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Fat Secretes Protein That Triggers Rheumatoid Arthritis

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:04:18 +0000

Using mice, researchers have discovered that fat cells in the knee secrete a protein, known as pro-factor D, which yields another protein, known as factor D (part of the complement system). The complement system is a complex network of pathways involving over 40 proteins that play a significant role in our immune system. It had been determined previously that factor D made mice susceptible to developing inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).

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The Worst Things About Arthritis

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:26:57 +0000

Newly-diagnosed arthritis patients have a lot of questions, as you might expect. I think the same could be said of anyone who is diagnosed with a chronic illness. People want to know how the disease is going to affect their lives. Unfortunately, the answers are not simple because the disease course is not the same for everyone.

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FDA Approves Ilaris (canakinumab) for Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:49:19 +0000

On May 10, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ilaris (canakinumab) for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients aged 2 years and older. Ilaris, a fully human monoclonal antibody...

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It's World Lupus Day

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:34:42 +0000

May 10 is World Lupus Day - a day which brings global awareness to a disease that affects more than 5 million people worldwide. Lupus is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease. In lupus, the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues. The joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs of the body are affected -- no organ is spared.

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Creatine Supplementation Is No Panacea for Fibromyalgia

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:49:17 +0000

According to a Chicago Tribune report, there have been studies that suggested fibromyalgia patients have decreased levels of creatine in their brain and muscle tissues. One previous study suggested that ...

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Light Smoking Doubles Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Thu, 09 May 2013 01:55:55 +0000

I have posted stories before about the increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis that is associated with smoking. People wanted to know, if they stopped smoking, would the risk decrease? According to a new study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital concluded that even light smoking is linked to the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. A person who smokes 1 to 7 cigarettes each day has double the risk for developing the disease.

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Adults With Arthritis Are Side-Stepping the Benefits of Walking

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:10:29 +0000

Walking is considered an appropriate activity for adults with arthritis. Walking is known to improve arthritis symptoms, physical function, gait speed, and quality of life. The CDC analyzed data from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to determine how much arthritis patients were actually walking.

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Sjogren's Syndrome Associated With Serious Complications

Sun, 05 May 2013 21:26:01 +0000

It is a misconception that Sjogren's syndrome is a relatively benign autoimmune condition. In fact, primary Sjogren's syndrome is associated with serious complications. According to the abstract of a 25 year review presented at the annual meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology, half of Sjogren's syndrome patients develop another autoimmune condition and 10% are diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

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Vectra DA Evaluates Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:36:39 +0000

Whether you are a new arthritis patient or have a long history, your doctor likely has ordered blood tests to help diagnose the disease or to help monitor the effectiveness of your treatment. The most commonly used blood tests for arthritis patients include sedimentation rate, CRP, and rheumatoid factor. Anti-CCP, ANA, and tests to monitor liver and kidney function are also sometimes ordered. There is now a new test, called Vectra DA, that monitors disease activity.

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Committee to European Medicines Agency Rejects Xeljanz for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:52:55 +0000

You may recall that the U.S. FDA approved Xeljanz (tofacitinib) in November 2012 for the treatment of adults with moderately- to severely-active rheumatoid arthritis who had an inadequate response or an intolerance to methotrexate. Xeljanz was the first oral, non-biologic, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug approved by the FDA in over 10 years. Xeljanz is also the first drug in a new class of drugs known as JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors. Its approval was highly anticipated since Xeljanz is viewed as a competitor to injectable biologic drugs, such as Humira, Enbrel...

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