StemCell Therapy

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in 2015 that one in 250 children have some form of joint pain that may be related to either an autoimmune condition or infection.

If the pain is due to an underlying infection, treating the child would usually result in complete resolution of the arthritis.

However, some of these children may have an autoimmune cause for their arthritis. These children would have seen many doctors and the pain doesnt appear to go away with standard painkillers. At times, the pain can be so severe that they cannot do normal activities in school, or worse, they will skip school completely as they are unable to get up from bed and walk.

When the joint pain lasts more than six weeks, the child may have a condition called childhood arthritis (know medically as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or JIA), and it affects children and teenagers up to the age of 16.

This is a chronic condition and is due to the immune system attacking the joint capsule or synovium, leading to overt inflammation. This inflammation will lead to pain, swelling and increased warmth on the skin surface.

The pain is usually associated with early morning stiffness, i.e. the child will have difficulty straightening or bending the affected joint in the morning.

These children will move around with bent knees or elbows, and sometimes, they can be seen walking with a limp. The exact cause of this condition is still unknown.

Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness, many of these children only get referred many months later to a paediatric rheumatologist.

JIA is an aggressive condition, and if not managed early, can lead to long-term damage to the structures within and surrounding the joint. As these children are growing, this disease can affect their growth plate, leading to shortening of their limbs.

Worse still is that when the bones are completely damaged, they will not be able to bend their joints.

It is very important to get these children treated as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to all these vital structures in their body.

There are eight sub-types of JIA, namely oligoarthritis, rheumatoid-factor-positive polyarthritis, rheumatoid-factor-negative polyarthritis, systemic arthritis, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, systemic arthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis and undifferentiated arthritis.

Oligoarthritis occurs when four joints or less are affected and it usually affects children below the age of five. This condition mainly targets larger joints like the knees, ankles and elbows.

Patients with this subtype are prone to suffer eye inflammation called uveitis and will need to have regular follow-up with the eye specialist.

For rheumatoid-factor-positive polyarthritis and rheumatoid-factor-negative polyarthritis, more than four joints are inflamed. The difference is only whether or not there is an autoantibody called rheumatoid factor present.

If this autoantibody is present, the child is likely to have a worse outcome as the disease is more aggressive and will probably need the newer drugs for control.

These two subtypes usually affect children above five years of age.

Girls are more likely to have polyarthritis than boys.

Systemic arthritis usually affects children below five and is a severe form of arthritis, as these children usually present with high grade fever and rash, which cannot be explained or have no source of infection.

This subtype is due to uncontrolled inflammation within the body and can lead to swelling of the heart, lungs, liver and spleen. It can cause a severe drop in the white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, leading to a medical emergency called Macrophage Activation Syndrome. This condition can lead to death if not identified early, and as such, should be managed urgently by a paediatric rheumatologist.

Enthesitis-related arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects not only the joints but also the enthesis, which is the part where the ligaments or tendons attach to the bones.

This subtype usually affects school-going children and can lead to severe back pain due to inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. This is a joint that forms between the tail bone and the hip bone.

Children with inflammatory bowel disease, which is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the intestines, are at greater risk of developing this subtype.

Examples of swelling in childhood arthritis.

Juvenile psoriatic arthritis affects 20% of children who have psoriasis (an autoimmune skin disease where the skin flakes excessively due to rapid skin cell turnover) or have parents or siblings who have psoriasis themselves.

It usually affects the fingers or toes of children above the age of five, leading to sausage-shaped fingers called dactylitis.

Treatment for JIA aims to control the disease as early as possible to prevent further damage to the childs joints.

It can start with targeted injections into the joints with potent anti-inflammatory medications such as triamcinolone (if there are only a few joints involved), to combination treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for those with more severe forms of the disease.

Most recently, there are more targeted therapies against certain inflammatory molecules in the body, called biologics, which add to the arsenal of treatments against JIA.

With all these medications, the cure rate for JIA is good, especially if treated early, and more than 80% of children with JIA can lead normal, active lifestyles similar to other children.

In a nutshell:

Children and teenagers can have arthritis too.

If a child has joint pain for more than six weeks, the child will need to seek medical help from a paediatric rheumatologist as soon as possible as it may be JIA.

JIA is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can lead to life-long disability if not adequately treated.

JIA has no exact known cause.

There are many subtypes of JIA and each subtype has different levels of severity.

Children with unexplained fever for weeks without a known source may have a severe form of JIA.

Children with psoriasis can also have arthritis.

Early treatment is very important to prevent damage to the joint and growth plate.

Current treatment regimens have a good success rate and most children can lead normal and active lives.

Parents and the paediatric rheumatologist play an essential role in helping children with JIA cope with this disease, which requires long-term care and treatment.

Dr Cham Weng Tarng is a consultant paediatrician and paediatric rheumatologist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Associations Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. This article is supported by an educational grant from Sunway Medical Centre. For further information, visit http://www.mypositiveparenting.org. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the readers own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

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Children get arthritis, too - Star2.com

Home Bone Health Osteopenia (bone loss) update: natural treatment, anti-inflammatory diet, diabetes, psoriatic arthritis

In case you missed it, here is Bel Marra Healths roundup on osteopenia decreased bone densityfeaturing information on what factors contribute to bone loss, natural treatment options, anti-inflammatory diet tips for stronger bones, and how psoriasis affects bone density.

Bone loss, and more specifically osteoporosis, is often identified as a female health problem, but men are not immune to losing bone density. There are many factors that can contribute to bone loss, so practicing bone-boosting habits is essential, especially as you age.

