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, April 18, 2008
The high cost of lupus
A recent study has found people with lupus spend $10,000 to $30,000 more every year in health costs than those without the disease. Researchers from Bristol-Myers Squibb conducted a study to estimate the direct medical costs associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as lupus or SLE, is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body's own immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues such as the skin, joints, and organs. Lupus nephritis is a form of SLE that affects the kidneys. - more from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
A recent study has found people with lupus spend $10,000 to $30,000 more every year in health costs than those without the disease. Researchers from Bristol-Myers Squibb conducted a study to estimate the direct medical costs associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as lupus or SLE, is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body's own immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues such as the skin, joints, and organs. Lupus nephritis is a form of SLE that affects the kidneys. - more from Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Friday, March 28, 2008
Steroid for CFS and Fibromyalgia?
"Boosting levels of the stress hormone cortisol with low doses of hydrocortisone could help patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia feel better, a California doctor says.
Kent Holtorf, MD, says the simple treatment carries significantly less risk and greater potential for benefit than widely accepted treatments for the two conditions. But chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia experts who spoke to WebMD were not so sure." - more from WebMD
"Boosting levels of the stress hormone cortisol with low doses of hydrocortisone could help patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia feel better, a California doctor says.
Kent Holtorf, MD, says the simple treatment carries significantly less risk and greater potential for benefit than widely accepted treatments for the two conditions. But chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia experts who spoke to WebMD were not so sure." - more from WebMD
Sunday, March 23, 2008
ACTEMRA looks promising in RA study
"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Roche's ACTEMRA(TM) (tocilizumab) experienced significant and rapid reduction in the signs and symptoms of their disease, according to a study published in this week's issue of The Lancet. Results from the OPTION (TOcilizumab Pivotal Trial in Methotrexate Inadequate respONders) trial -- a Phase III international study -- demonstrated that RA patients achieved greater improvement of symptoms and a higher quality-of-life with ACTEMRA, an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor, in combination with methotrexate, compared with methotrexate plus placebo." - more from Medical News Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"Patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Roche's ACTEMRA(TM) (tocilizumab) experienced significant and rapid reduction in the signs and symptoms of their disease, according to a study published in this week's issue of The Lancet. Results from the OPTION (TOcilizumab Pivotal Trial in Methotrexate Inadequate respONders) trial -- a Phase III international study -- demonstrated that RA patients achieved greater improvement of symptoms and a higher quality-of-life with ACTEMRA, an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitor, in combination with methotrexate, compared with methotrexate plus placebo." - more from Medical News Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Lobbying for Lupus Research Funding
"On Tuesday, March 4th, advocates for the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR), on behalf of the 1.4 million Americans with lupus, described their personal experiences with the disease to their Members of Congress. ALR Advocates visited nearly 100 Congressional offices, representing 21 states, and asked their Members to support lupus research funding through the Department of Defense's (DoD) peer reviewed medical programs." - more from Medical News Today
"On Tuesday, March 4th, advocates for the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR), on behalf of the 1.4 million Americans with lupus, described their personal experiences with the disease to their Members of Congress. ALR Advocates visited nearly 100 Congressional offices, representing 21 states, and asked their Members to support lupus research funding through the Department of Defense's (DoD) peer reviewed medical programs." - more from Medical News Today
Friday, March 07, 2008
Pool Exercises May Offer Cost-Effective Help in Fibromyalgia
"Supervised exercises in a waist-deep pool of warm water may offer a cost-effective adjunctive therapy for fibromyalgia, investigators here reported. Despite adding to the cost of usual care for fibromyalgia, three hourly aquatic exercise sessions weekly for eight months fell well within economic standards for cost-effectiveness, Narcis Gusi, of the University of Extremadura, and Pablo Tomas-Carus, of the University of Evora in Portugal, reported online in Arthritis Research & Therapy." - more from MedPage Today
"Supervised exercises in a waist-deep pool of warm water may offer a cost-effective adjunctive therapy for fibromyalgia, investigators here reported. Despite adding to the cost of usual care for fibromyalgia, three hourly aquatic exercise sessions weekly for eight months fell well within economic standards for cost-effectiveness, Narcis Gusi, of the University of Extremadura, and Pablo Tomas-Carus, of the University of Evora in Portugal, reported online in Arthritis Research & Therapy." - more from MedPage Today
Monday, March 03, 2008
No Benefit to RA Found with Hormone Replacement Therapy
"Postmenopausal hormone therapy neither reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis nor eases the severity of the condition's symptoms, researchers here reported.
Participants in the Women's Health Initiative randomized to estrogen plus progestin were less likely to develop arthritis than those taking placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant, (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.10), found Brian Walitt, M.D., M.P.H., of the Washington Hospital Center, and colleagues." - more from MedPage Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
"Postmenopausal hormone therapy neither reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis nor eases the severity of the condition's symptoms, researchers here reported.
Participants in the Women's Health Initiative randomized to estrogen plus progestin were less likely to develop arthritis than those taking placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant, (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.10), found Brian Walitt, M.D., M.P.H., of the Washington Hospital Center, and colleagues." - more from MedPage Today
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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
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!