in the joints and can lead to disability. The medication he was prescribed did little to help the arthritis and made him feel sick.
"As I watched him lie on the couch, I could not accept that that was going to be his life," she said.
Meadows then pursued a non-traditional course of treatment, approved by her son's doctor. The idea came from another mother who said her son's arthritis improved with doses of probiotics and fish oil and by removing gluten and dairy from his diet.
Meadows said her son, now 9, is totally healthy and does not need medication anymore.
Watch the interview above and learn more about the book, here.
New Poll Finds Approval for GOP Health Care Bill at 21 Percent
'Call It By Name': Pence Says ISIS Guilty of 'Genocide' Against Christians
Whoopi Goldberg on Trump Firing Comey: 'Feels Like a Coup'
Excerpt from:
Author-Mom Goes Beyond Modern Medicine to Cure Son's Arthritis - Fox News Insider
Japanese drugmaker Seikagaku has taken a step towards lining up a big pharma partner for its phase 3 osteoarthritis drug SI-613, with Ono taking an option on the drug.
SI-613 draws on Seikagaku's long-standing experience with hyaluronic acid, which is widely used in preparations used to treat osteoarthritis and is thought to improve the functioning of joints. The company's scientists have bound hyaluronic acid to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) using a proprietary linker technology to add long-lasting pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties to the molecule.
Importantly, the drug keeps the NSAID localized within the joint, with little escaping into the circulation to cause systemic side effects such as gastric irritation, according to its developer.
Seikagaku has already completed phase 2 trials of the drug in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, showing a significant improvement in symptoms following direct injection into the affected joint. The phase 3 trial is enrolling patients with arthritis of the hip, ankle, elbowand shoulder as well.
Describing the current deal as a "basic agreement", the two companies saidthey are now in discussions about firming up the terms into a definitive licensing deal.
The prospect of signing up larger pharma group Ono is a boost for Seikagaku, which started pivotal trials of the drug in Japan earlier this year but has made no secret of its ambition to bring it forward onto the global stage. That would prove tough for the small drugmaker without the help of a larger partner.
If the phase 3 trial proves the worth of SI-613, the drug could emerge as a new treatment option in the osteoarthritis market, which is valued at around $3.5 billion a year in the seven countries with the largest pharma markets, according to GlobalData.
Why so little? Despite millions of sufferers around the worldaround 9 million in Japan aloneosteoarthritis treatment still largely relies on cheap generic drugs that have been around for decades. SI-613 could provide a shakeup in the market, although the need for injections into the joints may reduce its use in patients with less severe symptoms who may prefer to take tablets.
In the meantime, after years of stagnation there are some emerging biologic drugs for osteoarthritis that for the first time promise to affect the underlying disease process, rather than simply alleviating symptoms.
One of these is TissueGene's Invossa, a cell-based disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug that requires a single injection into the affected joint and has been filed for approval in South Korea by licensee Kolon Life Sciences. It is currently in phase 3 trials in the U.S., and was recently licensed in Japan to Mitsubishi Tanabe in a $434 million deal last November.
GlobalData also tips Nordic Bioscience/Merck KGaA's sprifermin as another candidate to watch. The drug, a recombinant form of fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18), is in phase 2 testing for osteoarthritis and is thought to stimulate joint repair.
Continue reading here:
Ono takes a long look at Seikagaku arthritis candidate | FierceBiotech - FierceBiotech
Grating, cracking or popping sounds around joints may predict future arthritis, especially in the knees, according to a recent U.S. study.
Among thousands of people with no knee pain who were followed for three years, one quarter had noisy knees yet they made up three quarters of the cases of symptomatic knee arthritis that emerged by the end of the study period, researchers found.
"Many people who have signs of osteoarthritis on X-rays do not necessarily complain about pain. Presently, there are no known strategies for preventing the development of pain in this group," said lead study author Grace Lo of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Especially when people have joint space loss or other arthritis-related changes visible on X-rays, their also having noisy knees can be considered a sign of higher risk for developing pain within the next year, she said.
HOSPITAL HEROES: KNITTERS MAKE THOUSANDS OF HATS FOR CHEMO PATIENTS
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 30 million adults in the United States, Lo and colleagues write in Arthritis Care and Research. Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, which means X-ray evidence of arthritis plus pain or stiffness, affects about 16 percent of adults older than 60, they note.
Lo and colleagues analyzed data from 3,495 participants ranging in age from about 50 to 70 in a long-term study conducted in hospitals in Rhode Island, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. None had symptomatic knee arthritis at the start.
The researchers looked at how often people experienced knee pain, stiffness and "crepitus," or noises and scraping feelings in their knees.
