“Treat to target regardless of disease activity level” tops the list of recommendations for both early and established RA in the 2015 Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The guideline addresses six major topics, including DMARDs, glucocorticoids and biologics, and includes 74 recommendations. These recommendations are not prescriptive, and the treatment decisions should be made by physicians and patients together…
Low-Grade Inflammation in Symptomatic Knee OA
Although osteoarthritis (OA) was formerly considered a non-inflammatory joint disease, it’s now well-appreciated that inflammatory mediators, such as PGE2 and IL-1β, are produced by osteoarthritic joint tissues and can be used to identify patients with symptomatic knee OA. A peripheral blood leukocyte inflammatory transcriptome identifies a subset of symptomatic knee OA patients at higher risk for radiographic progression and may reflect persistent low-grade joint inflammation…
How Hospitals Rank in Treating Childhood-Onset SLE
A recent study of how medical facilities in three countries meet minimum care standards for patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus found a wide variation in quality of care…
Can We Get Closer to a Cure for RA?
Despite new therapeutics, progress for RA patients has virtually stalled over the past 10 years. In this article, the authors discuss many options to advance to a cure and the evidence for them, including the combination of low-dose methotrexate and anti-TNF; targeting angiogenesis and tissue damage pathways directly; antigen-specific therapy; potential combination of TNF and IL17 blockade; and targeting inhibitory receptors and regulatory T cells.
Knee Replacement May ‘Turn Back the Clock’ for Arthritis Pain
(Reuters Health)—Knee replacement surgery may significantly ease pain and improve leg function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a new study suggests. While surgery doesn’t restore the same level of comfort and function patients had in their younger years, before they developed arthritis, the authors write in the journal…
Do Diet & the Environment Induce RA via ACPA Generation?
A new study has examined how ACPA may originate at the molecular level. The researchers propose that numerous environmental factors may trigger the generation of ACPAs that then cross-react with various citrullinated human autoantigens through molecular mimicry to induce RA…
International Consensus Statement on the Management & Treatment of IgG4-Related Disease
IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory condition that affects multiple organs and can lead to tumefactive, tissue-destructive lesions and organ failure. An international panel of experts has released a consensus statement on its management…
“The Pisetsky Effect”* Helps Mold The Rheumatologist into a Vibrant Publication
Colleagues and contributors share thoughts as the first editor’s tenure comes to a close
Science from our Sisters
Recommended reading from A&R and AC&R
AC&R to Publish Monthly in 2008
In order to meet the increasing demand for rheumatology-focused articles, AC&R will begin publishing 12 issues per year in January 2008. AC&R publishes both original research and review articles that promote excellence in the clinical practice of rheumatology. Covered topics include evidence-based practice studies; clinical problems; practice guidelines; healthcare economics; healthcare policy; educational, social, and public health issues; and future trends in rheumatology practice.