FDA Approves Golimumab for Ulcerative Colitis
May 16, 2013
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 spondylitis.
Macrophages and CD4+ T Cells Found Lurking in Arthritic Knees
May 1, 2013
Synovitis is present in 90% of painful knees, and emerging data is showing that this inflammation is "not just a bystander" in osteoarthritis-induced damage. Research is revealing the roles of macrophages and T-cells, and signposts toward new drug targets.
Five Small Steps Toward New Drug Options for OA
April 25, 2013
No speaker at the OARSI meeting turned up with the Holy Grail -- a new disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD). Some promising alternatives are not available to US patients; others are in very preliminary testing.
Exercise and Knee OA: Five Things We Know (And Some We Do Not)
April 24, 2013
Patients with knee osteoarthritis should have mild exercise every day to reduce inflammation, should walk with shorter steps to reduce knee loading, and should strengthen their upper leg muscles, to judge from new research. But studies have yet to say how much exercise is best, how often, and at what intensity.
Why No News is Good News in Imaging Knee OA
April 23, 2013
What you want to see in progressive images of knee osteoarthritis is not a particular kind of change, but homeostasis, to judge from two studies presented at the annual meeting of OARSI.
| Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Understanding Allopurinol-Induced DRESS Syndrome
Viral causes are implicated in potentially deadly A-DRESS SYNDROME (dermatitis, hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, and eosinophilia) among allopurinol users. Skin biopsy and a wide panel of viral titers are well advised. . ..
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Latent Tuberculosis Infection in RA: The Disease and the Diagnosis
Although tuberculosis is common in RA even in the absence of treatment, false-negative tuberculin skin test results are frequent because of either immunosuppressive treatment or a natural waning of immunity. . ..
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Doomed Arthritic Knees Rotate More and Never Rest
The quads and hamstrings of OA patients who later have knee replacement seem to be firing continuously, according to new biomechanics research. Training with the Alexander technique may offer relief. . ..
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Lupus: The Role of the Primary Care Physician. Part 1: Diagnosis
Lesser-known presenting symptoms of lupus: • Cognitive dysfunction (difficulty focusing, memory loss, and depression) • Headaches • Anemia • Pleurisy and/or pericarditis • Abnormal blood clotting • Seizures • Ulcers of the mouth and/or nose . ..
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Recognizing and Managing Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Gradually increasing mild pain in the back of the knee, stiffness, and pain with squatting or kneeling may be the only signs of PCL injury, arising long past the acute period after a seemingly trivial inciting event. . ..
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Recognizing Rheumatologic Aspects of Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine and its contaminants, primarily levamisole, can cause lesions of the earlobes and cheeks, midline granulomatous lesions, and a mimic of vasculitis. . ..
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Is There Truly A Therapeutic "Window of Opportunity" in RA?
Combined studies of more than 6,000 patients agree: To lessen joint damage and achieve remission, treat rheumatoid arthritis at least during the first 12 weeks after diagnosis.. . .
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Eosinophilic Fasciitis: A Difficult Diagnosis
Raynaud's phenomenon is usually absent from eosinophilic fasciitis, which may be difficult to differentiate from scleroderma. Nearly all scleroderma patients have Raynaud's, usually early on. . .
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Obese Woman With Fibromyalgia and Increasing Back Pain
Clues to spinal epidural abscess as a cause of back pain (a potentially disabling condition and thus a diagnostic "great save"):
1. Usually insidious onset
2. Usually thoracic (most back pain is cervical or lumbar)
3. Major red flag: fever (though often absent, especially early in the course). . .
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Managing Systemic Sclerosis and Its Complications
Use ACE inhibitors with great care in systemic sclerosis. ACE inhibitors given before the onset of scleroderma renal crisis worsen later outcomes. . .
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. | | Rheumatology Tip of the Day |  | Woman With Sarcoidosis, Lymphoma, and Shoulder Pain
As many as 40% of sarcoidosis patients show an acute, self-limiting polyarthritis, but chronic arthritis and muscular symptoms are very rare. . .
Learn More | | » See the entire Tip of the Day collection. |
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