Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) refers to inflammation of the joints in the spine, causing pain and stiffness of the back, progressing to the chest and neck. Eventually, the whole back may become curved and inflexible if the bones fuse. Also known as rheumatoid spondylitis or Marie-Str?mpell disease or Bamboo spine.

Inflammatory disease therapies do not increase shingles risk

Use of certain therapies for inflammatory diseases does not appear to increase risk of shingles – Although patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a disproportionately higher incidence of herpes zoster (shingles), an analysis that included nearly 60,000 patients with RA and other inflammatory diseases found that those who initiated anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies were not at higher risk of herpes zoster compared with patients who initiated nonbiologic treatment regimens.

Remicade infliximab approved to treat ulcerative colitis in children

FDA approves Remicade to treat ulcerative colitis in children older than 6 years – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Remicade (infliximab) to treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in children older than 6 years who have had inadequate response to conventional therapy.

Two new genes identified causing ankylosing spondylitis

UT rheumatologists advance genetic research related to disabling form of arthritis – Work done in part by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has led to the discovery of two new genes that are implicated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory and potentially disabling disease.

TNF blockers will have boxed warning cancer risk

FDA: Cancer Warnings Required for TNF Blockers – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring stronger warnings in the prescribing information for a class of drugs known as TNF blockers or TNF inhibitors.