Bones are composed of minerals, the most predominant being calcium. The body goes through a process called resorption, meaning it breaks down old bone and creates newer, stronger ones. Unfortunately, as we age, this becomes more difficult. The quicker old bone breaks down the more the need for new bone increases, but older adults simply do not create new bone as quickly as someone who is young. Bone loss can lead to osteopenia, which can evolve into osteoporosis. Bone disease can increase fractures and breaks and can negatively impact a persons life. Here are four factors that can contribute to bone loss, aside from aging, and what you can do to prevent bone loss. Continue reading

Many people are familiar with the term osteoporosis, but fewer have heard the term osteopenia, which means lower bone density than normal. If you have osteopenia, your bone density may be lower than normal peak level, but it isnt low enough to be considered osteoporosis.

Bone density is simply the measurement of how dense and strong bones are. Lower bone density puts you at a higher risk of eventually getting osteoporosis.

Low bone density is often associated with the elderly. As we grow older, bones become thinner due to the fact that the body reabsorbs bone cells faster than new bone is made. Other diseases or treatments can also cause osteopenia. Continue reading

New research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research suggests that women who consume a diet high in anti-inflammatories experience less bone loss than their peers.

The study examined data from the Womens Health Initiative and compared inflammatory elements of participants diets to their bone mineral density and fractures, discovering a connection between food and bone health. Continue reading

Diabetes can increase the risk of bone loss, and the severity of diabetes can determine its impact on bone health. Osteoporosis is a consequence of diabetes, and both diabetes and osteoporosis have a high prevalence in America. The likelihood of developing both conditions increases with aging.

Type 1 diabetes causes bone mineral density loss, weakening the bones and leading to osteoporosis. In type 2 diabetes, though, there isnt a great loss in bone mineral density. In fact, type 2 diabetics tend to have higher bone mass density than average. Unfortunately, many of these patients tend to be overweight, and that extra weight contributes to bone loss and bone weakening over time. Many studies have even shown that type 2 diabetics, even with above average bone mineral density, are still at a higher risk for bone fractures. Continue reading

Psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis patients show higher osteoporosis and osteopenia prevalence, according to research. M. Elaine Husni, director of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center at Cleveland Clinic, said Clinicians who treat patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis should be on alert for an association with osteopenia and osteoporosis. The researchers suggest there is strong evidence to link psoriatic arthritis to bone loss, and there is an independent association between psoriasis and low mineral density. Continue reading

Related: Bone loss linked with serious illness

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This one thing is protecting your bones

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Osteopenia (bone loss) update: natural treatment, anti-inflammatory diet, diabetes, psoriatic arthritis - Bel Marra Health

Experts have said inflammation could be addressed by what people eat, adding that every day foods including sugar and saturated fat can dramatically affect the conditions.

One of the everyday foods people could benefit from cutting out, they suggest, is vegetable oil - found in many processed foods - as too much Omega 6 in the diet can trigger inflammation.

Chronic low grade inflammation is linked to all the common diseases out there, said Philip Calder, Professor of Nutritional Immunology at Southampton University.

Understandably this is why there has been such a huge focus in the last decade on understanding it and trying to find ways to reduce it.

Think of inflammation as essentially a sign something is wrong and the body is try to find a way to resolve it.

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For example, a thumb will become swollen, heat up and painful if you hit it with a hammer this inflammation response warns your body something is amiss and then can kick start the healing process.

But significantly it is short-lived. What is different is when we experience intermittent or recurrent inflammation.

Where it is not turned off it becomes chronic, says Professor Calder.

Chronic inflammation - that persists and serves no purpose damages the body and is a key factor in causing illness and is now recognised as the underlying basis of a significant number of diseases.

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Chronic low grade inflammation is linked to all the common diseases out there

Professor Philip Calder

Professor Calder added: Many of the factors of a modern Western lifestyle - like taking little or no exercise and a diet often high in sugar and bad fats appear to make it easier for the body to become inflamed.

He said there is no magical food group which can reduce inflammation but components of some foods may be able to regulate or dampen down the inflammatory response.

These components can be found in a typical Mediterranean diet, one that has been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Rob Hobson Head of Nutrition at Healthspan said people should be eating oily fish - rich in omega 3, fibrous pulses, berries, nuts, dark green and other brightly coloured vegetables, which contain antioxidants and other polyphenols to help quell inflammation in the body.

Processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates - including sugar - and saturated fats can exacerbate the inflammatory process, he said.

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Foods to avoid if you are suffering with Gout

Both experts said having too much omega 6 in the diet - found in vegetable oils like sunflower and safflower and found in many processed foods.

These fats oxidise easily, depleting the body of antioxidants and potentially causing inflammation and mutation in cells.

Switch to extra virgin olive oil and avoid margarine and too much meat, said Rob.

There is also increasing evidence that overeating leads to an inflammatory response in the body.

If you measure the blood of an obese person you will find higher levels of inflammatory chemicals than in someone who is not overweight, said Professor Calder.

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And heres the interesting thing: lose weight and those levels of inflammatory cells return to normal.

Experts also state there are herbs and spices which can help people reduce inflammation, including ginger and tumeric.

The active components of the ginger root known as gingerols are potent antioxidants and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects that have been proven to help reduce migraines and period pain.

People who dont get much turmeric or ginger in their diet can consider taking a supplement like Healthspans OptiTurmeric, 15.95 or Ginger Extract, 13.95.

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Diet to cure your arthritis: THIS everyday food could be making symptoms WORSE - Express.co.uk

Dividing mesenchymal stem cells

Its the kind of the data the field has worked towards for years.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients given a single intravenous dose ofMesoblastsnovel stem cell therapy were still demonstrating therapeutic benefits nine months later, according to new Phase 2 data from the Melbourne, Australia-based company.

While much larger Phase 3 studies are needed to validate the results, the data offer a tantalizing look at what optimized and targeted regenerative medicines could do as the field moves closer to an approval.

