During ACR Convergence 2023, experts discussed developments in the treatment and diagnosis of osteoporosis, addressing risks of treatment discontinuation, the use of bone turnover markers in patient assessment and vitamin D.
Supplemental Vitamin D May Not Protect Against Fractures in Healthy Adults
Supplemental vitamin D may not significantly lower the risk of fractures in generally healthy adults compared with placebo, according to a large study by LeBoff et al.
Sarcoidosis in the Spotlight: Screening, Treatment & More Insights into Sarcoidosis
An expert discussed the screening and treatment of sarcoidosis and drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reactions during the 2021 ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium.
Vitamin D, Calcium Supplements May Not Lower Fracture Risk
(Reuters Health)—Older adults who take vitamin D and calcium are no less likely to break their hips or other bones than peers who don’t use these supplements, a research review suggests. Researchers examined data from 33 previous trials with a total of more than 51,000 people aged 50 or older who were living in the…
Vitamin D May Improve Outcomes for Patients with Early RA
A recent study examined the differences in T helper cell subtypes and osteoclast precursors between patients with early RA and healthy controls. Researchers found that standard treatment combined with a single dose of cholecalcipherol may better improve the general health of patients…
Low Levels of Vitamin D3 May Increase OA Pain
In a study of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), researchers found that the cytokine IL-17A may play a role in the pain associated with the disease. Specifically, decreased serum levels of vitamin D3 may contribute to OA pain via the regulation of immune responses…
Vitamin D May Improve Heart Health in Patients with Lupus
A new study has found that treating patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with vitamin D decreases cardiovascular risk in these patients—specifically by modifying the body’s endothelial repair mechanisms. Researchers found myeloid angiogenic cells in this patient population presented with a global impairment, including decreased migration and angiogenic capacity…
Improve RA Care with Vitamin D
Background Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematous, occur when the body attacks its own tissue because it cannot differentiate between self and non-self. This is mainly through deregulation of the immune system. Vitamin D has been known to play a critical role in bone mineralization and bone health. Activated vitamin…
Vitamin D in Rheumatology: Cause and Effect Unclear
The controversy over vitamin D is hearty enough to confuse even seasoned rheumatologists, says Nathan Wei, MD, The Arthritis Treatment Center, Frederick, Md. “It’s like what you hear with coffee. One week, [a study finds] coffee is … good for you; the next week, there’s a study saying it’s bad for you,” he says. Vitamin…
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