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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Monday, October 23, 2006
Arthritis self-care study shows limited benefits
"'Self-care' programs that help patients manage osteoarthritis on their own reduced some of the anxiety associated with the condition but did not ease people's pain, boost their physical functioning, or decrease doctor visits, British researchers report. Outside experts faulted the study for not having enough detail, however." - from HealthDay
"'Self-care' programs that help patients manage osteoarthritis on their own reduced some of the anxiety associated with the condition but did not ease people's pain, boost their physical functioning, or decrease doctor visits, British researchers report. Outside experts faulted the study for not having enough detail, however." - from HealthDay
Friday, October 13, 2006
More than 20 percent US adults have arthritis
"More than 20 percent of U.S. adults have arthritis and more than a third of them have limited activity because of it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Close to a third of people who are obese -- more than 31 percent -- have had a doctor diagnose them with arthritis, the CDC survey found. Women also are more likely to have arthritis. Only 16 percent of people who are of normal weight or underweight have arthritis, the survey found." - from Reuters
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"More than 20 percent of U.S. adults have arthritis and more than a third of them have limited activity because of it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Close to a third of people who are obese -- more than 31 percent -- have had a doctor diagnose them with arthritis, the CDC survey found. Women also are more likely to have arthritis. Only 16 percent of people who are of normal weight or underweight have arthritis, the survey found." - from Reuters
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Doctors and Patients at odds over pain management
"Two recent studies are showing the ongoing divide between physicians and patients when it comes to arthritis pain management. A British study of people with chronic knee pain showed that participants often got treatments that went against their personal preferences. Medication was prescribed far more frequently than physical therapy or exercise, although many patients preferred non-drug treatments. Yet, a Canadian study released earlier this year suggested that although patients are reluctant to take pain medications, the drugs can actually improve their daily lives." - from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"Two recent studies are showing the ongoing divide between physicians and patients when it comes to arthritis pain management. A British study of people with chronic knee pain showed that participants often got treatments that went against their personal preferences. Medication was prescribed far more frequently than physical therapy or exercise, although many patients preferred non-drug treatments. Yet, a Canadian study released earlier this year suggested that although patients are reluctant to take pain medications, the drugs can actually improve their daily lives." - from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Risks and benefits similar for most common osteoarthritis drugs
"Two classes of drugs commonly used to treat osteoarthritis - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors (a newer generation of NSAIDs) - present similar, increased risks of heart attacks while offering about the same level of pain relief, according to a new report by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.... Researchers emphasized in their analysis, however, that all drugs pose potential harms along with benefits. Patients differ widely on how they react to drugs, how they prioritize risks, and whether risks are acceptable when compared to a drug's benefits. Patients should talk to their doctors before changing any medications." - from Medical News Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"Two classes of drugs commonly used to treat osteoarthritis - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors (a newer generation of NSAIDs) - present similar, increased risks of heart attacks while offering about the same level of pain relief, according to a new report by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.... Researchers emphasized in their analysis, however, that all drugs pose potential harms along with benefits. Patients differ widely on how they react to drugs, how they prioritize risks, and whether risks are acceptable when compared to a drug's benefits. Patients should talk to their doctors before changing any medications." - from Medical News Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Monday, October 02, 2006
Exercise before surgery reduces rehab for knee, hip replacements
"Osteoarthritis is increasingly common among aging Americans and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Exercise is often used in treating osteoarthritis and is an important part in rehabilitation following joint replacement. The level of function prior to knee and hip replacement has been shown to be strongly related to function after surgery, yet little is known about the effects of exercise on patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. A study published in the October 2006 issue of Arthritis Care & Research (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritiscare) examined whether an exercise program prior to hip or knee replacement would benefit patients in terms of function, pain, and muscle strength before or after surgery." - from the American College of Rheumatology
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"Osteoarthritis is increasingly common among aging Americans and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Exercise is often used in treating osteoarthritis and is an important part in rehabilitation following joint replacement. The level of function prior to knee and hip replacement has been shown to be strongly related to function after surgery, yet little is known about the effects of exercise on patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. A study published in the October 2006 issue of Arthritis Care & Research (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritiscare) examined whether an exercise program prior to hip or knee replacement would benefit patients in terms of function, pain, and muscle strength before or after surgery." - from the American College of Rheumatology
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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!