Based on decades of data from dietary and other lifestyle interventions, doctors have long known that significant weight loss can be an effective treatment for people who are overweight and have knee osteoarthritis (OA). One meta-analysis showed that OA pain, function and stiffness scores improved by 2% for every 1% in lost weight.1 But the…
A new study questions whether acetaminophen is a risk-free pain reliever for patients aged 65 and older, including those with osteoarthritis (OA). Although acetaminophen is often touted as an alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, a population-based cohort study found it carried an increased risk of peptic ulcers, bleeding and other side…
The development of a vaccine for COVID-19 changed the course of the pandemic; however, it also raised questions about whether to withhold or reduce immunosuppressive therapies and other medications for patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (IRMD), note the authors of a new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. An argument for…
The development of a vaccine for COVID-19 changed the course of the pandemic; however, it also raised questions about whether to withhold or reduce immunosuppressive therapies and other medications for patients with inflammatory, rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (IRMD), note the authors of a new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. An argument for…
Inebilizumab reduces the risk of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) flares and increases the likelihood of flare-free, complete remission at one year, a recent study shows.1 The randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled MITIGATE trial showed that inebilizumab reduced the risk of IgG4-RD symptoms by 87%, compared with placebo. About IgG4-RD IgG4-RD is chronic, rare condition that has, so…
For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), analyzing immune cell diversity in peripheral blood revealed five major immunotype groups, each exhibiting a different response to various biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This is according to a 2024 study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Disease that aimed to stratify the patients based on…
Arthritis Care & Research (AC&R), a peer-reviewed journal published monthly, comprises original research, review articles and editorials that “move clinical research and practice forward in a meaningful way,” according to AC&R Editor-in-Chief Kelli D. Allen, PhD. That includes research on evidence-based practice; clinical problems; practice guidelines; educational, social, and public health issues; health economics and…
Maternal Health Insights in Patients with SLE The impact of pregnancy readiness on lupus activity, maternal mental health & pregnancy outcomes By Ceshae Harding, MD, & Megan Clowse, MD, MPH Why was this study done? Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are pregnant have increased risks of risks maternal and fetal mortality, preeclampsia and…
ACR President Carol A. Langford, MD, MPH, highlights the importance of research in the field and where to find resources and initiatives within the ACR to support, fund, inspire, and enhance innovation. For more on this important topic, see Dr. Langford’s column in the January issue of The Rheumatologist.
Patients with RA not only suffer from functional limitations, but also face increased healthcare costs, primarily due to prescription drug use, says Dr. Yinan Huang.