The study involved 48 patients that were resistant to frontline TNF-alpha therapies, such as Enbrel, Remicade, and Humira.

While these drugs have revolutionized the field and generated billions in revenue around20-40 percent of patients treated with a TNF inhibitor dont achieve a significant reduction in symptoms. Theyre non-responders. Others become resistant over time or experience adverse events.

When TNF inhibitors are off the table, patients are typically prescribed second-line drugs such as Rituxan. These, however, are not as effective and come with a range of serious side effects.

CEOSilviu Itescu said Mesoblasts mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) have demonstrated virtually no toxicity. The immune system doesnt register them as foreign so theres no negative immune response.The cells also appear targeted, intrinsically moving towards sites of inflammation and embedding themselves in the tissue.

The way the cells work is, they have receptors on their surface that are activated by every major cytokine that is important in progressive rheumatoid arthritis, including TNF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, Itescu explained. Those cytokines drive the disease and also bind to receptors on our cells. And when they bind to our cells they activate the cells to release other factors that switch off the very cells that made those cytokines.

In other words, MPCs interfere with the feed forward production of inflammatory molecules. Because the cells are addressing multiple pathways, he believes the therapy has an edge on the biologics inhibiting TNF-alpha or others key targets. It is also getting to the heart of the inflammation and disease, not simply knocking the immune system back.

Listed on both the NASDAQ and the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), Mesoblast is evaluating its platform to a wide range of diseases. For each indication, the cells are delineated and optimized. Mesoblasts portfolio, Itescu said, is the most advanced in the stem cell field.

At the front of the pack is MSC-100-IV, a Phase 3 therapy for pediatric graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). MSC-100-IV secured orphan drug designation in the U.S., paving the way for an accelerated approval. The company is expecting a data readout in the third-quarter of this year.

Two other product candidates, MPC-150-IM and MPC-06-ID, are in late-stage development for advanced chronic heart failure and chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease.

In late December, U.S.-based MallinckrodtPharmaceuticals took an option on the GvHD and lower back pain programs.

When it comes to manufacturing, Itescu said the cells are designed to scale. The foundation for the supply chain is the allogeneic nature of the cells they can be administered to any patient.

Its not a problem for us, its an advantage, Itsecu said about the production logistics.Weve been at this for ten years and weve focused the entire thing on a scalable manufacturing platform using a unique subtype that can be used off-the-shelf and that can be industrially manufactured.

There are plenty of potential customers if the therapy is approved.

Rheumatoid arthritis is particularly lucrative. As Global Business Intelligencenotes, in 2013, three TNF-a-targeting biologics Humira, Remicade, and Enbrel were ranked among the top-10 best-selling drugs in the world, with global revenues of $11.1 billion, $9.9 billion, and $8.9 billion respectively.

Photo: Mesoblast

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Nine months of rheumatoid arthritis suppression with one stem cell dose? - MedCity News

Finding the right treatment to keep your psoriatic arthritis under control can take time. The first, second, or even third may not work for managing your particular condition.

Treatment change would come about in two different situations for psoriatic arthritis, says Reshma Marri-Gottam, MD, a rheumatologist at St. John Providence health system in Detroit. One would be theyre not tolerating the medication or they have an adverse effect or reaction to the medication, or the risk outweighs the benefits. The other is theyre just not responding to the medication.

It may be that your body has built up a resistance to one drug or that the disease itself is ramping up, especially if youve only been managing the symptoms rather than the source of the symptoms.

Usually we are adjusting medications due to active joint inflammation and active skin disease, explains Kelly Weselman, MD, a rheumatologist at Wellstar Rheumatology in Atlanta and chair of the American College of Rheumatology communications and marketing committee. Sometimes we change a medication because it is not effective at all, she says. Sometimes the medication shows partial benefit, but the patient and I might decide we can do better with an alternative medication strategy.

The right treatment plan can make all the difference in controlling your symptoms and allowing you to continue your daily activities.

Although this is not a curable disease, it can often be put into remission, Dr. Weselman says. There are certainly patients who we just cannot get into complete remission, but usually we can find a treatment regimen that improves their quality of life.

Here are the questions you should ask to determine whether its time to change treatment and what to expect.

Every drug comes with side effects and risks, and these can be the reason some patients want to stop taking a drug. The most important thing is to be open with your doctor about what you can and cannot handle.

Be honest with your physician about ongoing symptoms that are bothersome. Your appointment is the best time to discuss changes, so arrive prepared, Weselman says. Recognize that every treatment carries some degree of risk, and lack of appropriate treatment also carries risk. Many decisions must be made in person, either due to a need for the doctor to examine a particular area or to have effective discussions about the available options.

I explain to patients our ladder of treatment options as well as the risks, benefits, and potency of each agent, Weselman says. We discuss costs as well.The options are finite, so we need to discuss all options to avoid running out of treatments.

The first drug most people use to treat psoriatic arthritis is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin) or naproxen(Aleve), treat the pain and inflammation but not the underlying cause of the disease.

The next step up from NSAIDs are disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs, such as methotrexate, do not actually modify psoriatic arthritis disease but can prevent its progression.

Biologics, which are made from living organisms, work by targeting specific proteins or cells in the immune system.

Patients may receive a temporary course of corticosteroids during any of their treatment plans to stop a particularly bad flare-up.

We discuss guidelines in treatment and standards of care and how that applies to their specific situation, Weselman says. Spending a few minutes giving the patient information helps us to make decisions together.

Its only human to want instant relief, but some drugs take time to really kick in. Weselman and Dr. Marri-Gottam recommend allowing three months for a new medication to begin working.

It can be frustrating for patients waiting to see if a medication is effective, but if we give up on a treatment too quickly, we risk losing potentially effective treatments, Weselman says.

