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In early November 2020, at the age of only 33, former British national champion and Omloop Het Nieuwslad winner Ian Stannard announced he would retire from professional cycling, having developed rheumatoid arthritis...but it doesn't have to mean the end of your time in the saddle.

> Health Q&A: Ischial bursitis more than just a saddle sore

So, what is rheumatoid arthritis, and how can it affect cyclists?In this Q+A, consultant rheumatologist at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust and honorary senior lecturer at Manchester University Dr Marwan Bukhari explains why a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis doesnt have to stop you riding, and why cycling might actually help to preventdeveloping it in the first place...

road.cc: First of all, what is rheumatoid arthritis?

Marwan Bukhari: Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition where your immune system decides to activate itself and starts attacking different parts of your body. It usually starts in the joints but it can affect most of the organs in your body, including the eyes, the lungs and the skin. So while it often begins in the joints, it can become far more widespread.

What causes it?

We dont actually know what causes it but its believed that there is a genetic component to it. We think that if you are exposed to an unspecified infection and you have the corresponding genetics, your immune system will activate itself and start by attacking the joints.

Ian Stannard'srheumatoid arthritisinitially presentedin his wrists, but can it present itself elsewhere?

Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly starts off in the hands and feet, then it can affect the knees, elbows and shoulders. Those are the normal joints where it starts, although it can present at any joint in your body - and there are quite a lot of joints in your body!

How would cyclists first spot that they might have an issue?

One of the things that will happen first is that you will start to feel very stiff first thing in the morning, and that will last for more than half an hour after getting up. You will then start to get specific pain and stiffness. For example, a cyclist might have problems grabbing the handlebar, or problems pedalling, with the area underneath the pad of their feet feeling particularly tender. The knees can also get a lot of fluid in them and feel quite tight.

Cyclists are always suffering from a bit of pain or stiffness is there a specific sign that it might be more than just normal activity strain or general fatigue?

Yes, if the pain is very specifically in the joints and if you discover that your motion is significantly restricted. For example, if it is in the hand, just grabbing the brake lever will be painful. You will get fatigue as well and you can get flu-like symptoms - because your immune system is active, its almost as if youre fighting an infection.

What should somebody do if they do think they have a potential problem with rheumatoid arthritis?

The most important thing is to understand that the time between symptom onset and starting treatment is crucial for the prognosis. In the old days, people used to think that anybody with rheumatoid arthritis would end up in a wheelchair or have deformities but that is not the case. If you can have treatment within four months of symptom onset that requires recognising whats happening, seeing your GP, having tests and being referred to a specialist then you can get the disease into remission. But that can only be done if we get the disease under control early enough. Then, to get rheumatoid arthritis into remission requires taking fairly high doses of immune-suppressing treatments. If youre on a fair amount of them, that could make you more susceptible to other problems such as infections, which is obviously a particular consideration in the current climate with so much focus on Covid-19.

How is a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis made?

There is a combination of things that are needed to provide a diagnosis. The first is clinical symptoms. Then we use two blood tests: one measures levels of rheumatoid factors, which are proteins that the immune system produces when it attacks healthy tissue; the other is known as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), which are antibodies also produced by the immune system. Then that might be combined with some imaging - either x-rays or ultrasound imaging of the joints.

We tend to think of arthritis as an old persons condition, but Ian Stannard is only 33 so at what age can it develop?

Even children can develop inflammatory arthritis that looks exactly like rheumatoid, so it can happen from birth really. The most common ages are people in their 30s or 40s. It affects women more than men, but were now also seeing a form that appears in peoples 70s and that equally affects men and women. So all ages can be affected, and it affects around 1% of the population in the UK - there are more than 600,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the UK.

Is there anything that makes cyclists more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis? Or is there anything about cycling that aggravates it?

No, actually the evidence is that if you build the muscles around your joints and you use then a lot more, you can actually get better circulation and that helps to take away some of the accumulated toxins that your joints are producing. Your body is producing proteins that are telling your joints to get inflamed. But when you exercise youre actually taking the toxins away. So exercise is always very good.

What other steps can be taken to treat it?

There are lots of trials looking at diet modification using herbal remedies including turmeric and things such as that. There is some weak evidence that they will help your system because some foodstuffs do have naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties. But usually the treatment is fairly heavy immune suppression with a possible amount of steroids as well. For professional athletes, these arent anabolic steroids but they might cross-react, so it could be quite tricky for high-level athletes to use them.

Finally then, although its not a diagnosis anybody would want, the outlook for people with rheumatoid arthritis doesnt have to be bleak?

Absolutely. As long as we catch it early enough and begin treatment, it is possible to get it under control.

For more information about rheumatoid arthritis, visit Versus Arthritis,or the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society website,or call the NRAS helpline onHelpline number 0800 298 7650

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Rheumatoid arthritis and cycling: how to keep the inflammation at bay - road.cc

Woman's Doctor: Knowing the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis

Updated: 9:21 AM EST Nov 28, 2020

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LACEE: IN THIS MORNING'S WOMAN'S DOCTOR, KNOWING THE SYMPTOMS OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS, IT'S A DOUBLE WHAMMY OF AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS. NOT ONLY DO PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS MIMIC THOSE OF PSORIASIS, LIKE PATCHES OF RED, SCALY SKIN, BUT THEY CAN ALSO CAUSE THE PAINFUL, SWOLLEN JOINTS THAT ARE COMMON WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. THE SYMPTOMS CAN CHANGE FROM DAY TO DAY AND PERSON TO PERSON, MAKING PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS A PARTICULARLY TRICKY DISEASE TO DIAGNOSE AND MANAGE. MERCY MEDICAL CENTER DR. SADE YA KHAN SAYS THAT SYMPTOMS LEFT UNTREATED CAN LEAD TO PERMANENT JOINT DAMAGE. >> SYMPTOMS OF IT CAN BE INVOLVEMENT OF DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE SKELETON. IT COULD BE IN JOINT INVOLVEMENT, INCLUDING FINGERS AND FEET, WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED SMALL JOINTS. IT COULD INVOLVE LARGER JOINTS, INCLUDING HIPS AND SHOULDERS. AND SOMETIMES, IT CAN ALSO AFFECT SPINE. LACEE: JOINING US THIS MORNING FROM MERCY MEDICAL CENTER, DR. JOSEPH CIO TOLA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. >> GOOD MORNING. LACEE: THIS SEEMS LIKE A PAINFUL CONDITION. TELL ME ABOUT THE BEGINNING SYMPTOMS OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS. >> IT'S SIMILAR TO REGULAR ARTHRITIS. JUST INFLAMED AND SWOLLEN, VERY SORE JOINTS. THEY GET A LOT OF FLUID BUILT UP ON THEM SOMETIMES. WE MANAGE THEM WITH CORTISONE INJECTIONS AND RELIEVING THE INFLAMMATION. LACEE: IS THIS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS A CERTAIN GROUP MORE THAN OTHER? YOUNG OR OLD, MEN OR WOMEN? >> NO. NOT PARTICULARLY. IT CAN BE YOUNGER BECAUSE PSORIASIS CAN AFFECT YOUNGER PEOPLE. IT CAN AFFECT JOINTS AS WELL. LACEE: AT WHAT POINT IS IT TIME TO TALK TO A DOCTOR. IT CAN BE CONFUSED WITH PSORIASIS AT FIRST OR ARTHRITIS. >> WHEN SOMEBODY HAS PSORIASIS AND THEIR JOINTS BEGIN TO HURT, I THINK THAT'S THE TIME WHERE THEY NEED TO REALLY GET AGGRESSIVE WITH TREATING IT. LACEE: IN TERMS OF TREATMENT, WHERE DOES TREATMENT START FOR IT? >> IT STARTS WITH MANAGING THE INFLAMMATION. SO THEY WOULD SEE EITHER THEIR DERMATOLOGIST OR THEIR REGULAR PHYSICIAN TO GET ON ANTIINFLAMMATORY REGIMEN. AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE READY FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, WE BEGIN MANAGING IT BY CONTROLLING THE INFLAMMATION AT THE JOINT LEVEL WITH INJECTIONS. LACEE: WHAT KIND OF POSSIBLE SURGERY COULD THIS LEAD TO? >> IT LEADS TO JOINT REPLACEMENT. IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. WHEN THE CARTILAGE IS ERODED ENOUGH AND THE JOINT CAN'T RECOVER, WE REPLACE IT. LACEE: IS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN CURE? >> NO, IT'S JUST MANAGEMENT. IT'S MANAGEMENT OF THE INFLAMMATION. LACEE: WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? >> I MEAN, I THINK YOU WANT TO BE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. ANTIINFLAMMATORY DIET AND DOING THE BEST YOU CAN TO CONTROL SUGAR AND INFLAMMATORY PRODUCTS IN YOUR LIFE STYLE. BUT THAT'S REALLY ABOUT IT. LACEE: GOT TO STAY HEALTHY. >> IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN CURE. LACEE: THIS TIME OF YEAR IS HARD BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF SUGAR AND THAT STUFF IN FRONT OF US. THANKS FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR MORNING TO JOIN US. APPRECIATE

