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.
| Contact the NDB | Enroll in NDB Research | NDB Forum |
Monday, June 27, 2005
One doctor's perspective on NSAIDs
"Although the debate over the safety of these drugs continues, thousands of more circumscribed — and more urgent — debates take place every day in the offices of physicians throughout the country. We are confronted with more questions than we can answer on the basis of the available data, but our patients need advice now, and their concerns cannot be deferred while we wait for the results of more research. Each case must therefore be worked through individually in order to derive the best plan for the particular patient's circumstances" - from New England Journal of Medicine
"Although the debate over the safety of these drugs continues, thousands of more circumscribed — and more urgent — debates take place every day in the offices of physicians throughout the country. We are confronted with more questions than we can answer on the basis of the available data, but our patients need advice now, and their concerns cannot be deferred while we wait for the results of more research. Each case must therefore be worked through individually in order to derive the best plan for the particular patient's circumstances" - from New England Journal of Medicine
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
AS needs timely diagnosis
"A childhood arthritic condition called ankylosing spondylitis is often undiagnosed, experts report, raising risks for much more serious spinal problems in later adult life...'It is common for children to experience 'growing pains' but symptoms of joint aches and pains that last for weeks are unusual. Parents who notice these symptoms in children should speak with their physician and determine if they should see a pediatric rheumatologist,' study co-author Dr. Robert Warren, chief of rheumatology services at Texas Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said in a prepared statement." - from HealthDay
"A childhood arthritic condition called ankylosing spondylitis is often undiagnosed, experts report, raising risks for much more serious spinal problems in later adult life...'It is common for children to experience 'growing pains' but symptoms of joint aches and pains that last for weeks are unusual. Parents who notice these symptoms in children should speak with their physician and determine if they should see a pediatric rheumatologist,' study co-author Dr. Robert Warren, chief of rheumatology services at Texas Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said in a prepared statement." - from HealthDay
Friday, June 10, 2005
Study: Rituximab effective agains Lupus, RA
"The cancer drug rituximab may benefit lupus patients with central nervous system (CNS) complications," according to a new, very small, U.S. study. - from HealthDay
"The cancer drug rituximab may benefit lupus patients with central nervous system (CNS) complications," according to a new, very small, U.S. study. - from HealthDay
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
One clinic finds high abuse levels in rheumatic patients
Although the researchers from the Guatemala City clinic don't suggest a cause or relationship to rheumatic diseases, they found that "abuse, both physical and psychologic, was significantly increased in our rheumatic disease population, especially in patients with fibromyalgia. Further studies are needed to fully establish its role. Questions about abuse may provide important information relative to care of our patients." - from Journal of Clinical Rheumatology
Although the researchers from the Guatemala City clinic don't suggest a cause or relationship to rheumatic diseases, they found that "abuse, both physical and psychologic, was significantly increased in our rheumatic disease population, especially in patients with fibromyalgia. Further studies are needed to fully establish its role. Questions about abuse may provide important information relative to care of our patients." - from Journal of Clinical Rheumatology
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Gene therapy in arthritis test
Scientists have shown it is feasible and safe to introduce a new gene to block destructive inflammation in arthritic joints....It was only a preliminary trial designed to test the concept - and much more work will be needed before it becomes clear whether the technique will actually work....Dr Madeleine Devey, of the Arthritis Research Campaign, said it had taken many years to overcome the safety problems associated with gene therapy. "This looks like a really promising advance - which is very good news for patents with arthritis." - from BBC NEWS
Scientists have shown it is feasible and safe to introduce a new gene to block destructive inflammation in arthritic joints....It was only a preliminary trial designed to test the concept - and much more work will be needed before it becomes clear whether the technique will actually work....Dr Madeleine Devey, of the Arthritis Research Campaign, said it had taken many years to overcome the safety problems associated with gene therapy. "This looks like a really promising advance - which is very good news for patents with arthritis." - from BBC NEWS
Friday, June 03, 2005
New insights into cause of RA?
"A protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is linked with a deficiency of male sex hormones in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a European study....TNF is involved in multiple cell functions and is also known to provoke destructive inflammation. It's believed that male sex hormones -- androgens -- play an important role in helping fight inflammation in rheumatic diseases, including various forms of arthritis and lupus. In this study, researchers took a closer look at TNF's impact on androgen production....[Researchers] said their study provides more information about androgen deficiency in people with rheumatoid arthritis and confirms the need for more research into the use of TNF-blocking drugs as a potential early treatment for the disease." - from Healthday
"A protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is linked with a deficiency of male sex hormones in people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a European study....TNF is involved in multiple cell functions and is also known to provoke destructive inflammation. It's believed that male sex hormones -- androgens -- play an important role in helping fight inflammation in rheumatic diseases, including various forms of arthritis and lupus. In this study, researchers took a closer look at TNF's impact on androgen production....[Researchers] said their study provides more information about androgen deficiency in people with rheumatoid arthritis and confirms the need for more research into the use of TNF-blocking drugs as a potential early treatment for the disease." - from Healthday
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Lupus outcomes similar in US, UK, Canada
The Tri-Nation Study Group has been looking at differences in Lupus care in the US, UK and Canada. The group has "shown that SLE patients in Canada and the UK incurred 20% and 13% lower health costs than those in the US, respectively, but did not experience worse outcomes as expressed by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index." Now the group looks at quality of life, and found that it "remained stable across countries. Despite Canadian and British patients incurring lower health costs, on average, patients experienced similar changes in physical and mental well-being" - study abstract from Rheumatology
Lupus patients are invited to join the NDB's study. Click Here to learn more.
The Tri-Nation Study Group has been looking at differences in Lupus care in the US, UK and Canada. The group has "shown that SLE patients in Canada and the UK incurred 20% and 13% lower health costs than those in the US, respectively, but did not experience worse outcomes as expressed by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index." Now the group looks at quality of life, and found that it "remained stable across countries. Despite Canadian and British patients incurring lower health costs, on average, patients experienced similar changes in physical and mental well-being" - study abstract from Rheumatology
Lupus patients are invited to join the NDB's study. Click Here to learn more.
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!