The most current framework for thinking about psoriatic arthritis treatment today is that combination therapy is better than monotherapy, Marri-Gottam says. That means that using two drugs simultaneously can often achieve better results than just one.

Usually methotrexate is combined with a biologic agent, Weselman says.Sometimes sulfasalazine is a part of the combination.

Sometimes doctors have to try one treatment before another simply to make sure you dont end up paying out of pocket.

We tend to use the medications that have been out on the market the longest, and we try to do what we think is right for the patient. But sometimes the insurance company dictates what we can and cant use, Marri-Gottam says.

One company might require a patient to try adalimumab(Humira) before etancercept(Embrel), for example; while another company may require a different protocol. Insurance companies often require patients try a DMARD before moving on to biologics.

Methotrexate is the first med I usually start with, even if theyre a good candidate for a biologic, Marri-Gottam says. With DMARDs, if theres any dose changes that can happen, you try to give a fair chance to that medication before you say, Hey, this isnt going to work anymore.

Some drugs restrict the activities you can engage in or delay goals you may want to achieve, such as starting a family. Its important to discuss with your doctor what youre willing to do and give up.

Younger patients should definitely think about whether they want to have kids, Marri-Gottam says. I advise patients that they need to be on birth control if taking methotrexate because it is known to be harmful to the fetus.

Not enough data exists about biologics to know if they can cause harm, so its currently recommended not to take biologics while pregnant or trying to conceive either.

Alcohol is another big one for methotrexate, Marri-Gottam says. If youre on methotrexate, you shouldnt drink at all. Methotrexate is heavy on the liver, so if youre taking that and drinking alcohol, which is processed by the liver, its too much for the liver to handle for some patients.

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6 Things You Need to Know About Switching Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments - Everyday Health (blog)

By Staff

The New England Journal of Medicine published supplementary data, which show that people with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who took the oral Janus kinase inhibitor baricitinib had better outcomes through 52 weeks compared to adalimumab (Humira).

This is an exciting time for rheumatology, with potential new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis on the horizon. The RA-BEAM study of baricitinib is the first phase 3 trial showing that a once-daily, oral treatment significantly improved clinical outcomes compared with a current standard of care, injectable adalimumab used with background methotrexate therapy, said Peter Taylor, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., study author and Norman Collisson chair of Musculoskeletal Sciences in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford.

In the RA-BEAM study, researchers studies more than 1,300 people who did not have an adequate response to methotrexate, but continued the use of methotrexate throughout the duration of the study. Participants were randomized to placebo once daily (n=488), baricitinib 4 mg once daily (n=487) or adalimumab 40 mg biweekly (n=330). At the 24th week, participants taking placebo crossed over to the baricitinib treatment group. The design of the head-to-head study and statistical analysis plan included prespecified and controlled for multiple testing for both non-inferiority and superiority of baricitinib compared with adalimumab.

A higher proportion of participants taking baricitinib achieved ACR50 and ACR70 response composite scores that represent at least 50 percent and 70 percent improvement, respectively, in multiple components of RA disease activity compared to adalimumab. This was observed as early as week 8 and continued through week 52.

These improvements were statistically significant compared to adalimumab at weeks 12, 20, 28, 32 and 40. At week 52, both ACR50 and ACR70 rates were higher in the baricitinib group compared to adalimumab, although only ACR50 was statistically significant.

Serious adverse events were observed in 8% for baricitinib and 4% for Adalimumab. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were reported in less than 1% of patients in both the baricitinib and adalimumab groups (baseline through 52 weeks). A total of 5 deaths were reported in the study (1 placebo, 2 baricitinib, 1 adalimumab and 1 placebo rescued to baricitinib).

These data demonstrate that baricitinib could provide another treatment option for people with rheumatoid arthritis, Taylor added.

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Baricitinib Better for Rheumatoid Arthritis than Humira - National Pain Report

Arthrogen will start a Phase Ib trial for a gene therapy aiming to treat rheumatoid arthritis with a single injection and reduce costs for patients.

Arthrogen,based in Amsterdam, is developing local gene therapies for inflammatory diseases. The biotech company has now announced it has received approval to start a Phase Ib trial with its lead candidate, ART-I02, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who still suffer from inflamed joints despitemultiple treatments.

The clinical trial will be conducted by the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) in Leiden, with collaboration from other University Medical Centers in the Netherlands. Patients will start to be recruited in the first quarter of this year and results are expected by the end of 2018.

ART-I02 consists of a recombinant adeno-associatedviral vector (rAAV) genetically engineered to encode the human interferon (hIFN-) protein, which has anti-inflammatory activity.By including an inflammation-inducible promoter in the genetic construct, the gene is only expressed when the patient suffers flares of acute pain and inflammation.

Founded in 2005 as a joint venture between the Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ) in the United Arab Emirates and the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam, Arthrogen has managed to raise almost 15M so far to support its pipeline for inflammatory disease.

One of the advantages of ART-I02 is that its delivered locallyin the rheumatic joint, only affecting the target area to minimize side effects. In addition, gene therapy offers a long-lasting treatment with a single injection, which can significantly reduce costs for patients in the long term. However, Arthrogen will have to be careful to not follow the steps of its neighboruniQure, whose firstcommercial gene therapy was a failure because of pricing issues.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a big market, expected to generate 32.5B ($34.6B) by 2020. The space is crowded, but by then blockbusters like top-seller Humira will no longer be protected by patents in both the US and Europe, leading the way for biosimilars and other options affordable in the long term such as gene therapy.

Images byMidas Anim; Tefi /Shutterstock

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Gene Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis gets Approval to Start ... - Labiotech.eu (blog)

Jordans Jack Friedges is putting one foot in front of the other to help find a cure for arthritis.

Friedges will be participating in the annual Walk to Cure Juvenile Arthritis event at the Mall of America on Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m. The event features a three-mile and one-mile course.