During clinic visits, people were asked questions like, "Do you feel grinding, hear clicking or any other type of noise when your right knee moves?" and "During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching or stiffness in or around your right knee on most days for at least one month?" The patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and again at 12, 24 and 36 months. X-rays were also taken once a year.
At the start, 65 percent of participants said they had no crepitus, 11 percent experienced it "rarely," 15 percent had it "sometimes" and 9 percent had it "often" or "always."
Overall, 635 participants, 18 percent, developed symptomatic arthritis of the knee during the study period.
LOOKING FOR A SPERM DONOR? SWIPE RIGHT
Even after adjusting for weight and other factors, researchers found that odds of developing symptomatic arthritis rose along with the frequency of crepitus. Those who reported it "rarely" had 50 percent higher risk than those who never had it, and those with crepitus "sometimes" or "often" had about double the odds.
People with crepitus "always" were three times more likely to develop arthritis over four years than those who never had it.
Older age and having crepitus also increased the likelihood of developing arthritis, and men with crepitus were more likely than women with noisy knees to go on to develop arthritis.
"Differences across genders is interesting and unexplained. This may tell us about differences in symptom reporting or the biology of osteoarthritis," said Daniel Solomon, the chair of arthritis and population health at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
"Knowing how to predict who will develop symptomatic osteoarthritis may give patients and providers clues to who should receive earlier treatment or even prevention," Solomon, who wasn't involved in the study, told Reuters Health by email.
"It would be helpful to look at the MRIs of the people who had X-ray evidence, no pain and always had crepitus to understand what is happening in their knees," Lo said. "This could help identify ways to decrease the risk for developing knee pain."
Since MRI scans are more sensitive than X-rays, Lo added, researchers for future studies may be able to see osteophyte formations or other symptoms around the knee that they can't usually see.
"Not all noises coming from a knee are a bad sign," she said. "It might be helpful to ask your doctor for an X-ray to see if you have evidence of osteoarthritis and then take precautions from there."
Read more:
Cracking, popping joints may foretell arthritis - Fox News
Arthritis of the knee is very common, and isn't helped by arthroscopic surgery, a study finds. BSIP/UIG via Getty Images hide caption
An international panel of surgeons and patients has challenged the effectiveness of one of the most common orthopedic procedures and recommended strongly against the use of arthroscopic surgery for patients with degenerative knee problems.
The guidelines, published Wednesday in the journal BMJ, reviewed 13 studies involving nearly 1,700 patients and found the surgery did not provide lasting pain relief or improve function for most of them. Those studies compared the surgery with a variety of options, including physical therapy, exercise and even placebo surgery.
Fewer than 15 percent of patients felt an improvement in pain and function three months after the procedure, and that those effects disappeared after one year, the review found. In addition, the surgery exposed patients to "rare but important harms," such as infection.
Casey Quinlan, 64, who had the surgery in 2003 and was on the panel issuing the guidelines, said her orthopedist told her the procedure would not only help restore mobility in her knee after a nasty ski accident but also improve her arthritis.
Quinlan, of Richmond, Va., said the procedure did not deliver, since her arthritis remained unchanged. "It was not what I was told to expect," she says.
In an arthroscopic knee surgery, physicians make several small incisions around the joint and insert a tiny camera that allows them to see inside the knee as well as insert small instruments to correct problems they identify. Often the surgery is performed to remove part of a damaged meniscus, a disc of cartilage that helps cushion the knee.
The panel said meniscal tears "are common, usually incidental findings, and unlikely to be the cause of knee pain, aching or stiffness."
The panel said the surgery is performed more than 2 million times a year across the globe, and in the United States alone costs more than $3 billion annually.
The panel's recommendations are counter to guidelines from a number of medical groups. Most of those organizations have recommendations against arthroscopy for patients solely with arthritis that can be seen through an X-ray. But many still promote the procedure for people with ailments such as meniscal tears, which are frequently present in arthritic patients.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons does not recommend the treatment for patients with arthritis, said David Jevsevar, chairman of orthopedics at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine and chair of the AAOS Council on Research and Quality. He said the BMJ assessment is in line with current evidence, but he also cautioned that generalizing a variety of randomized trials does not necessarily take into account the circumstances of individual patients.
"Guidelines don't apply to every patient," Jevsevar says. "There's always going to be an exception."
Reed Siemieniuk, a physician in Ontario, Canada, and the lead author of the panel's statement, said he understands the frustration some people may have about the guideline especially those who have seen an improvement with surgery.
The strongest evidence of a procedure's benefit is a randomized controlled trial, Siemieniuk notes, "Despite those personal experiences that say it might be doing good, the evidence suggests that it might not be doing any good."
Siemieniuk said that the panel's reading of the studies suggests that "on average, the pain relief that you're getting is not going to be important to you at all."
