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, May 30, 2006
Doctor-patient trust is a key factor in treatment
"Doctors skilled in communicating with patients do much better when it comes to treating the rheumatic diseases, a new study finds. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, say patient-centered communication helps build trust between doctor and patient -- a key factor in promoting improved quality of life, compliance with treatment, and better health outcomes." - from HealthDay
"Doctors skilled in communicating with patients do much better when it comes to treating the rheumatic diseases, a new study finds. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, say patient-centered communication helps build trust between doctor and patient -- a key factor in promoting improved quality of life, compliance with treatment, and better health outcomes." - from HealthDay
Thursday, May 18, 2006
More on anti-TNF drugs and cancer, infection risk
"Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with new and potent 'TNF-blocking' drugs are at higher risk of developing cancer and serious infections, according to a new review of the available data. 'This is the clearest indication that we have that the drugs contribute to the risk,' said senior study investigator Dr. Eric Matteson, a professor of medicine and consultant in rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Other experts still question whether it is the drugs that are responsible for the heightened risk, or if the disease itself is responsible. 'It's just hard to sort out the malignancy issue on this,' said Dr. Stephen Lindsey, head of rheumatology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. 'Do we really know if it's the medicine itself or the fact that these patients [taking this therapy] are the sickest? We're still trying to sort out the degree to which medicine plays a role, and the degree to which rheumatoid arthritis plays a role.'" - from HealthDay
"Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with new and potent 'TNF-blocking' drugs are at higher risk of developing cancer and serious infections, according to a new review of the available data. 'This is the clearest indication that we have that the drugs contribute to the risk,' said senior study investigator Dr. Eric Matteson, a professor of medicine and consultant in rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Other experts still question whether it is the drugs that are responsible for the heightened risk, or if the disease itself is responsible. 'It's just hard to sort out the malignancy issue on this,' said Dr. Stephen Lindsey, head of rheumatology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. 'Do we really know if it's the medicine itself or the fact that these patients [taking this therapy] are the sickest? We're still trying to sort out the degree to which medicine plays a role, and the degree to which rheumatoid arthritis plays a role.'" - from HealthDay
Friday, May 12, 2006
New Merck Study: Vioxx increases risks
"Merck & Co. said Thursday that patients who took the withdrawn Vioxx pain pill had a higher risk of heart attacks and stroke compared with those on placebo in a four-year study that included a follow-up to the research that prompted the recall. The preliminary analysis has been provided to regulatory agencies, the company said. For the year after the patients stopped taking the drug, the study found no statistically significant difference in risk between the two groups, Merck said. Merck General Counsel Kenneth Frazier said the results will not change Merck's strategy of fighting, one by one, the many lawsuits filed by former Vioxx users and their families alleging the one-time blockbuster arthritis drug caused heart attacks, strokes and deaths." - from chicagotribune.com
"Merck & Co. said Thursday that patients who took the withdrawn Vioxx pain pill had a higher risk of heart attacks and stroke compared with those on placebo in a four-year study that included a follow-up to the research that prompted the recall. The preliminary analysis has been provided to regulatory agencies, the company said. For the year after the patients stopped taking the drug, the study found no statistically significant difference in risk between the two groups, Merck said. Merck General Counsel Kenneth Frazier said the results will not change Merck's strategy of fighting, one by one, the many lawsuits filed by former Vioxx users and their families alleging the one-time blockbuster arthritis drug caused heart attacks, strokes and deaths." - from chicagotribune.com
Thursday, May 11, 2006
New hip reoplacement saves more bone
"A replacement hip that conserves more of a patient's bone than do traditional artificial hips has received federal approval and should be available this summer, the manufacturer said Wednesday. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System uses a cap to replace only the head or ball atop the thigh bone, while adding a cup to replace the damaged surface of the hip socket, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The cap moves within the cup, their highly polished metal surfaces rubbing against one another, to mimic the natural movement of the hip." - fron SFGate News
"A replacement hip that conserves more of a patient's bone than do traditional artificial hips has received federal approval and should be available this summer, the manufacturer said Wednesday. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System uses a cap to replace only the head or ball atop the thigh bone, while adding a cup to replace the damaged surface of the hip socket, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The cap moves within the cup, their highly polished metal surfaces rubbing against one another, to mimic the natural movement of the hip." - fron SFGate News
New knees just for women
"U.S. regulators gave their approval on Wednesday to artificial knee shaped specifically to fit women, orthopedic device maker Zimmer Holdings Inc. said. Zimmer said its "Gender Solutions" replacement knee is designed to alleviate pain, improve mobility and feel more natural in women, who receive nearly two thirds of all knee implants. The design incorporates shape differences between women and men involving the bones, ligaments and tendons of the knee, the company said." - from Reuters
