The past decade has seen remarkable advances in our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis. However, challenges remain. Resolving them offers hope for even greater success in the future. More »
New in the nonspecialty journals: A new option for patients with autoimmune disease and HCV infection. The value of combined therapy for osteoporosis. Prognosis predictors for chronic pain, a new opioid adverse effect, and more ... More »
Is it a form of lupus, myositis, or a drug reaction? Check your knowledge of skin eruptions and the associated rheumatologic conditions in this brief photo essay. More »
The FDA has approved the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker golimumab (Simponi) for treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults. This is the first non-arthritis indication for the biologic, which is already approved for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing... More »
They may be supported by guidelines and commonly used in practice, but joint injections with glucocorticoids for acute gout are not backed by any randomized controlled clinical trials, according to a new Cochrane report. However, the report backs away from saying they should not be used. More »
The FDA has approved canakinumab (Ilaris) for treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis) in patients aged 2 years and older. The drug is administered monthly by subcutaneous injection. More »
Bone mass, bone geometry and its changes are based on trabecular and cortical bone remodeling. Whereas the effects of estrogen loss, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), glucocorticoid (GC) and bisphosphonate (BP) on trabecular bone remodeling have been well described, the effects of these conditions on the cortical bone geometry are less known. The present review will report current knowledge on the effects of RA, GC and BP on cortical bone geometry and its clinical relevance. Estrogen deficiency, RA and systemic
To develop evidence-based recommendations on the use of imaging of the joints in the clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods
The task force comprised an expert group of rheumatologists, radiologists, methodologists and experienced rheumatology practitioners from 13 countries. Thirteen key questions on the role of imaging in RA were generated using a process of discussion and consensus. Imaging modalities included were conventional radiog
Anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) are a major risk factor for bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have recently shown that ACPA directly induce bone loss by stimulating osteoclast differentiation. As ACPA precede the clinical onset of RA by years, we hypothesised that ACPA positive healthy individuals may already show skeletal changes.
Methods
We performed a comparative micro-CT analysis of the bone microstructure in the metacarpophalange
To identify predictors of sick leave and disability pension in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods
Individuals aged 19–59 years diagnosed with early RA (≤12 months symptom duration) were identified in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (1999–2007; n=3029). We retrieved days of sick leave and disability pension from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and baseline predictors of total work days lost during
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used in clinical trials of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its superiority over X-ray radiography (XR) in detecting and monitoring change in bone erosion, osteitis and synovitis. However, in contrast to XR, the MRI scoring method that was used in most clinical trials did not include cartilage loss. This limitation has been an obstacle to accepting MRI as a potential alternative to XR in clinical trials. Cross-sectional studies have shown MRI to b
Primary Care Can't Thrive Without Nurse Practitioners Courtney H. Lyder, ND, May 17, 2013 With a projected shortfall of primary-care physicians, it's time for alternate solutions to patient care. Nurse practitioners are one logical remedy.