Friedges has also been named the Young Adult Honoree for this years event.

The cause is personal for Friedges, who was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in 2014. Friedges was able to keep his arthritis under control with the help of medication, and he continues to be a three-sport athlete at Jordan High School in football, basketball and baseball.

I joined the Arthritis Foundations Walk to Cure Arthritis to help the more than 50 million Americans and 300,000 children with arthritis live better today and to keep the Arthritis Foundations promise of finding a cure for tomorrow, Friedges wrote on his donation page.

Your support provides people with arthritis life-changing resources and information to manage their disease and improves access to the critical medications they need to live full, healthy lives. The impact of your donation doesnt stop today, it also helps fund cutting-edge research to identify better treatments and a cure, Friedges added.

Friedges has set a goal of raising $5,000 for the event. As of Monday, he had raised $1,515 through his fundraising site, which can be found at http://bit.ly/2lIhosf

The Jordan Basketball Association will be hosting a fundraiser to support Friedges during the Hubmen and Jaguars basketball games on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

The girls game against Waseca will start at 6 p.m., and the boys will play Holy Family at 7:45 p.m.

Find a Cure for Juvenile Arthritis Jacks Journey bracelets will be on sale for $2, and all proceeds from the half court toss at both games will benefit the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation on Friedges behalf.

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Jordan youth walks to cure juvenile arthritis - SW News Media

Potential therapies for chikungunya arthritis Nature.com Targeting T cells is emerging as a promising strategy for the treatment of chikungunya arthritis. Two independent studies published in Science Translational Medicine demonstrated amelioration of disease when targeting pathogenic CD4+ T cells in mice ...

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Potential therapies for chikungunya arthritis - Nature.com

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New player in RA pathogenesis brought to light Nature.com A novel subset of T cells is responsible for driving autoantibody production by B cells in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to new research published in Nature. These cells, dubbed T 'peripheral helper' cells, are ...

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New player in RA pathogenesis brought to light - Nature.com

Endocrinology Advisor

How Does Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Diabetes Risk? Endocrinology Advisor The prevalence of diabetes is higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with greater PsA activity correlating with a higher risk of developing the disease, according to recent research published in The Journal of Rheumatology. Psoriatic ...

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How Does Psoriatic Arthritis Affect Diabetes Risk? - Endocrinology Advisor

After opening the Dublin Film Festival, director Aisling Walsh hopes to bring her story of an artist battling arthritis to the world, writes Esther McCarthy.

Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins in Maudie, the true story of artist Maud Lewis, directed by Irish filmmaker Aisling Walsh, left.

She was the low-key, quirky artist whose paintings, sublime in their simplicity, made her beloved in her native Canada.

Now an Irish filmmaker is hopeful that she can help make the work of Maud Lewis celebrated throughout the world.

Lewis, who sold painted cards out of her remote home in Nova Scotia, defied crippling rheumatoid arthritis, which she developed in childhood and suffered from throughout her life, to become one of Canadas most loved folk artists.

Irish director Aisling Walsh is bringing Lewiss story to the big screen in an intimate drama, Maudie, starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke, that will open this years Audi Dublin International Film Festival. The film also focuses on Mauds difficult marriage to her husband, Everett.

ADIFF, which will feature scores of anticipated Irish and international features and shorts, and Walsh, for one, is looking forward to bringing her film home for the opening night.

Its a couple of years since I screened a film in Ireland, so its rather special for me. Im looking forward to it very much, said the London-based filmmaker, whose credits include acclaimed Irish film Song For a Raggy Boy and the award-winning TV series Fingersmith and Room at the Top.

Its interesting, you spend so long making a film, a long time putting it together in the cutting room and trying to get it up to its flying best as I call it, then you try to bring it out into the world.

The response has been kind of universal. Its amazing how people respond to it. They laugh, they cry, they go on that journey. Thats really satisfying.

Walsh hopes that the film will help bring Mauds story and work to a wider audience.

Shes well known in Nova Scotia where shes from, in Toronto, Vancouver and in America as well because people travelled and holidayed quite a lot in that part of the world, would have stopped outside the house and bought her work.

But otherwise, like a lot of women artists she isnt terribly recognised. Its amazing that shes not. Its nice that this will hopefully make her a little more well known in the world.

Walsh, whod trained as a painter before forging a career in film, had been interested in making a film about an artist for almost a decade and was watching out for the right project.

When Sherry Whites script landed on her desk, she was hooked. Id looked at making a film about a painter, there were one or two stories I was interested in. I did know her work, Id seen these pictures.

Then I thought of Sally and thought it could be a really good opportunity for us to work together again, wed been trying to find something to do together (since collaborating on the mini-series Fingersmith).

This just seemed to be right. And that story I was just fascinated by the portrait of that marriage, that love story. I thought that I could bring something to it, that if youre lucky could be kind of magical.

As well as her art, the film focuses on Mauds complicated marriage to Everett Lewis, a temperamental man with whom she had a loving but often-fraught relationship.

There are dark details within their union, and in the wrong hands this tale of an imperfect romance could have rung less true. A lot of it is two people in a room, in a landscape together. Would I have done it ten years ago? No, Id probably have run for the hills. That (the relationship) is quite complex in its own way because youve got nowhere to hide. It just really spoke to me, so much that I thought I really want to make this film.

Maud had severe arthritis that impacted greatly on her movement, but Walsh and Hawkins never characterise this in a way that feels mawkish or manipulative.

People who have disabilities have disabilities, says Walsh. They live with them. They dont think of them as disabilities. Thats what youve got in life and you get on with it. Apart from the pain she had, which apparently got quite bad in later life, that was how she was and who she was.