Woman's Doctor: Knowing the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis

Updated: 9:21 AM EST Nov 28, 2020

Psoriatic arthritis is a double-whammy of autoimmune disorders. Not only do psoriatic arthritis symptoms mimic those of psoriasis -- like patches of red, scaly skin -- but they can also cause the painful, swollen joints that are common with rheumatoid arthritis. Mercy Medical Center's Dr. Joseph Ciotola explains.

Psoriatic arthritis is a double-whammy of autoimmune disorders. Not only do psoriatic arthritis symptoms mimic those of psoriasis -- like patches of red, scaly skin -- but they can also cause the painful, swollen joints that are common with rheumatoid arthritis. Mercy Medical Center's Dr. Joseph Ciotola explains.

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Woman's Doctor: Knowing the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis - WBAL TV Baltimore

A novel outpatient procedure offers lasting pain relief for patients suffering from moderate to severe arthritis in their hip and shoulder joints.

According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, researchers said the procedure could help reduce reliance on addictive opiates.

People with moderate to severe pain related to osteoarthritis face limited treatment options. Common approaches like injections of anesthetic and corticosteroids into the affected joints grow less effective as the arthritis progresses and worsens.

Usually, over time patients become less responsive to these injections, said Felix M. Gonzalez, M.D., from the Radiology Department at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. The first anesthetic-corticosteroid injection may provide six months of pain relief, the second may last three months, and the third may last only a month. Gradually, the degree of pain relief becomes nonsignificant.

Without pain relief, patients face the possibility of joint replacement surgery. Many patients are ineligible for surgery because of health reasons, whereas many others choose not to go through such a major operation.

CHECK OUT: First Ever Study Shows Chair Yoga is Effective Arthritic Treatment

For those patients, the only other viable option may be opiate painkillers, which carry the risk of addiction.

Dr. Gonzalez and colleagues have been studying the application of a novel interventional radiology treatment known as cooled radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA) to achieve pain relief in the setting of advanced degenerative arthritis. The procedure involves the placement of needles where the main sensory nerves exist around the shoulder and hip joints. The nerves are then treated with a low-grade current known as radiofrequency that stuns them, slowing the transmission of pain to the brain.

For the new study, 23 people with osteoarthritis underwent treatment, including 12 with shoulder pain and 11 with hip pain that had become unresponsive to anti-inflammatory pain control and intra-articular lidocaine-steroid injections.

Treatment was performed two to three weeks after the patients received diagnostic anesthetic nerve blocks. The patients then completed surveys to measure their function, range of motion and degree of pain before and at three months after the ablation procedures.

There were no procedure-related complications, and both the hip and shoulder pain groups reported statistically significant decrease in the degree of pain with corresponding increase in dynamic function after the treatment.

In our study, the results were very impressive and promising, Dr. Gonzalez said. The patients with shoulder pain had a decrease in pain of 85%, and an increase in function of approximately 74%. In patients with hip pain, there was a 70% reduction in pain, and a gain in function of approximately 66%.

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The procedure offers a new alternative for patients who are facing the prospect of surgery. In addition, it can decrease the risk of opiate addiction.

This procedure is a last resort for patients who are unable to be physically active and may develop a narcotic addiction, Dr. Gonzalez said. Until recently, there was no other alternative for the treatment of patients at the end of the arthritis pathway who do not qualify for surgery or are unwilling to undergo a surgical procedure.

At last years RSNA annual meeting, Dr. Gonzalez presented similarly encouraging results from a study of a similar procedure for the treatment of knee arthritis. Together, the knee, shoulder and hip articulations account for approximately 95% of all arthritis cases.

The procedure could have numerous applications outside of treating arthritic pain, Dr. Gonzalez explained. Potential uses include treating pain related to diseases like cancer and sickle cell anemia-related pain syndrome, for example.

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Were just scratching the surface here, Dr. Gonzalez said. We would like to explore efficacy of the treatment on patients in other settings like trauma, amputations, and especially in cancer patients with metastatic disease.

Source:Radiological Society of North America

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Sufferers Living With Severe Arthritis Could be Given Lasting Pain Relief Thanks to a New Technique - Good News Network

Contributors: MLH, EAH, DN, BG, KHP, TU, GG, M, RvV designed the study and wrote the protocol. RvV, DN, MSH, EAH, Niels Steen Krogh, DG, SK, MLH developed the CRFs. MLH, EAH, AR, DN, MN, BG, JL, KHP, TU, GG, M, MSH, SK, JL, AKHE, KLG, MK, FF, RT, TL, GC, EBa, OH, DV, TSI, TH, MKAL, EBr, TE, AS, MR, RO, PL, LU, SAJ, DJS, TBL, GB, RvV contributed to the data collection and data cleaning. SK and Niels Steen Krogh did data management. JT and ICO conducted the statistical analyses. ICO and SK made the figures. MLH wrote the manuscript with input from all authors. All authors had access to the raw dataset and vouch for the veracity of the results. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript including the decision to submit the paper. MLH and RvV are guarantors of the overall content, accept full responsibility for the work and the conduct of the study, had access to the data, and controlled the decision to publish. The corresponding author attests that all listed authors meet authorship criteria and that no others meeting the criteria have been omitted.