The BMJ assessment is the latest in a string of studies that have raised concerns about the surgery. The journal also published a study in 2015 by researchers in Denmark showing that arthroscopic repair of the meniscus for middle-aged people was not much better than exercise in relieving pain and carried a risk of rare but debilitating side effects.
The surgery was questioned in 2002 after researchers reported in The New England Journal of Medicine that in a randomized trial of older veterans with osteoarthritis in their knees, arthroscopic surgery was no more effective in treating pain than a placebo surgery in which patients had incisions made but no instruments were inserted into the knee. At least three other studies in that journal since then have also found arthroscopy is not better than sham surgery or physical therapy in relieving arthritis pain in the knees of older adults.
Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan health policy research and communication organization.
Read this article:
Arthroscopic Surgery Doesn't Help With Arthritis Knee Pain - NPR
"Keyhole" arthroscopic surgery should rarely be used to repair arthritic knee joints, a panel of international experts says in new clinical guidelines.
Clinical trials have shown that keyhole surgery doesn't help people suffering from arthritis of the knees any more than mild painkillers, physical therapy or weight loss, said lead author Dr. Reed Siemieniuk. He is a health researcher with McMaster University in Toronto, Canada.
"You can make a pretty strong statement saying that from a long-term perspective, it really doesn't help at all," Siemieniuk said. "If they knew all the evidence, almost nobody would choose to have this surgery."
Play Video
More than 300,000 Americans get hip replacement surgery each year. A growing number of patients can be in and out of the hospital faster than eve...
Keyhole surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world, with more than 2 million performed each year, Siemieniuk said. The United States alone spends about $3 billion a year on the procedure.
The new guidelines -- published online May 10 in theBMJ-- were issued as part of the journal's initiative to provide up-to-date recommendations based on the latest evidence. The guidelines make a strong recommendation against arthroscopy for nearly all cases of degenerative knee disease.
This includes osteoarthritis as well as tears of the meniscus, the padding between the two leg bones in the knee, Siemieniuk said.
"With age and with use, the grinding of the two bones together can break down that padding," he said. "It's very common to see little rips and tears in that padding in patients with arthritis."
Siemieniuk and his colleagues noted that a trial published in 2016 showed that surgery was no better than exercise therapy in patients with a meniscus tear.
Despite this and other medical evidence, most guidelines still recommend keyhole surgery for people with meniscus tears, sudden onset of symptoms like pain or swelling, or mild to moderate difficulties with knee movement.
Arthroscopic surgery relies on small incisions through which a tiny camera and miniature instruments are inserted. Doctors can remove or repair damaged tissue without having to cut the knee open.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons currently advises against performing arthroscopic surgery in patients with full-fledged knee osteoarthritis, said Dr. Kevin Shea, an academy spokesman.
"Most orthopedic surgeons have dramatically reduced arthroscopic surgery in patients with degenerative arthritis," Shea said. "Most I know have abandoned it over the last 10 to 15 years."
However, arthroscopic surgery still can help people with joint movement problems caused by meniscus tears who have not developed moderate or severe knee osteoarthritis, said Shea.
Those patients should be treated first with mild painkillers and exercise therapy, but keyhole surgery should remain an option for them, he added. Shea is an orthopedic surgeon based in Boise, Idaho.
"Not that long ago, I operated on a 67-year-old retired schoolteacher who's an avid skier," Shea said. "She had no arthritis in her knee but a huge meniscus tear that kept locking, catching and popping. Not offering treatment to her would not have been fair."
Under theBMJguidelines, patients with meniscus tears should be treated with painkillers and physical therapy, as well as weight loss if they are overweight, Siemieniuk said. Knee replacement surgery is the last treatment option, done once degeneration has progressed to the point where all other therapies don't work.
There is a financial incentive for doctors and hospitals to perform unnecessary keyhole surgeries, but Siemieniuk said these surgeries also might be prompted by the desire to treat a painful medical condition.
"It's hard to take away one of the options from people when chronic knee pain and arthritis can be very debilitating," he said. "And there's an expectation from patients that by the time they see a surgeon, the surgeon is going to have something to be able to offer them."
Inertia might also play a role. "It's a lot easier to introduce a new treatment into clinical care than to de-implement one that we later find out doesn't work," Siemieniuk said. "That's what we're seeing here."
Keyhole surgery has its downsides. Recovery can last anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks, Siemieniuk said, and there is a risk of blood clots or infection in the knee.
Patients should go through a shared decision-making process with their surgeon, questioning whether this surgery would truly help them, he said.
The surgery still can be useful to fix torn ligaments or repair damage caused by severe trauma, Siemieniuk said. But in most cases, he said, given the evidence, insurers "may choose not to fund it, which I think would be appropriate."