Its really important that you dont think about it, but that its there, thats who Maud is. Shes lived with it all her life. I thought that was an interesting way to play it, and Sally really wanted to do that too.

Though Walsh has lived in London since moving to the city to study three decades ago, she still considers Dublin to be home and spent almost six months here last year, largely working on post-production on the film.

I came here originally for three years as a student and never thought Id be here this long. I always consider Dublin home, she observes.

If youve lived in London like I have for thirty years, you get used to that scale and size and there are a lot of things there that I love.

Though she considers the recent Brexit vote a shame she doesnt see herself leaving London permanently. Theres a point where you realise that its going to happen. Its interesting, I know people who voted to come out and people who desperately wanted to stay.

"Maybe they have to be out for a while to remember why it would have been good to stay. I think its a shame because theyre a very strong voice in Europe.

The cast is almost entirely made up of actors with intellectual disabilities.

Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

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Putting Maud and arthritis into the frame | Irish Examiner - Irish Examiner

A service helping patients with arthritis and joint pain looks set to be axed from Walsall Manor Hospital because it is unsustainable, according to a report.

The boroughs Rheumatology service, which is run by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, may close due to its size with plans being drawn up to have a service covering the whole of the Black Country.

Health bosses behind the Black Countrys Strategic Transformation Plan (STP), have said it is difficult to recruit and keep consultant rheumatologists for the service.

It is currently made up of two consultants and clinical nurse specialists. Arthritis and back pain are among the conditions treated.

The STP states: We already have well advanced discussions regarding the Rheumatology service, which is unsustainable in Walsall due to the small size of the service making recruitment and retention of consultant rheumatologists really difficult.

As a result of our network approach, we have collectively made available short-term resources to sustain the service, and have been successful in recruiting three consultants who will join later this year.

This will lead to a reduction in locum spend in the second half of the year.

Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust already provides rheumatology services for a large part of Staffordshire as well as Wolverhampton.

Councillor Ian Robertson, Walsall Councils health boss, said he thought the change to a Black Country-led service makes sense.

He added: I think when you have a specialist service it is easier to recruit if you can tell them you will be looking after a series of hospitals rather than just one.

"It makes sense to have a large group sharing some specialist services to save money.

The service in Walsall is offered Monday to Friday at the Manor and the Outpatient and Day Case Centre.

It offers specialist clinics, including early arthritis, and a range of treatments, including infusions and injections.

The rheumatology team has strong links with primary care providers and services such as the falls prevention programme based at Dartmouth House in the town.

The team also provides an expert patient programme, which can be accessed by people with long-term conditions, and works alongside voluntary services.

See more here:
Walsall Manor Hospital-based arthritis unit set for the axe - expressandstar.com

Marion Morrissey from Co Limerick was diagnosed with psoriasis at 15.

Living with a chronic skin condition can be very difficult as although it may not be life threatening, treatment can be all-consuming and the anxiety caused by such a visible disorder can take its toll.

Up to 140,000 people in Ireland suffer from psoriasis, an auto-immune disorder which causes the skin to reproduce at a rapid pace resulting in itchy, painful scales all over the body, including the scalp and nails.

And if this discomfort wasnt enough, 40,000 will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis which affects the back and joints causing severe pain and immobility.

This month, Arthritis Ireland has launched a campaign entitled More than Skin Deep, which provides expert information on the condition and advice for sufferers.

There is a lot of research going on in Ireland into psoriatic arthritis and its causes, says consultant rheumatologist Prof David Kane.

These are mainly looking at the genes that cause the condition in families and using ultrasound imaging and synovial tissue biopsy of the joints to study patients who have the disease in order to find new targets for treatments.

For immediate pain relief there are a range of painkillers but these do not deal with the underlying inflammation which will ultimately lead to permanent joint damage.

But fortunately there are now a lot of specific treatment options for psoriatic arthritis that will reverse the joint inflammation, reduce pain and prevent joint damage.

Marion Morrissey from Co Limerick knows only too well what it is like to have the condition as she has suffered with it since she was a teenager.

I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 15 so have lived with the condition for more years than I have lived without it and it has affected absolutely everything in my life, says the 39 year old.

My initial diagnosis was of a very dry flaky scalp at the hairdressers. I then went to my GP who diagnosed psoriasis. But that GP (and many others since), didnt have much time or empathy as psoriasis wasnt perceived to be serious as its not usually life threatening.

But my condition got progressively worse until I had almost 75 per cent body coverage. Then when I was 24 I got nail psoriasis which looks like a fungal infection there was no treatment for this but luckily, being female, I could paint my nails. Over the years I have tried every treatment available from conventional to alternative creams, lotions, ointments, sprays, moisturisers, shampoos and PUVA light treatment anything that offered even a glimmer of hope, but none really worked.

Morrissey, who is married with three children and runs her own healthcare training company, http://www.safeaid.ie, was dealt a further blow when the skin condition transferred to her joints.

I developed psoriatic arthritis aged 32 and became really worried about my quality of life, she admits. The pain and stiffness started in my fingers and toes it was really severe especially in the mornings, really affecting my ability to carry out normal daily activities.

My fingers and toes would be hot and throbbing and had a sausage-like appearance so this along with the stiffness and pain made many tasks difficult. Driving was affected as getting a grasp on the steering wheel and pressing on the pedals was hard due to the pain in my toes. Even brushing my daughters hair was a problem as I couldnt hold the brush and this really took its toll emotionally.

The pain and stiffness spread to her knees, ankles, elbows and neck until eventually Morrissey sought help. She was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and put on medication and while it took several different drugs to discover which would work best for her condition, her current medication is keeping the pain under control and for the first time in years, she is living life to the full.

I got my official diagnosis from a rheumatologist who gave me steroid injections in my fingers and toes, says Morrissey. But this only worked for a month or so before the symptoms came back. Then I was put on many different types of anti-inflammatory drugs which also just kept things at bay for a while before I got significantly worse.