Funding: Funding was obtained through public sources: Academy of Finland (grant No 258536), Finska Lkaresllskapet, grant from the South-Eastern Health Region, Norway, HUCH Institutional grant, Finland (grant No 1159005), Icelandic Society for Rheumatology, interregional grant from all health regions in Norway, NordForsk (grant No 70945), Regionernes Medicinpulje, Denmark (grant No 14/217), Stockholm County Council, Sweden (grant No 20100490), Swedish Medical Research Council (grant No C0634901, D0342301, 2015-00891_5), Swedish Rheumatism Association, The Research Fund of University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland (A2015017). UCB supported the work in the context of an investigator initiated study where UCB provided certolizumab pegol at no cost. UCB had no role in study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit for publication. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) provided abatacept at no cost. In addition, the Karolinska Institute received several unrestricted grants from BMS; these were subsequently transferred to the principal investigators of Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands to help defray various trial related costs at the local level. BMS had no role in study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit for publication. The final manuscript was provided for courtesy review to UCB and BMS in line with Good Publication Practice (GPP3). We confirm the independence of researchers from funders and that all authors, external and internal, had full access to all of the data (including statistical reports and tables) in the study and can take responsibility of the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at http://www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: support from Academy of Finland, Finska Lkaresllskapet, South-Eastern Health Region (Norway), HUCH (Finland), Icelandic Society for Rheumatology, all health regions in Norway, NordForsk, Regionernes Medicinpulje (Denmark), Stockholm County Council (Sweden), Swedish Medical Research Council, Swedish Rheumatism Association, The Research Fund of University Hospital (Reykjavik, Iceland) for the submitted work; MLH reports grants from Nordforsk, from Danske Regioner during the conduct of the study; grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb, grants from AbbVie, grants from Roche, grants from Novartis, grants and personal fees from Merck, grants and personal fees from Biogen, grants and personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Eli Lilly, personal fees from Orion Pharma, personal fees from CellTrion, personal fees from Samsung Bioepsi, personal fees from Janssen Biologics BV, personal fees from MSD, outside the submitted work; she chairs the steering committee of the Danish Rheumatology Quality Registry (DANBIO), which receives public funding from the hospital owners and funding from pharamaceutical companies; EAH reports grants from NORDFORSK, grants from the Norwegian Regional Health Authorities, grants from the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Janssen, personal fees from Gilead, personal fees from Eli-Lilly, personal fees from UCB, outside the submitted work; AR reports grants from the Swedish Research Council, financial support from AstraZeneca, outside the submitted work; DN reports grants from UCB, grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; grants from AbbVie, grants from Celgene, grants from MSD, grants from Novartis, grants from Pfizer outside the submitted work; MN reports grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; grants from Abbvie, grants from BMS, personal fees from Celltrion, grants from MSD, grants from Pfizer, personal fees from Eli Lilly, grants from Amgen, outside the submitted work; BG reports personal fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work; TU reports a grant from NORDFORSK during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Grnenthal, personal fees from Lilly, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Pfizer, outside the submitted work; M reports grants, personal fees and non-financial support from AbbVie, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from BMS, personal fees from Boehringer-Ingelheim, personal fees from Eli Lilly, personal fees and non-financial support from Janssen, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Merck, personal fees and non-financial support from Pfizer, personal fees and non-financial support from Roche, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from UCB, grants and personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Regeneron, grants, personal fees and non-financial support from Novartis, personal fees from Orion, personal fees from Hospira, outside the submitted work; MSH reports grants from the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Lilly, outside the submitted work; SK reports receiving grants from AbbVie, MSD and Novartis outside the submitted work; AKHE reports receiving personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from Pfizer, outside the submitted work; KLG reports grants from BMS, outside the submitted work; RT reports grants from Finnish Rheumatology Research Fund, during the conduct of the study; OH reports non-financial support from Pfizer, personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Novartis, during the conduct of the study; TSI reports non-financial support from DiaGraphIT, personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from BMS, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Medac, personal fees from Merck, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Orion Pharma, personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Roche, personal fees from Sandoz, personal fees from UCB, personal fees from Bohringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work; LU reports personal fees from Abbvie, Eli Lilly and Novartis (speaker fees), outside the submitted work; DJS reports grants from KLINBEFORSK, during the conduct of the study; TBL reports personal fees from UCB, outside the submitted work; GB reports personal fees from BMS, outside the submitted work; ABA reports personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Eli Lilly, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Pfizer, outside the submitted work; AB reports grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; CT reports grants and personal fees from Bristol Myers-Squibb, personal fees from Roche, personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Pfizer, outside the submitted work; HR reports personal fees from MSD, personal fees from Roche, personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Celgene, outside the submitted work; JR reports grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; JW reports fees from Celgene, fees from Eli Lilly, fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work; KM reports personal fees from Abbvie, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Medac, personal fees from BMS, outside the submitted work; OKS reports grants from the Research Committee of the Kuopio University Hospital Catchment Area for the State Research Funding, during the conduct of the study; non-financial support from Pfizer, non-financial support from Novartis, non-financial support from MSD, personal fees from Boeringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work; PP reports personal fees from Novartis Finland Oy, outside the submitted work; R reports personal fees from Bristol-Meyer Squibb, personal fees and non-financial support from AbbVie, personal fees from Gilead, personal fees from Janssen, personal fees from Eli-Lilly, personal fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work; SNC reports personal fees from Bristol Myers Squibb, personal fees from General Electric, outside the submitted work; SE reports personal fees from Novartis, outside the submitted work; TO reports personal fees from Eli Lilly, consultancy fee from Merck Sharp and Dohme, outside the submitted work; reports grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; grants from Roche, grants from Mylan, other from Abbvie, outside the submitted work; VR reports grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; grants from Roche, grants from Mylan, other from Abbvie, outside the submitted work; RvV reports grants from BMS, during the conduct of the study; grants from BMS, GSK, Lilly, UCB, grants from Pfizer, Roche, personal fees from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Biotest, Celgene, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, Servier, UCB, outside the submitted work; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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Active conventional treatment and three different biological treatments in early rheumatoid arthritis: phase IV investigator initiated, randomised,...

Known for his rock 'n' roll antics and attitude, Liam Gallagher may need to take better care of his health as he enters middle age. It was only last year when the star revealed he has arthritis in his hip.

Named as William John Paul Gallagher at birth, the 48-year-old has matured in the spotlight.

Twice divorced, and the father of four children, Liam did a candid interview with Q Magazine in June 2019.

It was there he stated he suffers from arthritis in his hip - a painful inflammatory condition.

Dad to Molly (22), Lennon (21), Gene (19) and Gemma (seven), Liam is still keen to maintain his rock 'n' roll image.

Due to his arthritis, he has developed calf pain he's been seeking treatment for.

Speaking about his acupuncture treatment, he said: "This geezer is mega, he doesnt f**k about.

"He gets the needles and whacks them in. He sorts it but it keeps coming back. Acupuncture is alright, at least its needles."

READ MORE:Coronavirus vaccine roll out priority: List outlines who in britain will get jab first

Another charity, Versus Arthritis, said: "Its common to have aches and pains in your muscles and joints from time to time.

"This may especially be true if you take part in unusual or strenuous physical activities."

This can make it difficult to identify the warning signs of arthritis, but the charity makes it crystal clear on how you can spot the disease early.

"If you have swelling or stiffness that you cant explain and that doesn't go away in a few days, or if it becomes painful to touch your joints, you should see a doctor," it advised.

If you're diagnosed with arthritis, you may be offered medical treatments.

In addition to medication, Versus Arthritis encourage sufferers to exercise.

"Exercise can make symptoms such as pain and swelling better," it certified.

Low-impact exercises are typically recommended, such as cycling, brisk walking, yoga, T'ai Chi and pilates.

Be aware that "some discomfort and pain" is expected when you exercise, but it "should calm down a few minutes after you finish".

However, "it's important to not overdo it" added the charity. "The key is to start off gently and to gradually increase the amount you do."

Physical activity also helps you to maintain a healthy weight (or achieve one), which can put less pressure on the joints.

This in turn can help relieve the painful effects of arthritis.

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Liam Gallagher health: Rockstar has arthritis in his hip- what is this condition? - Express

A recent grant to UAB researchers from a national organization will yield insight into telehealth and potentially increase patient access to rheumatic care.

Jeffrey Curtis, M.D.The need for virtual health care options has significantly increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic. UAB researchers and collaborators have received a two-year, $400,000 grant from the American College of Rheumatologys Rheumatology Research Foundation to support telehealth-delivered health care.

Jeffrey Curtis, M.D., professor of medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will use this grant to support the project Telehealth-delivered Healthcare to Improve Care THRIVE in community-practice rheumatology. The projects collaborators include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, CreakyJoints, a digital arthritis community for patients and caregivers worldwide, and its ArthritisPower research registry. The THRIVE projects primary investigator, Swamy Venuturupalli, M.D., is the recipient of this years ACRs Norman B. Gaylis, M.D., Clinical Research Award, and is slated to begin in January of 2021.

This grant is an exciting opportunity to identify and build best-in-class approaches to telehealth and to test specific strategies to assess patients with inflammatory arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, Curtis said. Clinical trials and routine patient care have been severely hampered by COVID-19-related perturbations in care delivery. We will scope and validate methods for disease activity assessment using telehealth-related technology, coupled with remote patient monitoring capabilities, including digitally captured, patient-reported outcome data.

