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 |
Friday, March 31, 2006
New model shows joint lubricants, effect on OA
"Realistic models of human joints are helping researchers learn more about how the body's natural joint lubricant prevents wear and tear that can lead to osteoarthritis." - from HealthDay
"Realistic models of human joints are helping researchers learn more about how the body's natural joint lubricant prevents wear and tear that can lead to osteoarthritis." - from HealthDay
Monday, March 27, 2006
FDA, cherry industry debate health claims
"Olivene Robbins swears a daily glass of concentrated tart cherry juice cured her painful gout. 'It's almost like a miracle to me,' says the 69-year-old resident of Hickory, N.C. Customers such as Robbins are now caught in the middle of a fight between federal health officials and the cherry industry." - from The Seattle Times: Health
"Olivene Robbins swears a daily glass of concentrated tart cherry juice cured her painful gout. 'It's almost like a miracle to me,' says the 69-year-old resident of Hickory, N.C. Customers such as Robbins are now caught in the middle of a fight between federal health officials and the cherry industry." - from The Seattle Times: Health
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Women's genetic advantage also brings risks
"When it comes to the battle of the sexes, nature hands women extra ammunition right from the start. The reason, according to geneticists: Females are gifted with two copies of the powerful X chromosome, while males are born with only one X, plus the relatively weak Y chromosome....But in rare cases, this advantage may backfire, she added. For example, doctors have long noticed that women are much more prone to autoimmune diseases -- illnesses such as scleroderma or lupus, where the body attacks its own tissues -- than men. Dr. Barbara Migeon, a professor in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, suspects that early in embryonic development, a small percentage of human females may develop a serious imbalance in the tug-of-war of gene expression between the two Xs, with one side clearly winning. This could influence key processes such as "self-recognition," where the developing immune system learns what cells and tissues are part of the self, and which are "foreign" and need to be attacked. If self-recognition goes awry, autoimmune diseases that can plague the body for a lifetime may be the result, Migeon theorizes." - from HealthDay
"When it comes to the battle of the sexes, nature hands women extra ammunition right from the start. The reason, according to geneticists: Females are gifted with two copies of the powerful X chromosome, while males are born with only one X, plus the relatively weak Y chromosome....But in rare cases, this advantage may backfire, she added. For example, doctors have long noticed that women are much more prone to autoimmune diseases -- illnesses such as scleroderma or lupus, where the body attacks its own tissues -- than men. Dr. Barbara Migeon, a professor in the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, suspects that early in embryonic development, a small percentage of human females may develop a serious imbalance in the tug-of-war of gene expression between the two Xs, with one side clearly winning. This could influence key processes such as "self-recognition," where the developing immune system learns what cells and tissues are part of the self, and which are "foreign" and need to be attacked. If self-recognition goes awry, autoimmune diseases that can plague the body for a lifetime may be the result, Migeon theorizes." - from HealthDay
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Healthy meniscus saves cartilage in knee arthritis
"Damage to the meniscus -- a cartilage disk that cushions the knee joint -- increases the risk of cartilage loss in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to a report....'Although the study did not evaluate the risks of surgery in particular, the study suggests that more meniscus is better for patients with osteoarthritis,' said Dr. David J. Hunter from Boston University School of Medicine. 'Thus, in the absence of symptoms such as a locked knee, I would advocate preserving the meniscus that remains and managing the osteoarthritis appropriately. Specifically, 'In this population I would advocate managing their knee osteoarthritis with non-pharmacologic means (weight loss, knee strengthening, braces, etc.), analgesic agents, and where these have failed, surgery, Hunter said." - from MedlinePlus
"Damage to the meniscus -- a cartilage disk that cushions the knee joint -- increases the risk of cartilage loss in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to a report....'Although the study did not evaluate the risks of surgery in particular, the study suggests that more meniscus is better for patients with osteoarthritis,' said Dr. David J. Hunter from Boston University School of Medicine. 'Thus, in the absence of symptoms such as a locked knee, I would advocate preserving the meniscus that remains and managing the osteoarthritis appropriately. Specifically, 'In this population I would advocate managing their knee osteoarthritis with non-pharmacologic means (weight loss, knee strengthening, braces, etc.), analgesic agents, and where these have failed, surgery, Hunter said." - from MedlinePlus
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Study: No hearing loss risk with RA
"In a finding that contradicts previous research, a Mayo Clinic study says that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not increase the risk of hearing loss." - from HealthDay
"In a finding that contradicts previous research, a Mayo Clinic study says that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not increase the risk of hearing loss." - from HealthDay
Monday, March 06, 2006
More troubling Celebrex research
"A Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine study suggested those on the drug had double the heart attack risk. Celebrex is in the same drug family as Vioxx, withdrawn from sale last year. Arthritis experts said Celebrex offered the best pain relief for some, while makers Pfizer said a larger study found it was as safe as other painkillers." - from BBC NEWS
"A Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine study suggested those on the drug had double the heart attack risk. Celebrex is in the same drug family as Vioxx, withdrawn from sale last year. Arthritis experts said Celebrex offered the best pain relief for some, while makers Pfizer said a larger study found it was as safe as other painkillers." - from BBC NEWS
Friday, March 03, 2006
How gold works
"Gold compounds have been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases for more than 75 years, but until now, how the metals work has been a mystery. Harvard Medical School researchers report in the Feb. 27 issue of Nature Chemical Biology that special forms of gold, platinum, and other classes of medicinal metals work by stripping bacteria and virus particles from the grasp of a key immune system protein." - from Harvard Medical School
"Gold compounds have been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases for more than 75 years, but until now, how the metals work has been a mystery. Harvard Medical School researchers report in the Feb. 27 issue of Nature Chemical Biology that special forms of gold, platinum, and other classes of medicinal metals work by stripping bacteria and virus particles from the grasp of a key immune system protein." - from Harvard Medical School
FDA Approves Rituxan for Rheumatoid Arthritis
"The FDA today approved Rituxan (rituximab), a therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rituxan was indicated for use in combination with methotrexate in patients with moderate-to-severe RA that has been refractory to treatment with Enbrel (etanercept) or Remicade (infliximab)." - from MedPage Today
"The FDA today approved Rituxan (rituximab), a therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rituxan was indicated for use in combination with methotrexate in patients with moderate-to-severe RA that has been refractory to treatment with Enbrel (etanercept) or Remicade (infliximab)." - from MedPage Today
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Study: Inflammation causes RA lymphoma risk
"Experts have long known that rheumatoid arthritis boosts the risk for lymphoma, but the reason for this connection has remained unclear. Now, Swedish research suggests it isn't due to the treatments for the disease, as some had feared. Instead, chronic inflammation linked to illness appears to be the culprit, with cancer risk rising as the arthritis worsens. According to experts, this means that drugs that keep rheumatoid inflammation to a minimum may be crucial in curbing both the arthritis and its associated lymphoma risk." - from HealthDay
"Experts have long known that rheumatoid arthritis boosts the risk for lymphoma, but the reason for this connection has remained unclear. Now, Swedish research suggests it isn't due to the treatments for the disease, as some had feared. Instead, chronic inflammation linked to illness appears to be the culprit, with cancer risk rising as the arthritis worsens. According to experts, this means that drugs that keep rheumatoid inflammation to a minimum may be crucial in curbing both the arthritis and its associated lymphoma risk." - 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!