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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Friday, July 30, 2004
Oral NSAIDs better than topical for OA
"Painkiller creams and gels can relieve the suffering of osteoarthritis, but their effect only lasts about two weeks...'No evidence supports the long-term use of topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis,' Weiya Zhang, an epidemiologist and expert on muscle diseases, said in a report published online by the British Medical Journal...Oral NSAIDs were more effective than the topical creams or gels in head-to-head studies, but they can cause ulcers and dangerous stomach bleeding." from - Yahoo! Health
"Painkiller creams and gels can relieve the suffering of osteoarthritis, but their effect only lasts about two weeks...'No evidence supports the long-term use of topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis,' Weiya Zhang, an epidemiologist and expert on muscle diseases, said in a report published online by the British Medical Journal...Oral NSAIDs were more effective than the topical creams or gels in head-to-head studies, but they can cause ulcers and dangerous stomach bleeding." from - Yahoo! Health
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Study: Arthritis costs $4,865 a year
According to a study funded by the Arthritis Foundation, people with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions spent $186.9 billion on their care in 1997, or $4,865 per person on average. "The largest components of these expenditures were inpatient care (39%), ambulatory care (29%), and prescriptions (14%)." - abstract from Wiley InterScience
According to a study funded by the Arthritis Foundation, people with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions spent $186.9 billion on their care in 1997, or $4,865 per person on average. "The largest components of these expenditures were inpatient care (39%), ambulatory care (29%), and prescriptions (14%)." - abstract from Wiley InterScience
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
From our forum: Inexpensive medications?
"I was on Arava for 3 years and it worked well for me. However, I have since changed insurance and I do not have prescription coverage. Because Arava costs $250/month, I have had to discontinue it. Most of the other drugs are also too costly.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an effective but relatively inexpensive drug? (I know, an oxymoron). I've tried most of them when I had coverage. " National Databank Forum: inexpensive medications?
"I was on Arava for 3 years and it worked well for me. However, I have since changed insurance and I do not have prescription coverage. Because Arava costs $250/month, I have had to discontinue it. Most of the other drugs are also too costly.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an effective but relatively inexpensive drug? (I know, an oxymoron). I've tried most of them when I had coverage. " National Databank Forum: inexpensive medications?
Friday, July 16, 2004
Harvard's tips for visits to the doctor
"If you want to become a better-informed patient and get the most out of your doctor's visits, here are some tips that were presented at a recent forum sponsored by Harvard Medical School." - from Yahoo! Health
"If you want to become a better-informed patient and get the most out of your doctor's visits, here are some tips that were presented at a recent forum sponsored by Harvard Medical School." - from Yahoo! Health
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Drug makers boost prices at 3X inflation rate
"Even after the new Medicare law promised billions of dollars in government spending on prescription drugs, makers of best-selling medications raised prices quickly, nearly triple the rate of inflation, an AARP survey found...'It's disappointing that prices jumped after the legislation was signed, after they had assurances that they'd have a broader market to sell to,' AARP policy director John Rother said." - from Yahoo! Health
"Even after the new Medicare law promised billions of dollars in government spending on prescription drugs, makers of best-selling medications raised prices quickly, nearly triple the rate of inflation, an AARP survey found...'It's disappointing that prices jumped after the legislation was signed, after they had assurances that they'd have a broader market to sell to,' AARP policy director John Rother said." - from Yahoo! Health
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!