The THRIVE project seeks to define, solidify and incorporate the best practices in telehealth rheumatology, disseminating these tools to community rheumatologists everywhere through a variety of channels.

The ultimate goal of this project is to increase patient access to care, expand the impact of rheumatology especially for those marginalized or most at risk by the COVID-19 pandemic and enable and improve the value of care provided by rheumatology providers in community settings through telehealth.

We are excited about the partnership between academia, community practitioners and arthritis patient communities, in what we expect to be a model paradigm for collaborative, practice-based research now and into the future, Curtis said.

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Rheumatology Research Foundation grant allows for advancement in telehealth - The Mix

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Key companies that are covered in this report:

Eli LillyRocheMerckNovartisAbbvieAmgenBristol Myers SquibbCelgene CorporationJanssenValeant Pharmaceuticals

*Note: Additional companies can be included on request

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By Application:

HospitalsClinicsAmbulatory Surgery CentersDiagnostic Laboratories

By Type:

KitsReagentsInstruments

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Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment Market To 2026: Growth Analysis By Manufacturers, Regions, Types And Applications - The Market Feed

BOULDER, Colo. The CBDMEDIC brand, now part of the Charlottes Web, Inc. family of hemp CBD wellness products, and an official Impact Sponsor for the Arthritis Foundation, announces its matching funds campaign for Giving Tuesday. On Dec. 2nd CBDMEDIC will match individual donations made to the Arthritis Foundation up to a total sum of $50,000.

To those on Giving Tuesday who donate $50 or more to the Arthritis Foundation, CBDMEDIC will ship a free thank you gift of its Arthritis Aches and Pain Relief Cream, a retail value of $39.99 The Arthritis Foundation continues to pursue a cure for Americas number one cause of disability, and provides advocacy, community connections, and educational resources to those battling arthritis. The Giving Tuesday donations and CBDMEDIC matching funds donation will support scientific research, legislation and life-improvement programs led by the Arthritis Foundation. CBDMEDIC is the only hemp CBD brand to be approved and serve as an Arthritis Foundation Impact Sponsor.

According to GivingTuesday.org, last year more than 13% of the U.S. population participated in Giving Tuesday raising $511M online to support thousands of nonprofits. To participate in the CBDMEDICs Giving Tuesday Matching Funds Campaign donors may link here beginning at midnight Dec. 1 through midnight Dec. 2, 2020.

The Arthritis Foundation is leading the charge to find solutions that make a life-changing impact for people with arthritis. Partnering with CBDMEDIC helps bring greater awareness around the challenges of living with arthritis, which includes managing chronic pain, said Rick Willis, Senior Vice President, Community Engagement. We appreciate their commitment to providing the arthritis community with topical alternatives for temporary pain relief.

Especially in these uncertain times, due to the pandemic, it is vitally important that businesses and their brands step up and support nonprofits like the Arthritis Foundation this Giving Tuesday, said Deanie Elsner, CEO of Charlottes Web, Inc. Our CBDMEDIC brand is offering $50,000 in matching funds so that the Arthritis Foundations work in scientific research and advocacy can continue to benefit the millions of Americans suffering from arthritis. This is also a part of our Charlottes Web mission to help people heal through compassion and science. We encourage everyone who is able to do so to give this Giving Tuesday to the Arthritis Foundation.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 22.7% of adults in US have doctor-diagnosed arthritis (or one in four adults). And, About 43.5% (or 23.7 million) of people with arthritis (54.4 million) have limitations in their daily activities due to their arthritis.

CBDMEDIC is now part of the Charlottes Web family of hemp-derived CBD brands sold online <https://www.charlottesweb.com/cbd-medic>, as well as in more than 4,500 retail stores, according to Nielsen data (9/5/2020). CBDMEDIC top-selling products for those suffering from the symptoms of arthritis, as well as pain and inflammation, include its Back & Neck Pain Relief Ointment, Arthritis Aches & Pain Relief Ointment, Arthritis Aches & Pains Hand Cream, Active Sport Pain Relief Stick, Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Spray and Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Ointment.

Find out more about CBDMEDIC topical pain relief products.

About the Arthritis Foundation:The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. The Arthritis Foundations goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life and making each day another stride toward a cure. Visit arthritis.org to learn more.

About CBDMEDICLaunched in 2019 and now sold in more than 4,500 retail stores, the CBDMEDIC brand offers a line of 15 THC-free and hemp-derived CBD topical pain relief products that provide revolutionary pain relief. CBDMEDIC products combine naturally derived pain-relieving pharmaceutical ingredients along with natural emollients (skin softening ingredients) and essential oils, and THC-free hemp extract to create unique formulations for fast and effective relief. CBDMEDIC formulations combine advanced science with organic and natural ingredients to provide safe relief. CBDMEDIC products are offered across the United States and are produced by a contract manufacturer in a cGMP compliant and audited manufacturing facility.

About Charlottes Web Holdings, Inc.Charlottes Web Holdings, Inc., a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Boulder, Colo., is the market leader in the production and distribution of innovative hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) wellness products under a family of brands which includes Charlottes Web, CBD Medic, CBD Clinic, and Harmony Hemp. The Companys premium quality products start with proprietary hemp genetics that are 100-percent American farm grown and manufactured into whole-plant hemp extracts containing a full spectrum of naturally occurring phytocannabinoids including CBD, CBC, CBG, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial hemp compounds. Charlottes Web product categories include CBD oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD gummies (sleep, stress, inflammation recovery), CBD capsules, CBD topical creams and lotions, as well as CBD pet products for dogs. Charlottes Web is the number one CBD brand in the USA and distributed through more than 22,000 retail locations, select distributors and online through the Companys website at http://www.CharlottesWeb.com.

Charlottes Web was founded by the Stanley Brothers with a mission to unleash the healing powers of botanicals through compassion and science, benefiting the planet and all who live upon it. Charlottes Web is a socially and environmentally conscious company and is committed to using business as a force for good and a catalyst for innovation. The Company weighs sound business decisions with consideration for how its efforts affect employees, customers, the environment, and diverse communities. The rate the Company pays for agricultural products reflects a fair and sustainable rate driving higher quality yield, encouraging regenerative farming practices, and supporting U.S. farming communities. Management believes that its socially oriented and environmentally responsible actions have a positive impact on its customers, suppliers, employees and stakeholders. Charlottes Web donates a portion of its pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations.

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CBDMEDIC to Match $50000 in Funds for Arthritis Foundation on Giving - CBD Today

You have one sacroiliac (SI) joint on either side of your body where your ilium and sacrum bones join together. Your sacrum is the wide, flat bone between your tailbone and lumbar spine. Your ilium is often referred to as your hip bone.

Unlike many other joints like your knee or elbow, your SI joint moves very little and is held together with thick ligaments. Sudden injuries or repetitive stress can cause the SI joint to become inflamed and painful. You may feel this pain in your buttocks or lower back.

Sitting for extended periods of time can lead to pain in your SI joint or aggravate existing pain. However, certain positions are less likely to cause pain than others.

Keep reading to learn the best sitting, standing, and lying positions if youre dealing with SI joint pain.

The ligaments in your SI joint help transfer force between your trunk and your leg when performing activities like walking or running. If youre dealing with SI joint pain, sitting in positions that put these ligaments under tension may lead to further pain and irritation.

When sitting in a chair, you should aim to keep your hips neutral to avoid excess stress on the ligaments in your SI joint. Think about keeping your hips level with each other and avoid rotating more to one side.

Avoid positions that hike one hip higher or put create an asymmetry in your hips, such as when you cross your legs.

Heres how you can sit with good posture to help manage SI joint pain:

The tailors position is another option for keeping your pelvis neutral and reducing stress on the ligaments on your SI joint. You should focus on keeping your hips symmetrical.