Follow this link:
"Keyhole" surgery not helpful for knee arthritis, experts say - CBS News
Laura E Straub,1,2 Miriam G Cisternas3
1Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2Immune Tolerance Network, San Francisco, CA, 3MGC Data Services, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Purpose: Mental health conditions can increase the risk of disability among adults with arthritis. The objective of this analysis was to compare the prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD), depression, and anxiety among US adults with arthritis vs. those without; characterize adults with arthritis with and without SPD; and determine correlates of seeing a mental health professional during the year for adults with arthritis and SPD. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analysis of adults in the 20112013 National Health Interview Survey. Results: Higher proportions of adults with arthritis had SPD (6.8% vs. 2.4%), depression (19.4% vs. 7.3%), and anxiety (29.3% vs. 16.3%) compared to those without. Of the estimated 3.5 million adults with arthritis and SPD, only 39% saw a mental health professional during the year. Adjusted analyses identified the following statistically significant relationships: those who were older (4564 and 65 [vs.1844], prevalence ratio [PR]=0.8 and 0.4, respectively), less educated (PR=0.5 and 0.7 for high school or less vs. college degree, respectively), and without health insurance coverage (vs. any private, PR=0.7), were less likely to see a mental health professional, whereas the disabled or unemployed (vs. employed, PR=1.6 and 1.5, respectively), and those unable to afford mental health care throughout the year (PR=1.3) were more likely. Conclusion: The high prevalence of SPD, anxiety, and depression in adults with arthritis suggests the need for increased mental health screening, with subsequent referral to mental health professionals or other treatment programs, in that population.
Keywords: serious psychological distress, anxiety, depression, access to mental health care, rheumatoid arthritis
This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.
Continue reading here:
Psychological well-being among US adults with arthritis and the unmet need for mental health care - Dove Medical Press
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - Things as simple as standing, walking and moving your hands can inflict serious pain on people suffering from arthritis.
"We have treatments for inflammatory arthritis that actually modify the disease, [with] what we call disease-modifying-agents, that actually change the course of the disease and can prevent joint destruction, said Dr. Siegel.
Since the completion of the human genome, combating arthritis can involve a more articulated strategy, where researchers can target specific molecules.
"Now that we know who the players are, we can then try to figure out exactly what they do in different diseases, said Dr. John O'Shea, Scientific Director at NIAMS, NIH. Then you can take a strategy, saying, I think this guy is a bad actor, and so we can make a drug that targets that guy."
Not only can you make a drug that targets specific molecules, but you can repurpose one for it, which is what the NIH is currently trying to do with tofacitinib, a drug initially approved for rheumatoid arthritis and now being tested to treat lupus.
"As serious as these problems are, we should be optimistic that if we keep investing in trying to cure and treat these diseases, that we will succeed, said Dr. OShea.
The CDC projects that by 2025, 67 million people in the U.S. will have arthritis.
Here is the original post:
Debunking common myths about arthritis - WHAG
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects over 300,000 children across the country, according to the America College of Rheumatology. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is caused by the bodys immune system attacking its own healthy tissue and can be linked to genetics. Persistent joint pain, swollen joints, limping or preference of one leg or arm are just a few of the everyday battles these children take on every day.
Mitchell Briningstool has taken on the disease for most of his young life. He was diagnosed with JRA at the age of two. Mitchell, a junior at Clarksville Academy, does not let his current condition dictate his daily routines. Hes currently a member of the varsity football team, and has played high school baseball and basketball since his freshman year.
In addition to being a member of the football team, Mitchell is also the leader and the face of Team Mitch, and hell be leading his team on Sunday, May 21 to Walk to Cure Arthritis at Centennial Park in Nashville. Not only will he be leading his team to raise money and awareness, Mitchell was selected as the Team Champion for this event.
The Briningstool family asks that you consider a financial donation, or taking part in the event and day of fun on May 21. There are also some events here in town leading up to the Walk to Cure Arthritis. On Thursday, May 11, Chic Fil a on Wilma Rudolph Blvd. will host Team Mitch night from 5-8 p.m. where a portion of the the sales will be donated to Team Mitch for everyone who mentions they are there for his event. The money will help fund The Arthritis Foundation for research and education.
There will also be a charity basketball game on May 19 at the Clarksville Academy gym. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. and will consist of free basketball training, a three point shooting contest, free throw contest, and capped off with Team Mitch taking on Team RTG. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
Come out and support Mitchell and The Arthritis Foundation during one of these three events. If you cant make it, you can also make a donation online.
See the original post here:
Local high school football player takes on rheumatoid arthritis - Clarksville Now