The pain was so bad at one point that I had to set my alarm for 4am in order to take a cocktail of medication so I could function and get downstairs by 7am. With a new baby and two older children, this was incredibly difficult, particularly as I was also trying to keep my business going.

But 4 years ago I was started on a different drug and I havent looked back since. I have been given my life back and cannot even begin to compare it now to what it was before.

I am totally symptom-free and to date, havent experienced any side effects. I live a very full and busy life both at home and in work and I am very thankful.

My advice for anyone who has just been diagnosed with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is to be assertive and keep going until you find the right treatment as the results can be life changing.

Kane says lifestyle changes can also help ease the often crippling symptoms of this condition.

Medication is the cornerstone of treatment for psoriatic arthritis, he says. But patients can also help manage their condition by having a healthy diet, managing their weight to reduce the strain on their lower limb joints, exercising to keep joints and muscles healthy, managing stress levels and seeking help for anxiety and depression.

Anyone who is concerned they may have the condition should raise this with their GP or dermatologist both should be able to spot early signs of psoriatic arthritis.

For more information visit http://www.arthritisireland.ie

Read more:
Psoriasis has affected absolutely everything in my life - Irish Times

Drug combo works against chikungunya arthritis in mice Trinidad Guardian Combining a drug for rheumatoid arthritis with one that targets the chikungunya virus can eliminate the signs of chikungunya arthritis in mice in the disease's earliest stage, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St ...

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Drug combo works against chikungunya arthritis in mice - Trinidad Guardian

Home Anti-Aging Arthritis Researchers develop new arthritis treatment

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis are developing a new treatment for arthritis that can ease symptoms and make existing medications more effective. Injuries such as a twisted ankle, broken hip, and torn knee cartilage can have long-term side effects including arthritis, joint degeneration, osteoarthritis, and inflammation that could result in chronic pain. The team, led by professor Lori Setton, have found that silk particles can aid in the delivery of existing medications to affected areas that are sometimes hard to reach.

To develop this new treatment, the researchers addressed the main cause of cellular breakdown, inflammation, and pain following an injuryan intracellular compound referred to as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). They are currently working on a method that utilizes silk to deliver two NF-kB inhibiting molecules to the site of the original injury in order to prevent long-term joint damage.

Setton explained their method, stating Silk naturally doesnt interact with water, and, when you mix it with these molecules that also dont interact with water, they bind to each other very strongly. We believe these selective compounds are therapeutically effective, but weve never been able to get them to their target site. By delivering them with the silk, we hope to get large doses to the target site with low toxicity and to have them remain in that compartment for longer periods of time.

In initial trials, Setton and her team have shown that compounds are able to stay in the joint space approximately five times longer when they are delivered with silk microparticles than when they are delivered alone. This new delivery method will begin testing in animal models in the near future.

If this method proves to be effective in animal and human trials, it could provide a more efficient way of treating the cause of long-term joint damage and potentially prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis.

Related: Living with arthritis? Simple lifestyle and exercise tips to improve your joint health

Related Reading:

11 best essential oils for arthritis: Control arthritis and inflammation

Osteoarthritis pain in older adults can be managed with chair yoga

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-02-apill-team-arthritis-treatment-silk.html

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Researchers develop new arthritis treatment - Bel Marra Health

Home Colon And Digestive New research links Crohns disease to arthritis

New research published in Science Translational Medicine has revealed a bacterial link between Crohns disease and arthritis. Crohns is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, that causes abdominal pain and diarrhea, and patients have also reported experiencing joint pain.

The immune system of patients with Crohns attacks the bowels and digestive system, but it can also target the musculoskeletal system and cause spondyloarthritis, resulting in spine and joint pain. This new research has found a link between the two conditions that may help explain why the immune system can turn its sights on the musculoskeletal system.

Researchers gathered fecal samples from patients with IBD and found that those with IBD and spondyloarthritis had a significant presence of E. coli bacteria in their samples. These samples, as well as mouse models, were used by the team to conclude that the E. coli bacteria was connected to the cells that help regulate inflammation in individuals with autoimmune disorders. Patients who had both Crohns disease and spondyloarthritis were found to have higher levels of these inflammation regulating cells, which are triggered by a protein known as IL-23.

These results have provided a target for potential treatments and medications, and with a better understanding of the inflammation caused by bacteria, scientists may be able to develop better treatment options to relieve the symptoms of Crohns and spondyloarthritis. They also open the door for the development of more personalized treatment regimens, as doctors may soon be able to address sources of inflammation specific to each patient.

Related Reading:

Crohns disease natural treatment with home remedies

Never ignore these types of stomach pain

http://news.weill.cornell.edu/news/2017/02/research-uncovers-bacteria-linking-crohn%E2%80%99s-disease-to-arthritis

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New research links Crohn's disease to arthritis - Bel Marra Health

Osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist is a relatively common condition that can lead to significant pain, stiffness and functional limitation. In some cases, arthritis can develop after a fracture or other trauma. However, most of the time it occurs as part of the aging process. Over time, the normal cartilage within the joint degenerates, thins and can wear away entirely, causing pain and inflammation.

Arthritis can occur in any of the joints of the hand and/or wrist, but the joint at the base of the thumb and the small joints of the fingers are most commonly affected. So, how do you know if you may be affected?

Patients with arthritis typically have pain and swelling in the affected joints. They also may notice that certain knuckles become more prominent as a result of osteophyte (bone spur) formation. Range of motion often becomes more limited. Many patients report difficulty with pinching and gripping activities, like opening jars or turning doorknobs or car keys.