If sitting is giving you pain, you may want to alternate between sitting and standing. If youre using a standing desk, heres how you can set it up:

Chair exercises and stretches may help you reduce pain and stiffness around your SI joint and help strengthen muscles around the joint.

This simple seated backbend stretch may help you reduce lower back stiffness.

The seated cat-cow stretches and strengthens the muscles in your back and core.

A seated torso stretch is an easy way to mobilize your spine.

The seated hamstring stretch helps you loosen your hamstrings and may help alleviate pain from muscle imbalances.

If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, finding a comfortable office chair may help you reduce SI joint pain. You should look for:

No matter what chair youre sitting in, its a good idea to take frequent breaks from sitting about every 30 minutes.

Many people with SI joint pain find that it gets worse when they stand for extended periods of time.

Standing with good posture can help keep your spine in alignment and may help you manage your SI joint pain. When standing:

Its generally best to avoid sleeping on your stomach if youre dealing with neck or back pain. Sleeping on your stomach puts more stress on your spine. If you do sleep on your stomach, try putting a pillow beneath your abdomen.

If youre having SI joint pain on one side, you may want to sleep on your opposite side to take your weight off the joint. Putting a pillow between your knees and ankles can help put your hips in alignment.

Another sleeping posture to take the stress off your SI joint is to sleep on your back with one or two pillows under your knees to put your hips in a neutral posture.

If youre dealing with SI joint pain, you should aim to sit with your hips neutral and with your lower back relaxed and supported. If your chair doesnt provide support, you can put a pillow or cushion behind your lower back.

Even if you sit with perfect posture, taking frequent breaks about every 30 minutes is important.

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How to Sit with SI Joint Pain: Posture and Seated Exercises - Healthline

High disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is correlated with depression and anxiety, according to study results published in RMD Open. Depression and anxiety were also found to be more prevalent among patients with poor self-reported functional status.

The Scottish Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (SERA) inception cohort included patients with new-onset RA who received care at rheumatology centers in Scotland between 2011 and 2015. Baseline demographic and clinical data of patients were collected within 6 months of RA diagnosis, with follow-up visits conducted after 6 and 12 months.

The primary study outcome was depression and anxiety symptoms, measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Exposures of interest included disease activity, functional status, and laboratory parameters. Disease activity was measured using the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) and the patient global assessment visual analog scale (PGA-VAS); functional status was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, rheumatoid factor positivity, and anticyclic citrullinated peptides status were also recorded. Multivariable linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between anxiety and depression scores and various demographic and clinical variables.

The study cohort included 848 patients with RA (mean age, 58.2713.71 years; mean DAS28 score, 4.951.41), among whom 70.0% were women. At 6 and 12 months, follow-up data of 691 and 618 participants with RA, respectively, were available for evaluation.

No significant differences in depression or anxiety symptoms were observed between patients who continued follow-up and those who dropped out of the study. The baseline prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher among patients with early RA vs healthy individuals (19.0% vs 1.7% and 12.2% vs 1.75; P =.0002 and P =.009, respectively). However, prevalence of anxiety and depression in early RA decreased to 13.4% and 8.1%, respectively, at 12 months. Depression and anxiety scores were significantly positively associated with DAS28 at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months (all P <.001).

Multivariable linear regression models showed that baseline anxiety was associated with younger age (P =.001) and higher HAQ score (P <.0001). Anxiety at the 6-month follow-up was negatively correlated with body mass index (P =.015) and positively associated with baseline anxiety (P <.0001), current HAQ score (P =.006), and higher current PGA-VAS score (P =.008). Similar associations were observed at 12 months.

Baseline depression was associated with younger age (P =.029), being single at the time of measurement (P =.022), and a higher current HAQ score (P <.001). Depression at 6 months was associated with higher baseline depression (P <.0001) and anxiety (P =.002) scores, higher current HAQ score (P <.0001), and greater current CRP levels (P =.009). The same associations persisted at 12 months. At 6 months only, men were more likely than women to have depression.

These results suggested that anxiety and depression were prevalent in early RA, particularly among those with greater disease activity and poorer self-reported functioning. Although anxiety and depression rates appeared to decrease during follow-up, they were still reported at rates higher than those observed in the general population.

The primary study limitation included the fact that more than 200 participants had been lost to follow-up by 12 months. In addition, data were only available at 6-month intervals, which prevented a more precise assessment of mood during all timepoints.

Our study indicates that clinicians should be alert to neuro-psychiatric comorbidity in RA from the earliest stages of the disease, the researchers wrote. [I]t remains to be determined whether more intense screening and treatment for psychiatric comorbiditiescan improve outcomes.

Disclosure: The SERA cohort was supported by Pfizer Inc. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

Reference

Fragoulis GE, Cavanagh J, Tindell A, et al. Depression and anxiety in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort. associations with demographic, socioeconomic and disease features. RMD Open. 2020 Oct;6(3):e001376.

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Depression and Anxiety Associated With Disease Activity, Functional Status in Early RA - Rheumatology Advisor

Objective:To estimate the annual cost associated with obstetric events in women of reproductive age with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, from the perspective of the National Healthcare System.

Methods:A cost-analysis was developed to estimate the impact associated with obstetric events in women of reproductive age with psoriasis (PSO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The analysis considered complications during fertility and conception, in pregnancy and in the postpartum. All parameters were validated and agreed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Unitary costs (, 2019) were obtained from national, local databases.

Results:During fertility and conception, an annual cost per patient of 229 was estimated for a preconception consultation in a patient with PSO, of 3,642 for a preconception consultation in patients with PsA, RA and axSpA and 4,339 for assisted reproduction. Women with complications in pregnancy had an annual cost per patient of 1,214 for a miscarriage in the first trimester, 4,419 for a late miscarriage in the second trimester, 11,260 for preeclampsia 3,188 for restricted intrauterine growth and 12,131 for threat of premature delivery. In the postpartum, an annual cost per patient of 120,364, 44,709, and 5,507 were estimated associated with admissions to neonatology of premature infants of <28, 28-32 and 33-37 weeks, respectively.

Conclusions:This analysis provides insight on the economic burden of complications associated with women of reproductive age for immune-mediated diseases (PSO, PsA, RA, axSpA). Individualization of treatment, additional and close monitoring may reduce the risk and burden of these complications.

Keywords:Anlisis de costes; Complicaciones materno-fetales; Cost-analysis; Enfermedades reumticas; Espaa; Eventos obsttricos; Maternal-foetal complications; Obstetric events; Rheumatic diseases; Spain.

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Economic Impact of Obstetric Events on Women of Reproductive Age Living With Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Axial Spondyloarthritis and...

This article was originally published here

Rheumatol Int. 2020 Nov 30:1-10. doi: 10.1007/s00296-020-04751-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nationwide lockdowns during SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) can compromise mental health and psychological wellbeing and limit opportunities for physical activity (PA), particularly in clinical populations, such as people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who are considered at risk for COVID-19 complications. This study aimed to investigate associations between PA and sedentary time (ST) with indicators of mental health and wellbeing in RA during COVID-19 lockdown, and examine the moderation effects of self-isolating. 345 RA patients completed an online questionnaire measuring PA (NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study Questionnaire), ST (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form), pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), depressive and anxious symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and vitality (Subjective Vitality Scale) during the United Kingdom COVID-19 lockdown. Associations between PA and ST with mental health and wellbeing were examined using hierarchical multiple linear regressions. Light PA (LPA) was significantly negatively associated with mental fatigue ( = .11), depressive symptoms ( = .14), and positively with vitality ( = .13). Walking was negatively related to physical fatigue ( = .11) and depressive symptoms ( = .12) and positively with vitality ( = .15). Exercise was negatively associated with physical ( = .19) and general ( = .12) fatigue and depressive symptoms ( = .09). ST was positively associated with physical fatigue ( = .19). Moderation analyses showed that LPA was related to lower mental fatigue and better vitality in people not self-isolating, and walking with lower physical fatigue in people self-isolating. These findings show the importance of encouraging PA for people with RA during a lockdown period for mental health and wellbeing.

