There are many herbs and supplements on the market that are thought to be effective by some patients and practitioners for managing pain. However, for many of these herbs and supplements, there is little in the way of reliable evidence supporting these claims. Nonetheless, millions of patients may be using these agents to supplement the pain care provided by their physicians and other clinicians, often without informing them of this fact.
In addition to offering sessions that covered more traditional topics in pain management, including presentations on the evaluation and treatment of back pain, assessing sleep disturbance in fibromyalgia, and identifying changes in the neuromuscular system in osteoarthritis, this year's ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting also offered several additional sessions that addressed more off-the-beaten-path topics.
Gout is associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, particularly prostate cancer in men, a recent study finds.
Horizon Pharma announced last Tuesday that the FDA had accepted its new drug application for Lodotra, a delayed-release formulation of low-dose prednisone, for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
A 42-year-old Hispanic woman with a past medical history of HIV infection and noncompliance with highly active antiretroviral therapy was admitted to the emergency department with a new-onset generalized tonic-clonic seizure episode, followed by Todd paralysis.
The spectrum of spondyloarthritis disorders-typically including ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated SpA-are related clinically and genetically but are distinct entities.
Tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may pose less risk of serious infection than previously thought, a new study suggests.
With more patients and practitioners expressing interest in non-Western modes of healing and other complementary and alternative forms of medicine, researchers are studying whether traditional Chinese methods like tai chi are effective in treating arthritis and other painful conditions.
Women under 50 with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of breaking bones compared with women who do not have the condition, a new study finds.
African Americans are more likely to have multiple, large-joint osteoarthritis (OA) and to have knee OA, but less likely to have hand OA, a new study finds.
Musculoskeletal pain is common. In one analysis, 33% of adults reported musculoskeletal pain from overuse as a chief complaint. Morbidity resulting from musculoskeletal pain contributes to 29% of lost workdays because of illness and is second only to cardiovascular disease in terms of economic burden
Early and accurate gout diagnosis and disease management are essential. Making the clinical diagnosis takes into consideration the differential diagnosis supported by the use of clinical, serological, and diagnostic studies.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex disorder of chronic, widespread pain and tenderness usually accompanied by numerous other symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, nonrestorative sleep, depression, anxiety, and stiffness.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a chronic connective-tissue disease that has a multitude of clinical manifestations. These authors offer a guide to recognition and pathogenesis, as well as counsel about management.
Chondroitin sulfate significantly decreases pain and improves hand function in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA), according to new research reported by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The agent also improves grip strength and relieves morning stiffness.
A new study has shown that MRI can identify and describe the features of gout.
Physically demanding occupational tasks (eg, lifting heavy loads) and infections that required antibiotics are associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis.
The medical marijuana debate isn't going away any time soon. See what our experts have to say about the latest information and tell us what you think.
Familiarity with metatarsalgia, an array of disorders that cause pain to the forefoot, enhances the clinician's ability to make the proper diagnosis.
Roughly a third of patients with low back pain also have neck pain. This study assessed correcting cervical disk displacements to reduces lower body pain and numbness.
At least among women in Kentucky (the ones polled in this study), cigarette smoking is strongly associated with chronic pain syndromes.
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common pain syndromes in the United States, affecting an estimated 10 million people.
Recombinant uricases provide an exciting new therapeutic option for gout, but there are limited data for their use in the elderly.
Antares Pharma, Inc. has announced positive results of an auto-injector that delivers a rapid subcutaneous injection of methotrexate.
Multidisciplinary management of fibromyalgia syndrome, including pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, is optimal. Exercise may improve patients’ symptoms and quality of life, but an exercise program may be challenging because of pain, stiffness, and fatigue.
Portable, bedside musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) equipment has placed the potential for advanced imaging in the hands of office-based clinicians. Assessment of synovial tissue is one of the main applications of MSUS in rheumatology.
The risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is greater in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Regular screening for LTBI is recommended.
Researchers hope a device that stimulates the vagus nerve will reduce pain and swelling as well as joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Men who smoke are at a decreased risk of receiving total joint replacement (TJR) surgery of the hip or knee compared to men who have never smoked.
A 10-year-old boy injured his left elbow during football practice. He subsequently had pain with normal range of motion of the elbow. He had minimal tenderness over his olecranon but no joint swelling, bruising, or palpable mass