Unfortunately, there is no good way to prevent hand and wrist arthritis. Its believed to be caused by a combination of genetics and just general wear and tear that occurs during life. If you do experience symptoms, however, seeing a doctor as soon as possible may allow for more treatment options.

Initial evaluation of the patient with arthritis usually will include a detailed history, including activities or treatments that worsen or improve symptoms. Physical exams can help determine which areas are most symptomatic, as well as assessing the motion and stability of the affected joints. Often, X-rays will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

For patients with earlier-stage disease and milder symptoms, conservative treatments such as ice or heat, rest or activity modification can be effective. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) or pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) also can help with symptoms. For arthritis in certain locations like the joint at the base of the thumb splint usage or hand therapy may have a role. As symptoms become more severe, steroid injections into arthritic joints may provide short-term relief.

For patients with more advanced disease and symptoms not adequately addressed by non-surgical therapies, surgery may be an option. For patients with arthritis in the joint at the base of the thumb (carpometacarpal [CMC] arthritis), surgery can provide significant pain relief while preserving strength and motion in the thumb. Typically, the surgeon removes the arthritic bone (called the trapezium) through a small incision at the base of the thumb. One of the tendons in the area is then rerouted to support the thumb while it heals. After a period of immobilization and rehab, patients are able to return to full activity.

For the smaller joints of the fingers, arthroplasty (joint replacement) with silicone or pyrocarbon implants can preserve motion while relieving pain. These procedures are more commonly performed in the proximal finger joints (those closer to the wrist). For the more distal finger joints (those farther from the wrist), stability is often a more important concern, and an arthrodesis (fusion) procedure can relieve pain and provide a stable platform for pinch-and-grip activities.

Dr. Michael Potter is with Sentara Martha Jefferson Orthopedics.

This column, which promotes community health, is sponsored by Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Region Ten Community Services Board, Thomas Jefferson Health District and the University of Virginia Health System.

See the article here:
Vital Signs: Treatment options can ease pain of hand and wrist arthritis - The Daily Progress

NICHOLAS MCBRIDE

Last updated17:58, February 12 2017

Palmerston North Hospital will have to call on a neighbouring region to help treat its arthritis patients.

A new rheumatologistwas expected to start in February, after its two specialists retired and resigned,respectively, last year.

However, the new doctor will now not start until May, meaning the hospital will have to call on Hawke's Bay for support.

READ MORE: * Concerns raised over shortage of arthritis specialists and delays in replacements * Arthritis sufferer told hospital department will close - DHB denies this

That has prompted Arthritis New Zealand to say the condition is not prioritised in the health system.

Arthritis NZ chief executive Sandra Kirby said the specialist shortage was a "pretty well documented reality".

"We have been concerned for many years about a shortage of rheumatologists in New Zealand.

"It has been an issue for more than a decade. It is not a new phenomenon."

Kirby said arthritis was not viewed as a priority in the New Zealand health system, despite 620,000 people living with the condition.

"Manawatu has been well served [in the past], so this is disappointing."

She expected patients would still get a good service from the Hawke's Bay staff.

MidCentral DHB clinical services and transformation general manager Mike Grant said the new rheumatologist was relocating to New Zealand from the United Kingdom.

"Originally, the doctor was scheduled to begin earlier in 2017, however, the relocation process has taken longer than envisaged."

"In the interim, a rheumatologist based in the Hawke's Bay will provide follow-up clinics at MidCentral Health, as well as seeing urgent patients referred to the service.

"Support for inpatient management will also be available to senior medical officers, ensuring continuity of the rheumatology service for all patients requiring this care."

In a MidCentral committee agenda, Grant said rheumatology patients tended to have a higher proportion of chronic, long-term conditions, rather than acute cases that require urgent attention.

"These arrangements will ensure there is capacity to see any urgent patients referred while we await the arrival of our new specialist."

-Stuff

Read more:
Palmerston North Hospital calls on neighbour to treat arthritis patients - Manawatu Standard

Statistically there are more than 10 million cases of arthritis reported in India every year, and innumerable others that arent. Clinically speaking arthritis is more commonly seen in women, since they have a tendency to gain weight, especially Indian women, which in turn stresses the joints leading to the condition. Erratic intake of calcium is another precipitating factor. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which causes pain, inflammation and reduced motion in the joints. It typically affects the hands, knees, hips and the spine. The condition withers the cartilage, the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bone in a joint. When a person loses cartilage, the bones rub together, this can permanently damage the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is an autoimmune disease, which affects the entire body since there is an abnormal response of the immune system. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, including joints and internal organs in some cases. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more incapacitating than osteoarthritis. The pain associated with arthritis depends on the stage, the symptoms are directly proportional to the stage. The early arthritis patients respond better as opposed to patients with an advanced condition, who have constant pain in joints throughout the day. The most commonplace joint to be affected is the knee, though there are also arthritis cases of shoulder, hip and other smaller joints. Early signs shall help more so with inflammatory arthritis, for instance Rheumatoid arthritis. Patients may complain of early morning stiffness, and if someone has this disorder the stiffness should last 30 to 40 minutes. It is suggested that if a patient goes through morning stiffness, and swelling in small joints, they should consult an Orthopedic Surgeon or a Rheumatologist at the earliest, since this condition if unchecked can be extremely detrimental for the joints. People in India normally resort to self-medication for alleviating pains. They allow the condition to go undiagnosed for years, and consult a clinician only when hands and feet get deformed and the pain becomes unbearable.

There is very little awareness concerning arthritis; therefore, it is imperative that people know more about it and how dreadful it can be. If left unattended, its most devastating side effect being that it can leave people incapacitated for life.

Ways to prevent and treat arthritis

Next week: How to spot early signs of thyroid-related diseases and treat them

Aashish Chaudhry

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Fit & Proper: How to prevent the onset of arthritis - Business Standard