PMID:33258004 | PMC:PMC7703721 | DOI:10.1007/s00296-020-04751-w

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Different types of physical activity are positively associated with indicators of mental health and psychological wellbeing in rheumatoid arthritis...

There are very few things that bring more joy in our lives than having a pet dog. If youre a pet parent, you must be already familiar with the fantastic health benefits of having a dog at home. Also, house pets have a positive impact on your mental well-being and can even help you cope with grief and loneliness. Once they become a part of your family, its your responsibility to care for them.

If we could have our way, wed want our canine companions to be a part of our lives forever. But, unfortunately, theyre going to grow old and become fragile and weak. Activities that once happened naturally, such as jumping down the stair and running around in the park, are going to need more effort. On top of that, your dog might become susceptible to various chronic diseases.

Canine osteoarthritis, a chronic condition, can cause extreme pain and discomfort to your dog. It affects at least 20% of dogs whore over one-year-old. While theres no way to completely cure canine arthritis, theres a lot you can do to help your dog when theyre in pain.

In this blog, well dive deeper into the topic of canine arthritis and understand what causes it. Well also outline the signs and symptoms you should watch out for, as well as recommend a few pain management techniques. Lets get started.

Canine arthritis is a chronic ailment that causes stiffness and joint pain in dogs. It happens when the cartilage tissue protecting the bones in a joint starts degenerating. In a healthy joint, the cartilage between the bones is lubricated with a fluid. This prevents the bones from coming in direct contact and rubbing together.

If the cartilage tissue starts decaying as a result of an injury or old age, the bones come in direct contact with each other. As the bones rub together, it causes extreme pain and inflammation in the joints. It can also result in the growth of new bones (called osteophytes) that further intensify the pain.

Moreover, when the cartilage cells degenerate, they release certain enzymes that cause inflammation of the joints. It also leads to excessive fluid buildup in the joints. All these factors amplify the pain and can even result in mobility issues as well as muscular atrophy.

While canine osteoarthritis can affect dogs of any age and breed, there are a few potential risk factors such as:

There isnt much you can do to prevent your dog from developing a chronic ailment like arthritis. However, the earlier you notice their symptoms and consult a veterinarian, the better their quality of life will be.

As a dog parent, here are a few signs and symptoms you should watch out for:

Its worth mentioning here that dogs are often very adept at hiding their pain. Thats why you need to be extra cautious and start paying attention to their gait and posture the moment you notice any signs of pain in your dog.

Unfortunately, canine arthritis is an irreversible degenerative disease. Once the cartilage cells start dying, theres no way to regenerate them and make the joints healthy again. Having said that, you can use a wide array of pain-relieving techniques to help dogs with osteoarthritis.

Here are a few things you can do to help your dog if they develop osteoarthritis:

The key to managing canine arthritis is to minimize pain and inflammation in the joints. A non-steroidal inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as Previcox, treats arthritic pain in dogs by reducing inflammation. However, the symptoms of canine arthritis overlap with those of several other ailments.

Your dog might just be in pain because of a bone injury. Or the symptoms could be an indication of a more serious disease such as cancer. Thats why it is important to first consult your vet and ask for a suitable treatment plan.

Typically, the doctor will conduct a physical exam of your dogs body. Theyll also likely recommend an X-ray of the limbs. Depending on whether they detect signs of arthritis, theyll recommend the course of treatment.

Consult your vet to create a balanced and nourishing diet plan thats rich in anti-inflammatory and whole foods such as turmeric, ginger, fatty fishes, and leafy vegetables. You could also consider including Omega-3 supplements in their diet. Make sure you avoid inflammatory and unhealthy foods that could trigger more pain.

If your dog is in pain, theyll become unwilling to go on walks or engage in regular physical activities. However, they dont get adequate exercise; theyll likely put on more weight, potentially becoming obese, and developing more pain. Make sure you talk to your vet and work out a less taxing exercise routine for your dog.

Depending on your dogs age and physical health, the vet might suggest pain-relieving therapies such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, etc. These techniques can go a long to alleviate the pain and improve your four-legged friends overall quality of life.

Recent studies have also shown that CBD oil can help relieve arthritic pain in dogs. However, it could also have potential side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders. Make sure you consult your vet and ask them to prescribe the suitable dosage for your dog.

Have you used any other pain management techniques to help an arthritic dog? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

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Canine arthritis Its a real thing that pet parents need to be prepared for - TechEngage

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In mouse study, loss of molecule contributes to disease while surplus reduces symptoms

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found, working in mice, that when the FoxO1 gene is knocked out, the animals develop osteoarthritis. But when levels of the FoxO1 molecule are increased, the animals exhibit less cartilage damage.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common problems associated with aging, and although there are therapies to treat the pain that results from the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions joints, there are no available therapies to modify the course of the disease.

However, working in a mouse model of the disorder, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a molecule previously linked to diabetes, cancer and muscle atrophy also seems to be involved in the development of osteoarthritis and may be a useful treatment target.

When the gene involved, FoxO1, is knocked out in mice, the animals develop osteoarthritis. But when the researchers increase the levels of the FoxO1 molecule in mice that are developing osteoarthritis, the animals exhibit less cartilage damage.

The study is available online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Osteoarthritis, or joint degeneration, is a disease that affects more than 32 million people in the U.S. alone but that does not have a medical therapy to alter its progression, said senior investigator Regis J. OKeefe, MD, PhD, the Fred C. Reynolds Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. A better understanding of the fundamental processes involved in osteoarthritis and the degeneration of cartilage is required if were going to be more successful in treating this very common and very expensive disorder.

OKeefe said that commonly, people with osteoarthritis have suffered knee injuries that damaged the knees meniscus. Over time, arthritis then can develop in the joint.

Unlike skin or bone or other organs that can regenerate in response to injury, cartilage has very little regenerative potential, he said.

However, when the mice in these experiments had elevated levels of the FoxO1 molecule, osteoarthritiss progress was slowed or even reversed. The researchers believe the molecule interferes with cartilage damage and the development of arthritis by enhancing a process called autophagy in the arthritic joint. Autophagy is the bodys way of clearing out damaged tissue. In these experiments, the researchers found that autophagy was disrupted in the mice with reduced levels of FoxO1 and that the process was enhanced in animals with higher levels of the molecule.

In other words, maintaining a higher level of autophagy seemed to be beneficial to maintaining these cartilage cells and, thus, maintaining a healthy knee joint, said co-corresponding author Jie Shen, PhD, an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery.

OKeefe said that raises the possibility of delivering FoxO1 to arthritic joints through nanotechnology as a way to regulate autophagy and keep joints healthier.

In mice with injuries that typically progress to become osteoarthritis, the knee joints still appear normal about a week after injury, OKeefe explained. But when we measure autophagy in the cartilage after injury to those same knee joints, although the joints themselves look fine, the autophagy process already is shut off. The injury completely turns it off, and once autophagy is off, the cartilage begins to degenerate.

He said if FoxO1 can alter that process in people, protecting cartilage from damage as it does in mice, it eventually may be possible to prevent or delay millions of future knee and hip replacement surgeries.

Wang C, Shen J, Ying J, Xiao D, OKeefe RJ. FoxO1 is a crucial mediator of TGFB/TAK1 signaling and protects against osteoarthritis by maintaining articular cartilage homeostasis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nov. 16, 2020.

This work was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Grant numbers R01 AR069605, T32 AR060719 and P30 AR057235.

Washington University School of Medicines 1,500 faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, ranking among the top 10 medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.

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Gene that protects against osteoarthritis identified Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - Washington University School of Medicine...

