Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, or other causes. It occurs in various forms, such as bacterial arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

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.

Anti aging drug may be available within five years

Anti-aging drug breakthrough — potential to prevent age-related diseases and extend lifespans – Drugs that combat ageing may be available within five years, following landmark work led by an Australian researcher. The study finally proves that a single anti-ageing enzyme in the body can be targeted, with the potential to prevent age-related diseases and extend lifespans.

Weight loss may prevent and treat osteoarthritis in obese

Weight loss may prevent, treat osteoarthritis in obese patients — Obesity may trigger biomechanical changes, pathways that contribute to osteoarthritis – Weight loss may prevent and significantly alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, a progressive disease of the joints known as “wear and tear” arthritis. Obesity actually may trigger the biomechanical and inflammatory changes that cause osteoarthritis, and the pain and loss of mobility associated with the condition.

Acupuncture may be better for chronic pain

Study suggests acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture, sham acupuncture for chronic pain – An analysis of patient data from 29 randomized controlled trials suggests that acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture or sham acupuncture for the treatment of some chronic pain.

4 times cancer rate in children with juvenile arthritis

Cancer rate 4 times higher in children with juvenile arthritis — Increase not necessarily linked to arthritis treatments, including TNF inhibitors – New research reports that incident malignancy among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is four times higher than in those without the disease. Findings suggest JIA treatment, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, does not necessarily explain the development of cancer in this pediatric population.

63% women suffer from some knee pain

Knee pain common complaint in middle-aged and mature women — Study finds pain patterns vary over a 12-year period – 63% of women age 50 and older reported persistent, incident, or intermittent knee pain during a 12-year study period, revealed by researchers. Predictors for persistent pain included higher body mass index (BMI), previous knee injury, and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA).

Poor sleep habits increases fibromyalgia risk in middle aged and older women

Poor sleep habits linked to increased risk of fibromyalgia in women — Middle-aged and older women with sleep problems are at greater risk – Researchers from Norway have uncovered an association between sleep problems and increased risk of fibromyalgia in women. The risk of fibromyalgia increased with severity of sleep problems, and the association was stronger among middle-aged and older women than among younger women.

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.

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