Over the past few years rheumatoid arthritis researchers have noticed decline in reporting of women with the disease. In an article published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases a study reports that researchers compared 136 women with rheumatoid arthritis with 544 women of a similar age without the disease. They found that those who had […] Read more

Arthritis affects 21% of the population and the most common cause of disability in the United States. Diabetes affects 7% of the American population–nearly a third unaware that they have the disease. Patients with both arthritis and diabetes are caught in a conundrum. Physical activity is painful, yet their diabetes improves with physical activity. According […] Read more

As baby-boomers become senior-boomers arthritis is projected to increase by 40%–affecting 67 million Americans–in the next 2 decades. At issue is improving and managing arthritis pain. Leigh Callahan, PhD, Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, evaluated the basic 8-week Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program. The study showed: The exercise program is suitable for […] Read more

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and cardiovascular diseases. The causes are unknown, but the disturbed balance of blood fats may be part of the explanation. Johan Frostegård, professor, Karolinska Institute, found that a gluten-free vegan diet reduces cardiovascular risk in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants in the […] Read more

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is estimated to have a financial impact into the tens of billions of dollars worldwide. In recent years new rheumatoid arthritis drugs have been shown to increase the chances for remission, halting of the progression of joint damage and improve, or prevent, disability. Access to these drugs in developed countries varies greatly, […] Read more

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are twice as likely to experience depression as their otherwise healthy peers. Betsy Sleath, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, studied 200 RA patients from 4 rheumatology clinics, seeing one of 8 participating physicians. The patient’s doctor visit was audio taped as well as being interviewed after the visit with a […] Read more

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Patients with RA tend to die younger and largely from cardiovascular disease (CVD). A marker of inflammation is an elevation of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and has been shown to predict CVD. Dr. Tracey M. Farragher, University of Manchester, wondered why other inflammatory diseases, like Crohn’s disease, […] Read more

In September 2004 Viox was withdrawn from the market. Viox was found to interfere with the heart. The debate of selective COX-2 inhibition drugs, like Viox and Celebrex continues in the medical community because of their potential for adverse side effects. Satpal Singh, PH.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology, University of Buffalo School of Medicine […] Read more

Painful stimuli begins in receptors beneath the skin, in joints, and in many internal organs. Specialized nerve fibers relay these signals through the spinal column to the brain, where pain becomes conscious. In the spinal column the messenger molecule amino butyric acid (GABA) is released to act as a kind of pain filter by activating chloride channels […] Read more

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability and those who suffer from it tend to be less fit than their peers. Leigh F. Callahan, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, studied 346 people with self-reported arthritis, average age of 70-years. Participants were divided into 2 groups. In one group the participants followed the […] Read more