News and information about the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases (NDB) and arthritis and rheumatology research. Written for NDB participants and anyone with a rheumatic disease.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2004
March brings Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week
"When most people think of arthritis they don't associate it with children. The most popular misconception about arthritis is that it is an old person's disease. In reality, arthritis affects people of all ages including about 285,000 American children." - from arthritis.about.com - Arthritis: A Children's Disease Too
"When most people think of arthritis they don't associate it with children. The most popular misconception about arthritis is that it is an old person's disease. In reality, arthritis affects people of all ages including about 285,000 American children." - from arthritis.about.com - Arthritis: A Children's Disease Too
Monday, February 23, 2004
NDB Research: Heart Failure in RA & Anti-TNF Effects
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of heart failure, which may be ameliorated by anti-TNF therapies. from - American Journal of Medicine, 2004;116:305–311. From the NDB website in Adobe PDF format.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of heart failure, which may be ameliorated by anti-TNF therapies. from - American Journal of Medicine, 2004;116:305–311. From the NDB website in Adobe PDF format.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Why does arthritis affect more women than men?
"Women are four-times as likely to develop arthritis, nine-times as likely to have lupus, and twice as likely to have multiple sclerosis. Men, on the other hand, are four-times as likely to develop autism and twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s. Why do these diseases affect men and women differently?" - from Ivanhoe - Destiny: Is it in the Genes? Battle of the Sexes
"Women are four-times as likely to develop arthritis, nine-times as likely to have lupus, and twice as likely to have multiple sclerosis. Men, on the other hand, are four-times as likely to develop autism and twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s. Why do these diseases affect men and women differently?" - from Ivanhoe - Destiny: Is it in the Genes? Battle of the Sexes
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Fibromyalgia patients improve with self-treatment
"A 6 week self management based programme of pool exercises and education can improve the quality of life of patients with FM and their satisfaction with treatment. These improvements are sustained for at least 6 months after programme completion.
" - from Annals of Rheumatic Diseases -- Abstracts: Cedraschi et al. 63 (3): 290
"A 6 week self management based programme of pool exercises and education can improve the quality of life of patients with FM and their satisfaction with treatment. These improvements are sustained for at least 6 months after programme completion.
" - from Annals of Rheumatic Diseases -- Abstracts: Cedraschi et al. 63 (3): 290
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Remicade & Enbrel Discussion in the Forum
What's your experience with Remicade and Enbrel? Join the discussion in the National Databank Forum: remicade
What's your experience with Remicade and Enbrel? Join the discussion in the National Databank Forum: remicade
Friday, February 13, 2004
When a Good Knee Turns Bad
"The outcome seemed logical enough. A person tears knee cartilage — often playing sports — and has surgery. Then the risk of arthritis increases. But it may be the other way around." - from the New York Times.
Vital Signs: Cause and Effect: When a Good Knee Turns Bad
"The outcome seemed logical enough. A person tears knee cartilage — often playing sports — and has surgery. Then the risk of arthritis increases. But it may be the other way around." - from the New York Times.
Vital Signs: Cause and Effect: When a Good Knee Turns Bad
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
NDB research on RA, Tuberculosis and Infliximab
You may have seen this article mentioned in the NDB newsletter or on the website. Here's the full article from Arthritis & Rheumatism, another example of how your participation in the NDB contributes to important research.
"Conclusion. The rate of TB is not increased in RA patients generally... A thorough medical history regarding TB, as well as tuberculin testing and radiographic examination (if indicated), should be an essential component of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy." - from the NDB website in Adobe PDF format (Adobe Acrobat reader required).
You may have seen this article mentioned in the NDB newsletter or on the website. Here's the full article from Arthritis & Rheumatism, another example of how your participation in the NDB contributes to important research.
"Conclusion. The rate of TB is not increased in RA patients generally... A thorough medical history regarding TB, as well as tuberculin testing and radiographic examination (if indicated), should be an essential component of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy." - from the NDB website in Adobe PDF format (Adobe Acrobat reader required).
Love, Sex, And Arthritis: some Valentine's Day advice
"Around Valentine's Day, feeling good about yourself and feeling close to the one you love is very important. Rising above those feelings of being sick and tired to feelings of being loved, valued, and comforted is vital." - from arthritis.about.com Love, Sex, And Arthritis
"Around Valentine's Day, feeling good about yourself and feeling close to the one you love is very important. Rising above those feelings of being sick and tired to feelings of being loved, valued, and comforted is vital." - from arthritis.about.com Love, Sex, And Arthritis
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Can you afford the co-pays?
Join this discussion at the NDB Forum: "I was just wondering if any other members have trouble buying the medications that they really need to take, but find it hard to afford the co-pays. I am on disability but not on Medicare yet. I take about ten different meds and it is very hard each month to come-up with the co-pays. Is it the insurance companies trying to make a profit or the drug manufacturers?" - National Databank Forum: Insurance Co-Pays
Join this discussion at the NDB Forum: "I was just wondering if any other members have trouble buying the medications that they really need to take, but find it hard to afford the co-pays. I am on disability but not on Medicare yet. I take about ten different meds and it is very hard each month to come-up with the co-pays. Is it the insurance companies trying to make a profit or the drug manufacturers?" - National Databank Forum: Insurance Co-Pays
Did you know you can be notified automatically when someone posts to a forum that interests you? Look for this link "Watch this forum for new posts" at the forum level. You must be registered and signed in to use this feature. It's free to join and use.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Some Arthritis patients benefit from specialized pain treatment
"Further study should address the selection of patients that are most likely to benefit from referral to multidisciplinary pain centers and the longterm outcome of such interventions." - from The Journal of Rheumatology Abstract: Clinical Profile of Rheumatic Disease Patients Referred to a Multidisciplinary Pain Center
"Further study should address the selection of patients that are most likely to benefit from referral to multidisciplinary pain centers and the longterm outcome of such interventions." - from The Journal of Rheumatology Abstract: Clinical Profile of Rheumatic Disease Patients Referred to a Multidisciplinary Pain Center
Now available for your support group or arthritis meetings....Our new pamphlets explain what we do and how you and can help. Each one has a postage-paid postcard to request more information or join the project. The pamphlets and a small table-top stand are available free from the NDB. Just send us an email!