"U.S. regulators gave their approval on Wednesday to artificial knee shaped specifically to fit women, orthopedic device maker Zimmer Holdings Inc. said. Zimmer said its "Gender Solutions" replacement knee is designed to alleviate pain, improve mobility and feel more natural in women, who receive nearly two thirds of all knee implants. The design incorporates shape differences between women and men involving the bones, ligaments and tendons of the knee, the company said." - from Reuters
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Childbearing choices and RA
"The lower birth rate among women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may reflect decisions by these women to limit family size, results of a recent study suggest, rather than any reduction in fertility. Dr. Patricia P. Katz, of the University of California, San Francisco, studied 411 married women with RA, who completed structured telephone interviews regarding childbearing history and decisions. At the time of the interview, the women were an average of 62 years old, ranging from 19 to 92 years, and had had arthritis for an average of 20 years." - from MedlinePlus
"The lower birth rate among women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may reflect decisions by these women to limit family size, results of a recent study suggest, rather than any reduction in fertility. Dr. Patricia P. Katz, of the University of California, San Francisco, studied 411 married women with RA, who completed structured telephone interviews regarding childbearing history and decisions. At the time of the interview, the women were an average of 62 years old, ranging from 19 to 92 years, and had had arthritis for an average of 20 years." - from MedlinePlus
Friday, May 05, 2006
Suggested changes for treating chronic illness
Proper care for the chronically ill requires changes in the role of the physician and the patient, the places where it occurs and the overall nature of care, says Dr. Halsted Holman, rheumatologist and professor of medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif....So he suggested that the nature of care for the chronically ill should change by shifting the goal from cure to function and comfort, establishing management goals with the person and their family and providing care by a team, which includes the person with the disease. The person with the chronic illness should also start to take more responsibility for their own health and learn new ways to do that, Holman said, for example by better adherence to medication, more exercise and better emotional adjustment. - from The Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Proper care for the chronically ill requires changes in the role of the physician and the patient, the places where it occurs and the overall nature of care, says Dr. Halsted Holman, rheumatologist and professor of medicine at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif....So he suggested that the nature of care for the chronically ill should change by shifting the goal from cure to function and comfort, establishing management goals with the person and their family and providing care by a team, which includes the person with the disease. The person with the chronic illness should also start to take more responsibility for their own health and learn new ways to do that, Holman said, for example by better adherence to medication, more exercise and better emotional adjustment. - from The Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Researchers find gene associated with Lupus
"The on-line journal, Nature Genetics, reports that Dr. Timothy W. Behrens, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota and colleagues have identified a variant of a gene that is associated with lupus... Lupus is likely to be caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Although knowledge about the regions of chromosomes on which lupus genes seem to be located has been advancing, actual identification of genes that might contribute to this condition has been limited. This is because the genetics of lupus is highly complex with likely dozens of genes involved that will vary among different ethnic groups and among affected individuals within these groups. Thus, there will not be one gene found for lupus, but many that are likely to differ from person to person." - from Lupus Foundation of America News
"The on-line journal, Nature Genetics, reports that Dr. Timothy W. Behrens, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota and colleagues have identified a variant of a gene that is associated with lupus... Lupus is likely to be caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Although knowledge about the regions of chromosomes on which lupus genes seem to be located has been advancing, actual identification of genes that might contribute to this condition has been limited. This is because the genetics of lupus is highly complex with likely dozens of genes involved that will vary among different ethnic groups and among affected individuals within these groups. Thus, there will not be one gene found for lupus, but many that are likely to differ from person to person." - from Lupus Foundation of America News
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Avoiding the agony of the handshake
"A handshake--simple etiquette we practice throughout our whole life without giving it a second thought. We meet someone, extend our hand, grip the other's palm firmly, and then--simply shake. But what if the hand you are shaking is stiff, swollen and aching from arthritis?" - from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
"A handshake--simple etiquette we practice throughout our whole life without giving it a second thought. We meet someone, extend our hand, grip the other's palm firmly, and then--simply shake. But what if the hand you are shaking is stiff, swollen and aching from arthritis?" - from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training 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!