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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Friday, February 29, 2008
Fibromyalgia Sufferers Could Benefit From A Regular Dip
"People suffering from fibromyalgia could benefit significantly from regular exercise in a heated swimming pool, a study published in the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy shows. The findings suggest a cost effective way of improving quality of life for patients with this often-debilitating disorder." - more from Medical News Today
"People suffering from fibromyalgia could benefit significantly from regular exercise in a heated swimming pool, a study published in the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy shows. The findings suggest a cost effective way of improving quality of life for patients with this often-debilitating disorder." - more from Medical News Today
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Doctors Are In. The Jury Is Out. - New York Times
The public editor at the New York Times has responded to what must have been a lot of feedback (letters here) to their article on Fibromyalgia and Lyrica:
"A front-page article on Jan. 14 reported on an ad campaign for the first medicine approved for fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue, “whose very existence is questioned by some doctors.”" - click more from The New York Times
To clarify Dr. Wolfe's position, he thinks current research supports viewing fibromyalgia as a syndrome, not a disease. The symptoms are quite real and can be helped with treatment.
The public editor at the New York Times has responded to what must have been a lot of feedback (letters here) to their article on Fibromyalgia and Lyrica:
"A front-page article on Jan. 14 reported on an ad campaign for the first medicine approved for fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue, “whose very existence is questioned by some doctors.”" - click more from The New York Times
To clarify Dr. Wolfe's position, he thinks current research supports viewing fibromyalgia as a syndrome, not a disease. The symptoms are quite real and can be helped with treatment.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
LFA Unveils New Lupus Education Materials
"The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is proud to unveil its new line of updated and revised lupus education materials. Five new booklets, eleven fact sheets and five quick guides provide the latest medically sound information about lupus diagnosis and treatment. The publications feature easy-to-read text within a colorful layout to help individuals with lupus and others learn about lupus and its consequences.
The new publications are appropriate for use at health fairs, doctors' offices, hospitals, schools, and education programs. Bulk orders of these new materials are available for purchase through the LFA store. Single copies are available by contacting the LFA Patient Navigator or any chapter office." - from Medical News Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is proud to unveil its new line of updated and revised lupus education materials. Five new booklets, eleven fact sheets and five quick guides provide the latest medically sound information about lupus diagnosis and treatment. The publications feature easy-to-read text within a colorful layout to help individuals with lupus and others learn about lupus and its consequences.
The new publications are appropriate for use at health fairs, doctors' offices, hospitals, schools, and education programs. Bulk orders of these new materials are available for purchase through the LFA store. Single copies are available by contacting the LFA Patient Navigator or any chapter office." - from Medical News Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Spinning works for osteoarthritis
"Exercise is highly recommended for people with arthritis. But, is Spinning© a viable option for those with osteoarthritis? Spinning© is a form of group exercise that involves the use of stationary bicycles in a classroom setting. A new study from Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh has found that Spinning© actually reduces pain and improves symptoms associated with osteoarthritis." - from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
"Exercise is highly recommended for people with arthritis. But, is Spinning© a viable option for those with osteoarthritis? Spinning© is a form of group exercise that involves the use of stationary bicycles in a classroom setting. A new study from Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh has found that Spinning© actually reduces pain and improves symptoms associated with osteoarthritis." - from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Friday, February 01, 2008
Depression not discussed during rheumatoid arthritis doctor visits
"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common chronic inflammatory arthritis, are twice as likely as other individuals to experience depression. Although depression in primary care has been well studied, no studies have examined whether rheumatologists and RA patients discuss depression during medical visits. A new study published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritiscare) found that patients whose activities were more restricted due to their arthritis were more than twice as likely to have moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression. It also found that few depressed patients discussed their condition with their rheumatologists and the subject was always brought up by the patients as opposed to the physicians." - from eurekalert:
"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common chronic inflammatory arthritis, are twice as likely as other individuals to experience depression. Although depression in primary care has been well studied, no studies have examined whether rheumatologists and RA patients discuss depression during medical visits. A new study published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritiscare) found that patients whose activities were more restricted due to their arthritis were more than twice as likely to have moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression. It also found that few depressed patients discussed their condition with their rheumatologists and the subject was always brought up by the patients as opposed to the physicians." - from eurekalert:
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!