Jennifer May, M.D., Prairie Doc Published 9:33 p.m. CT Dec. 3, 2020

Jennifer May, M.D.(Photo: Submitted)

As a rheumatologist, I often get the question, What do you do? According to my kids, their mom does something with joints. At the conclusion of patient visits, when I propose a diagnosis such as polymyalgia rheumatica or PMR, I often hear, What is that? The fact is most people do not think about rheumatology until they need a rheumatologist. And then, learning the lingo about disease, medications, and lab monitoring can be a challenge.

Rheumatology is a relatively new specialty in the world of medicine. Focus on the disease in America began in the early 1920s with initial definition and discovery, followed by the famous breakthrough of cortisone at Mayo Clinic in 1950, and grew to a deeper scientific understanding of arthritis diseases today. Treatments have progressed from cortisone and aspirin to immune system modification with biologic medications. Future therapies will involve genetics, engineering new cartilage, and creating cells that rheumatologists will command to do our bidding upon the immune system.

Today we work to manage autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus with medications that adjust the immune system response. Symptoms that can occur in association with some of these diseases are rashes, joint swelling, fevers, lung problems, and kidney issues. By adjusting the immune system, we can change the symptoms, hopefully lessening their impact on the patient.

In our fast-paced world, we often want answers and quick solutions to our problems. However, rheumatology cases require persistence. There are no blood tests that specifically diagnose the problem. Rheumatologists must take time to talk with and examine the patient. We gather additional information from labs tests, studies, and x-rays. Once all the data is available, sometimes the condition is clear. But other times, the case is more challenging and requires several visits before making a firm diagnosis.

Like most health providers, I enjoy solving patient problems and making a diagnosis. We get satisfaction from figuring things out and our reward comes when a treatment improves a patients function or quality of life. Our goal in rheumatology is to help patients achieve remission, or better yet, to predict who is likely to get rheumatoid arthritis in hopes of preventing it from starting in the first place.

So, when patients look at me with that expression that asks rheuma-what?, they dont necessarily want to hear about the science of what I do. Instead, I assure them that we will keep working together with the same goal: To get the immune system to quiet down, and help the patient feel better so they can get back to life.

Jennifer May, M.D. is a contributing Prairie Doc columnist. She practices rheumatology in Rapid City. Prairie Doc can be seenon SDPB most Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Read or Share this story: https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/brandon/2020/12/03/learning-what-rheumatologist/3820369001/

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Learning what it is to be a rheumatologist - Argus Leader

December 1 is Giving Tuesday, a holiday created to highlight nonprofits and other organizations that work locally and globally to spread generosity and giving. The movement began in New York City in 2012 and has since flourished into an international event. The movement continues to grow in year-over-year donation volume, reach, and impactdriving increased donations and behavior change, said GivingTuesday.org.

In 2019, at least $1.97 billion were donated in 24 hours [during Giving Tuesday] in the U.S. alone, with 13 percent of the adult population participating in some waya record-setting day. Around the world, the majority of people aware of Giving Tuesday say that it has inspired them to be more generous, the nonprofit added.

Its hard to quantify or overestimate the power of goodwill, particularly this year when the holidays will be so different, for so many. A gesture of kindness, big or small, can make a lot of difference to a friend or co-worker, neighbors or children, or those less fortunateits the joy of giving that warms the heart and makes memories for years to come.

This year, which is like no other in our lifetime, is a real game-changer for charities and the people they benefit, though. Its a diverse cross-section of Americansincluding cannabis industry memberswho keep giving. And thank goodness for that, because this year every dollar counts. The help you give will be warmly appreciated and rememberedso, give until it feels good.

Vape manufacturer PAX Labs partnered with nonprofit Last Prisoner Project to host a fundraiser benefiting more than 40,000-plus people in prison for cannabis offenses. Today and tomorrow, December 12, 2020, every donation of $25 or more will be entered to win one of twenty free PAX 3 Complete Kit cannabis vaporizers.

The PAX fundraiser directly benefits LPP, which recently helped win clemency for Americas longest serving, non-violent cannabis offender, Richard DeLisi. Anyone who would like to donate for a chance to win one of the free PAX vape kits (or any amount) should visit PAX Giving Tuesday.

Edibles manufacturer MONDO Meds is offering a free jar of its CBD-infused powder supplement to firefighters, healthcare, and government workers. Each 4-ounce jar contains 150mg CBD in a rich, powdered formula that can be added to beverages or food. Front line workers may contact [emailprotected] to request a free jar ($40.00 MSRP), when they email a picture of their government ID and best delivery address.

With many essential workers serving on the front lines of multiple natural disasters and experiencing so much anxiety and stress, CBD brands are also making contributions aimed at showing appreciation to these heroes.

As an official Impact Sponsor for the Arthritis Foundation, Charlottes Webs CBDMEDIC brand will match individual donations made to the Arthritis Foundation on Giving Tuesday up to a total sum of $50,000. Those who donate $50 or more will receive a gift of CBDMEDICs Arthritis Aches and Pain Relief Cream.

Especially in these uncertain times, due to the pandemic, it is vitally important that businesses and their brands step up and support nonprofits like the Arthritis Foundation this Giving Tuesday, said Charlottes Web Chief Executive Officer Deanie Elsner, We encourage everyone who is able to do so to give this Giving Tuesday to the Arthritis Foundation.

If you would like to donate to the Arthritis Foundation as part of the CBDMEDIC fundraiser click here for more information.

Etain Health, New Yorks only family-run, women-owned and operated, medical marijuana company and lifestyle brand Buy Weed From Women (BWFW) have teamed up for a fundraiser to benefit the Food Bank for New York, a nonprofit that has been working to end food poverty in New Yorks five boroughs for over 36 years.

The collaboration between Etain and BWFW has resulted in the Goods Box, a limited edition collection featuring BWFW merchandise including a long-sleeve tee and face covering and more good surprises. The box goes on sale December 3, at EtainHealth.com and proceeds will benefit the food bank.

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December 1 is Giving Tuesday, a holiday created to highlight nonprofits and other organizations that work - mg Magazine

The Global Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Drugs Market analysis report published on dataintelo is a detailed study of market size, share and dynamics covered in XX pages and is an illustrative sample demonstrating market trends. This is a latest report, covering the current COVID-19 impact on the market. The pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected every aspect of life globally. This has brought along several changes in market conditions. The rapidly changing market scenario and initial and future assessment of the impact is covered in the report. It covers the entire market with an in-depth study on revenue growth and profitability. The report also delivers on key players along with strategic standpoint pertaining to price and promotion.

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Global Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Drugs Market Size & Share, by ProductsOralInjectionExternal

Global Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Drugs Market Size & Share, ApplicationsMedical CarePersonal Care

Key PlayersAbbVieRocheJohnson & JohnsonAmgen, Inc.PfizerMerckBristol-Myers SquibbUCBGlaxoSmithKlineSanofiAbbott LaboratoriesTeva Pharmaceutical

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Drugs Market 2020 Industry Size, Trends, Global Growth, Insights And Forecast Research Report 2025 - Murphy's Hockey Law

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market grew in 2019, as compared to 2018, according to our report, Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market is likely to have subdued growth in 2020 due to weak demand on account of reduced industry spending post Covid-19 outbreak. Further, Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market will begin picking up momentum gradually from 2021 onwards and grow at a healthy CAGR between 2021-2025

Deep analysis about market status (2016-2019), competition pattern, advantages and disadvantages of products, industry development trends (2019-2025), regional industrial layout characteristics and macroeconomic policies, industrial policy has also been included. From raw materials to downstream buyers of this industry have been analysed scientifically. This report will help you to establish comprehensive overview of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market

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The Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market is analysed based on product types, major applications and key players

Key product type:Serology TestsMonitoring RA Treatment Efficiency Tests

Key applications:Diagnostic LaboratoriesAmbulatory Surgical CentersHospitals

Key players or companies covered are:AbbottBeckman CoulterEuro DiagnosticaRocheQiagenSiemens HealthcareThermo Fisher ScientificBio Rad LaboratoriesAviva Systems Biology

The report provides analysis & data at a regional level (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa , Rest of the world) & Country level (13 key countries The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, Japan, India, Middle East, Africa, South America)

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Key questions answered in the report:1. What is the current size of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market, at a global, regional & country level?2. How is the market segmented, who are the key end user segments?3. What are the key drivers, challenges & trends that is likely to impact businesses in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market?4. What is the likely market forecast & how will be Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market impacted?5. What is the competitive landscape, who are the key players?6. What are some of the recent M&A, PE / VC deals that have happened in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market?

