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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Tuesday, August 30, 2005
New study of fibromyalgia and pain relief
"New research indicates that moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain can dramatically impair health-related quality of life for people with the condition. The good news is that effective pain relief can greatly improve the situation. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread muscular and joint pain, as well as specific 'tender' points that typically occur in the neck, spine, hips and shoulders. Pain is not the only symptom, as sleep disturbances and fatigue, depression and irritable bowel syndrome are often present. The latest findings, which appear in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, are based on an analysis of data from a clinical trial comparing the combination painkiller tramadol-plus-acetaminophen (brand name, Ultracet) with inactive 'placebo' treatment for relief of fibromyalgia pain." - from MedlinePlus
"New research indicates that moderate-to-severe fibromyalgia pain can dramatically impair health-related quality of life for people with the condition. The good news is that effective pain relief can greatly improve the situation. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread muscular and joint pain, as well as specific 'tender' points that typically occur in the neck, spine, hips and shoulders. Pain is not the only symptom, as sleep disturbances and fatigue, depression and irritable bowel syndrome are often present. The latest findings, which appear in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, are based on an analysis of data from a clinical trial comparing the combination painkiller tramadol-plus-acetaminophen (brand name, Ultracet) with inactive 'placebo' treatment for relief of fibromyalgia pain." - from MedlinePlus
Friday, August 26, 2005
Merck to settle some Vioxx lawsuits
"With the number of Vioxx-related lawsuits soaring, the drug maker Merck may consider offering settlements to plaintiffs in a few cases, the company's general counsel suggested yesterday. Merck had previously said that it planned to defend every personal-injury lawsuit filed over Vioxx, a painkiller and arthritis medicine that has been shown to raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes." - from New York Times (free registration required)
"With the number of Vioxx-related lawsuits soaring, the drug maker Merck may consider offering settlements to plaintiffs in a few cases, the company's general counsel suggested yesterday. Merck had previously said that it planned to defend every personal-injury lawsuit filed over Vioxx, a painkiller and arthritis medicine that has been shown to raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes." - from New York Times (free registration required)
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Joint replacements get easier
"Today, joint-replacement surgery is classified as 'conventional,' 'less invasive' or 'minimally invasive,' according to Dr. Jay Mabrey, chief of orthopedic surgery at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The minimally invasive procedures involve the smallest surgical incisions; the conventional, the largest." - from HealthDay
"Today, joint-replacement surgery is classified as 'conventional,' 'less invasive' or 'minimally invasive,' according to Dr. Jay Mabrey, chief of orthopedic surgery at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The minimally invasive procedures involve the smallest surgical incisions; the conventional, the largest." - from HealthDay
Friday, August 19, 2005
First Vioxx verdict in
The New York Times reports: "In the first verdict of a Vioxx-related personal-injury lawsuit, a Texas jury found the drug's maker, Merck, liable and awarded $253.5 million to the widow of Robert Ernst, who died in 2001 after taking the painkiller and arthritis medicine."
Merck promises to appeal: Merck & Co., Inc. is disappointed a state court jury in Brazoria County, Texas, returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in the VIOXX® product liability lawsuit Ernst v. Merck. Merck will appeal the verdict.
The New York Times reports: "In the first verdict of a Vioxx-related personal-injury lawsuit, a Texas jury found the drug's maker, Merck, liable and awarded $253.5 million to the widow of Robert Ernst, who died in 2001 after taking the painkiller and arthritis medicine."
Merck promises to appeal: Merck & Co., Inc. is disappointed a state court jury in Brazoria County, Texas, returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in the VIOXX® product liability lawsuit Ernst v. Merck. Merck will appeal the verdict.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Closing arguments in first Vioxx trial
"The closing arguments came after both sides presented almost five weeks of testimony about Vioxx, a drug that Merck sold from 1999 to 2004 and that was taken by an estimated 20 million people. Mr. Ernst's family is suing Merck in state district court in Brazoria County, Tex., contending that Vioxx caused his death." - from New York Times (free registration required)
"The closing arguments came after both sides presented almost five weeks of testimony about Vioxx, a drug that Merck sold from 1999 to 2004 and that was taken by an estimated 20 million people. Mr. Ernst's family is suing Merck in state district court in Brazoria County, Tex., contending that Vioxx caused his death." - from New York Times (free registration required)
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Specialist Care Delayed for Women with RA in Norway
"Women with early rheumatoid arthritis are referred to a rheumatologist later than men, new research shows. Early referral for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been established as one of the best ways to protect joints against damage as far as possible. In the present study, reported in The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Dr. O. Palm and Dr. E. Purinszky, from Ostfold Hospital in Sarpsborg, Norway, analyzed data from all patients who were referred to their center with early RA over a 12-month period." - from MedlinePlus
"Women with early rheumatoid arthritis are referred to a rheumatologist later than men, new research shows. Early referral for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been established as one of the best ways to protect joints against damage as far as possible. In the present study, reported in The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Dr. O. Palm and Dr. E. Purinszky, from Ostfold Hospital in Sarpsborg, Norway, analyzed data from all patients who were referred to their center with early RA over a 12-month period." - from MedlinePlus
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Newer Arthritis Drugs Also Lower Heart Risks
"People with rheumatoid arthritis are prone to develop heart disease, but treatment with the newer class of drugs called TNF inhibitors appears to lower risk of a cardiovascular event occurring, according to researchers in Sweden." The NDB has also reported similar findings. - from MedlinePlus
"People with rheumatoid arthritis are prone to develop heart disease, but treatment with the newer class of drugs called TNF inhibitors appears to lower risk of a cardiovascular event occurring, according to researchers in Sweden." The NDB has also reported similar findings. - from MedlinePlus
Monday, August 01, 2005
Study: Parkinson's drug helps Fibromyalgia pain
"A drug used to treat Parkinson's disease seems to significantly reduce pain in severely ill fibromyalgia patients, a new study suggests. Almost half the patients who took pramipexole, which stimulates dopamine production in the brain, reported a 50 percent drop in pain, compared to only 14 percent of those who took a placebo. The study participants were taking an average of more than two medications each, including narcotics, and most were disabled." - from HealthDay
"A drug used to treat Parkinson's disease seems to significantly reduce pain in severely ill fibromyalgia patients, a new study suggests. Almost half the patients who took pramipexole, which stimulates dopamine production in the brain, reported a 50 percent drop in pain, compared to only 14 percent of those who took a placebo. The study participants were taking an average of more than two medications each, including narcotics, and most were disabled." - from HealthDay
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!