News

Could MRI detect the early signs of danger in patients who have not yet manifested symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis? New research suggests it can.

Since inactivity accounts for 10-16% of breast cancers, colon cancers, and diabetes cases, as well as 22% of heart disease, some researchers believe too much sitting can cause just as much harm as smoking.

When does gout need treatment? A new set of staging criteria hopes to clarify the answer, and a separate report warns of the risks of unjustified treatment.

For antiphospholipid syndrome, some alternatives to vitamin K antagonists including rituximab and hydroxychloroquine may be suitable, says an international task force. Two clinical trials are recruiting to provide better information.

Patients find it very attractive to self-select a variety of vitamins and supplements that promise to improve their immune system and combat obesity without any dangers or dependence on healthcare professionals, but these claims are just not true.

Honey bee venom is being used to treat pain for multiple sclerosis and osteoarthritis, according to a report from CBS News.

For spinal rheumatic conditions like psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, new research supports aquatic therapies, especially at first, and specialized programs like Pilates.

For people diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis that show only mild symptoms of joint pain and swelling, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the first treatment option to consider.

Ask your patients with psoriatic arthritis whether their disease impacts their work life. Like those in this study, they may say it takes quite a toll. What can you do to help?

The first step in reducing the burden of infection during lupus nephritis is understanding where and how it happens.

Because it is an indicator of general health and a red flag for certain conditions, gait speed alone is proposed as a vital sign.

Up to one-quarter of the 1.6 million amputees in the United States develop painful neuromas that can interfere with even the most carefully fitted prosthetic devices.

Underwater inferential current therapy significantly improves overall hand function in patients whose psoriatic arthritis affects their hands, according to a study published in the April issue of International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research.

The FDA has issued a safety alert warning that epidural corticosteroid injections may rarely cause serious neurological adverse events including loss of vision, stroke or paralysis, or may be fatal.

Anniversaries often prompt reflection, and the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing is no exception.

To "Thunder God Vine" from China, add fish oil and gluten-free diets as alternative remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. What is the evidence? Here, a review plus commentary from an expert.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have a 1-in-4 chance of developing chronic kidney disease, according to research published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.

People with psoriatic arthritis, particularly women, are more likely than psoriasis-only patients to have depression and/or anxiety. Poorly recognized and treated, this problem may affect the success of treatment for PsA.

When a patient's presenting complaint is chest pain, consider plain radiographs directed to the area of pain and do not forget to look at the bones.

The 56-year-old woman in this unique case study showed a rare, late involvement of the bones in sarcoidosis: herniated lumbar disks. Lung opacities turned up on CT, and a biopsy found noncaseating granuloma.

(ACR Pediatrics 2014) More links between the gut and arthritis: Children with spondyloarthritis have different enteric bacteria than healthy kids, adding to a growing body of evidence linking microbes to autoimmune disorders.

The use of baclofen, typically used for spasms in spinal cord injury patients, can significantly reduce craving triggers for cocaine-addicted patients.

A new retrospective study suggests that patients with autoimmune disorders should be monitored for epilepsy, and vice versa.

Little evidence exists to guide the management of treatment-resistant myositis. This brief guide describes the best available options for a challenging and heterogeneous condition.

Explanations for the "gender factor" in rheumatoid arthritis risk now include factors unique to the immune response among women, phenomena specific to pregnancy, and perhaps environmental factors including cosmetics.

The patient is plagued by problems: Severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, a rash, chest and abdominal pains, and by the time she reaches a rheumatologist, periorbital edema and photophobia. Can you guess the cause?

For patients suffering from hip bursitis, platelet-rich plasma treatment is more effective than steroids, according to a study presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Can drugs that target the shared interleukin 17/23 pathway improve on existing options for treatment of psoriatic arthritis? A brief overview discusses the options now in testing, and preliminary results.

A 58-year-old woman presented to clinic with concerns about this skin lesion on her upper chest. She reports it has been present for 1 year and is slowly enlarging. The lesion is otherwise asymptomatic and her past history is only significant for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for which she takes methotrexate and etanercept.

The DAS28 disease-activity score has made the transition from research to clinic, but in some circumstances it may be misleading. A tool developed by a rheumatologist can help you explore how changes in components like ESR affect the score in unexpected ways.