The report also analysis the impact of COVID 19 based on a scenario-based modelling. This provides a clear view of how has COVID impacted the growth cycle & when is the likely recovery of the industry is expected to pre-covid levels.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Tests Market by Analysis, Market Dynamics, Regions, Consumption, Production, Suppliers and Forecast 2026 - Cheshire...

LOGAN Genetically engineered golden Syrian hamsters developed by Utah State University researchers played a key role in animal trials of a possible vaccine to protect against the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Rega Institute in Leuven, Belgium, has used the hamsters produced by professor Zhongde Wang and his lab at USU to test the safety and effectiveness of a possible vaccine.

Details of the research conducted by the Rega Institute and its findings were published online in the journal Nature this week.

The candidate vaccine was found to be safe and effective in several animal models by a team of scientists at the institute.

Animal models play a vital role in vaccine research "because we cannot directly test them in humans. We need to use animal models, (it's) very critical," Wang said.

Wang said two pairs of hamsters were shipped to the Belgium lab in 2018 to start a breeding colony in an agreement with his lab.

"The scientists in my lab and I are very gratified that our research is contributing to combating this raging COVID-19 pandemic," Wang said in a statement.

"We also feel grateful for the excellent support from USU's Laboratory Animal Research Center to help us to carry out the research."

The Wang lab, established at USU in 2012, developed the first genetic hamster models in the world. The models are used in more than a dozen labs and institutions including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, and Public Health Agency of Canada.

Hamsters from Wang's lab are also utilized in COVID-19 and other studies in USU's Institute for Antiviral Research.

"We pioneered development of genetic engineering techniques in this species and now we have about 30 different models. These are 30 different genetic modifications," Wang said in an interview Wednesday,

Typically, rodents carry many disease-causing organisms without becoming sick. The USU lab genetically engineered the golden Syrian hamsters to be susceptible to viruses that infect humans.

Viruses frequently attach to receptors in humans that are not present in animals, which limits effective testing of potential drugs to prevent or treat diseases. Hamsters from Wang's lab have a human gene inserted into their DNA for the receptor to which this coronavirus binds to facilitate testing, according to a university press release.

Because the hamsters are designed specifically to react to disease challenges more like humans, it takes fewer experiments to verify results, which expedites the process and can reduce numbers of animals used in research.

"We take animal welfare extremely seriously, and only the minimum numbers of animals required are used," said Wang, a professor in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, in an article posted on a university website.

"In addition to that, all procedures are approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. It is essential to use these animals in vaccine studies before trials can be done in human subjects."

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Hamsters genetically engineered by USU researchers are on the front lines of COVID-19 vaccine trials in Belgium - KSL.com

Combining metabolic intervention with T-cell immunotherapy is safe and resulted in improved efficacy in two mouse models of solid tumors, providing an alternative combination strategy for boosting solid tumor immunotherapy, according to a new study by scientists at China Pharmaceutical University (CPU).

The study proves the concept of cell-surface anchor-bioengineering, which can be readily adapted to other combinations of cell therapy and metabolic drugs and/or antibodies, the authors reported in the November 25, 2020, edition of Science Translational Medicine.

"We have constructed a cell-surface anchor-bioengineered T cell combining metabolic and T-cell therapy, then shown this strategy be safe and effective against solid tumors in mice," said lead researcher Can Zhang, a professor in the Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials at CPU in Nanjing.

T-cell therapy has achieved considerable clinical and preclinical success in treating hematologic malignancies, but has had limited therapeutic effects in solid tumors.

Most studies have focused on combining proinflammatory cytokines or immune checkpoint inhibitors with T cells to improve efficacy, but that approach is effective only in a fraction of patients, and has toxicity risks.

The oxygen- and nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment has been shown to impede T-cell infiltration, survival, and function, limiting the benefit of solid tumor T-cell therapy.

T-cell metabolic pathways offer potential intervention targets. For example, T-cell function requires cell membrane cholesterol to cluster T-cell receptors (TCRs) and form an immune synapse. Cholesterol metabolic modulation plus T-cell therapy may thus improve solid tumor immunotherapy.

Avasimibe is an effective cholesterol acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) inhibitor, which increases plasma membrane cholesterol, thereby promoting TCR clustering and improving T-cell effector function.

"ACAT1 is the major enzyme of cholesterol esterification in CD8+ T cells, and it has recently been shown that inhibiting ACAT1 activity via avasimibe can significantly potentiate the effector function of these T cells," said Zhang.

Moreover, "avasimide has previously progressed to phase III trials in atherosclerosis patients, in whom it showed a good safety profile," she told BioWorld Science.

This established safety and efficacy led to the hypothesis that combining avasimide with T-cell therapy might boost solid tumor immunotherapy, but it has been challenging to optimize the two modalities as a combination therapy.

Thus it is necessary to develop combinatorial technologies that maximize both treatments, whereby genetically engineered T cells can be used to produce designed protein drugs.

Unfortunately, heterogeneous expression of engineered proteins and toxicity potential reduces this strategy's efficacy and small molecule drugs cannot be genetically manipulated.

An alternative to genetic engineering involves 'backpacking' nanoparticle drugs onto the T-cell surface via chemical conjugation or ligand-receptor interaction to augment T-cell function and increase the therapeutic efficacy of combinations.

However, previous studies have shown that backpacking may impair T-cell physiological functions, due to long-term occupation of T-cell membrane biomolecules or altered T-cell glycometabolism.

Thus, technology involving backpacking nanoparticle drugs onto the T-cell surface needs to be further improved to reduce the impact of backpacking on T-cell function.

In their new Science Translational Medicine study, Zhang and her team attached liposomal avasimide onto the T-cell surface by lipid insertion and a click molecular insertion technique, without disturbing T-cell physiological function.

They demonstrated that avasimide could be retained on the T-cell surface during circulation and extravasation then locally diffused to increase the T-cell membrane cholesterol concentration, inducing rapid TCR clustering and sustained T-cell activation.

Treatment with cell-surface anchor-engineered T cells, including mouse TCR transgenic CD8+ T cells or human chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells, resulted in superior antitumor efficacy in mouse models of melanoma and glioblastoma.

Moreover, glioblastoma was completely eradicated in 3 of 5 mice receiving surface anchor-engineered CAR T cells, whereas saline-treated control mice survived no more than 64 days. Regarding safety, the administration of bioengineered T cells showed no apparent systemic side effects in these mouse tumor models.

"Although safety findings made with engineered T cells in mice can reflect safety in humans to some extent, potential interspecies differences should also be considered," noted Zhang. These findings show that cell-surface anchor-engineered T cells hold translational potential, because of their simple generation and their good safety profile, but further developmental work is necessary.

"We need to optimize preparation techniques to improve the yield of bioengineered T cells and to develop integrated and automated production techniques, in order to realize large-scale production," said Zhang.

"It will also be necessary to establish quality standards and corresponding rapid detection methods during each production stage, all of which might take several years or more," said Zhang.

"This new therapeutic strategy of combining metabolic intervention and CAR T therapy, including the use of different CAR T cells, might also be effective in diverse solid tumors," she said.

"Our group will continue to investigate the safety and efficacy of cell-surface-modification technologies that can be deployed to various cell types, including neutrophils, natural killer cells and so forth."

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Combination enhances solid tumor immunotherapy | 2020-12-02 - BioWorld Online