News

Patient access to biologic therapies is an issue throughout the European Union where the authors of a review article zero in on “why.” Access issues, they find, have a lot in common with access issues here in the U.S.

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients have consistently low levels of biologic adherence and persistence. How can patient compliance be improved? Lower out-of-pocket costs, utilize specialty pharmacies and improve patient education.

A trial of 172 patients with knee pain from osteoarthritis, shows that the active component of chili peppers called capsaicin, successfully and significantly reduced pain intensity. 

Q&A: Treatments for Gout

By

Robert Terkeltaub M.D., the rheumatology section chief of the VA Medical Center in San Diego and the corresponding author of the first-ever treatment guidelines for gout by the American College of Rheumatology, recently spoke with Rheumatology Network about updates in gout treatment.

Mortality rates for white, African American and Hispanic patients with end stage lupus-related renal disease are down. The findings contradict a previous analysis conducted in 2006.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus often have a range of clinical symptoms that are nonspecific and overlap with other medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome.

Delays in diagnosing axSpA are troubling, write the authors of a report in the journal Rheumatology. Delays of up to 10 years have been reported. Not all physicians may be familiar with the signs and symptoms of axSpA.

Physiotherapy, exercise and pain medications should be part of the treatment plan to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from stiffness associated with axial spondyloarthritis.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients report having similar pain levels in the beginning, but by six months, osteoarthritis patients say their pain is worse. This suggests a need for more effective osteoarthritis treatments, say researchers writing in Arthritis & Rheumatology. In this Q&A, the study’s lead author, Theodore Pincus, M.D., of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, shares his findings with us.

When it comes to reducing the risk of gout flares, dietary sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be superior to supplements, shows a new study.

X-Ray, Hip and Pelvis (©Phenyx7776Shutterstock.com)

The potential for intervening in bone loss due to aging may require a broader approach to the interactions of both the hematopoietic and skeletal systems.

Knee OA (©PuwadolJaturawutthichaiShutterstock.com)

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid may be suitable as treatment for knee osteoarthritis, a review shows. The findings are inconsistent with many of the clinical guidelines.