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Related terms: Arthritis, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, RA

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Rising Obesity Rates Might Mean More Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted 4 May 2012 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, May 4 – A new study suggests that severe weight gain might raise the risk for rheumatoid arthritis – a painful, chronic ailment – especially among obese women. The epidemiological research indicated that about half of the increase in rheumatoid arthritis cases in one Minnesota county may be linked to rising obesity rates there over three decades. "The findings outline yet another disease, or disease group, associated with the current obesity epidemic," said study co-author Dr. Sherine Gabriel. "We are likely to see an increasing incidence of rheumatoid arthritis as a result of the increasing prevalence of obesity if we don't address this health crisis." Moreover, the research suggested that obesity precedeS the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, said Gabriel, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The impact of obesity on rheumatoid ... Read more

Related support groups: Obesity, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anxiety, Depression Often Go Hand-in-Hand With Arthritis

Posted 30 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, April 30 – Depression or anxiety affect one-third of Americans with arthritis who are aged 45 or older, a new study shows. Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found that even though anxiety is nearly twice as common as depression among people with arthritis, doctors tend to focus more on depression in these patients. The study included nearly 1,800 people with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions who took part in the CDC's Arthritis Conditions and Health Effects Survey. Among the study participants, 31 percent reported anxiety and 18 percent reported depression. One-third of the patients reported at least one of the two conditions and 84 percent of those with depression also had anxiety. Only half of those with anxiety or depression sought mental health treatment in the previous year, according to the study, which was published in the ... Read more

Related support groups: Anxiety, Depression, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gastro Woes Often Strike Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Posted 9 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, April 9 – People with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk for gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers and bleeding, and also for death related to gastrointestinal issues, a new study says. The findings highlight the need to develop new ways to prevent and treat gastrointestinal complications in rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to the Mayo Clinic researchers. They examined data collected from 813 rheumatoid arthritis patients and an equal number of patients without the disease between 1980 and 2008. During that time, the incidence of upper gastrointestinal problems in rheumatoid arthritis patients declined but was still higher than in people without rheumatoid arthritis: 2.9 vs. 1.7 per 100-person years. Rheumatoid arthritis patients also had a higher rate of lower gastrointestinal problems than people without RA: 2.1 vs. 1.4 per 100-person years. The ... Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Early and Aggressively: Guidelines

Posted 5 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, April 5 – More aggressive treatment for people in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is among the most important changes recommended in updated American College of Rheumatology treatment guidelines. This change is the result of emerging opinions that RA-related joint damage is irreversible and that early, intensive treatment helps preserve patients' physical function, quality of life and ability to work. More than 1 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease that causes pain and swelling in the lining of joints. Three-quarters of those with RA are women. The updated treatment recommendations guide doctors in the use of two main classes of rheumatoid arthritis treatment: disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologic agents. "With so many new advances in the treatment of RA since 2008, it was important to update recommendations now as the ... Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Who Quit Statins May Face Raised Death Risk

Posted 28 Mar 2012 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, March 28 – People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis who stop taking their cholesterol-lowering drugs may raise their risk of dying, a new study finds. In fact, those who stopped taking statins raised their chances of dying from cardiovascular disease by 60 percent and dying from any cause by 79 percent during the course of the study, the Canadian researchers reported. Since rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, patients often are prescribed statins such as Lipitor (atorvastatin) or Crestor (rosuvastatin) to lower their cholesterol. "Doctor knows best," said Dr. Richard Furie, chief of the division of rheumatology at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Lake Success, N.Y. "Whatever medicines your doctor puts you on, take them all." "We know that in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular events are a ... Read more

Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Fertility Woes, Miscarriage

Posted 16 Feb 2012 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, Feb. 16 – Women with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus often have fewer children than they'd hoped for, according to a new study. These autoimmune diseases, which typically develop during women's reproductive years, cause fertility problems and miscarriage, researchers said. Lupus causes the body's immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to painful joint inflammation. For the study, researchers asked 578 women with rheumatoid arthritis and 114 women with lupus about their reproductive health, and divided them into three groups according to how their condition affected their desire and ability to have children. Group A included women who had fewer children than planned. Group B was comprised of women who had number of children they had planned for, and women in Group C were no longer interested in having children due to ... Read more

Too Many Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Inactive, Study Finds

Posted 26 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, Jan. 26 – More than 40 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients live a sedentary life, a new study finds. It used to be thought that medication and rest was the best treatment, but now experts believe physical activity is important to keep joints flexible, improve balance and strength and reduce pain, the researchers noted. "Our results suggest that public health initiatives need to address the lack of motivation to exercise and to promote the benefits of physical activity to reduce the prevalence of inactivity in those with rheumatoid arthritis," said lead researcher Jungwha Lee, an assistant professor in the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Physical inactivity among these patients is a public health concern, Lee said. "Enhancing strong motivation for physical activity and strong beliefs in the benefits of ... Read more

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More Known About Proteins That Cause Autoimmune Diseases

Posted 17 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Jan. 17 – A new study says more than 32 million people in the United States have autoantibodies, which are proteins produced in the immune system that attack the body's tissues. Autoantibodies can cause autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and type 1 diabetes, researchers say. Researchers examined blood serum samples taken from almost 4,800 people who participated in the 1994-2004 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The research team was looking for the most common type of autoantibody, called antinuclear antibodies (ANA). The overall prevalence of antinuclear antibodies was about 14 percent and was slightly higher in blacks than in whites. Frequency generally increased with age and was higher in women than in men, with the female-to-male ratio peaking at 40 to 49 years and then declining with age. "The peak of autoimmunity in females ... Read more

Health Tip: House Cleaning With Arthritis

Posted 6 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com

-- Arthritis pain and stiffness can make it difficult to take care of household chores and cleaning. The Arthritis Foundation offers these suggestions: To avoid reaching high and bending low, attach your dust rag to an empty roll from gift wrapping paper. Instead of using your hands, use a wooden pizza paddle to help tuck in your sheets while making a bed. Also while making a bed, choose a smooth, lightweight comforter that you can easily slip over the sheets. Put a pair of old socks or gloves on your hands to dust. If your home has two stories, keep a vacuum cleaner and set of cleaning supplies on each floor. Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis

Health Tip: Exercising With Arthritis

Posted 29 Dec 2011 by Drugs.com

-- Physical activity, an important part of arthritis management, can help improve pain and joint flexibility. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these low-impact exercises that offer benefits without undue strain on the joints: Aerobic exercises, including swimming, biking, water aerobics, dancing, walking at a fast pace, and gardening. Exercises that strengthen the muscles, including calisthenics and weight training. Exercises that help improve balance, including tai chi, walking backward and standing on one foot. Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis

Mindfulness Training May Help Arthritis Patients Cope

Posted 20 Dec 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Dec. 20 – A small study finds that mindfulness training, which teaches people to push away troublesome thoughts, helped improve well-being in people with rheumatoid arthritis and similar diseases. Patients in Norway who received the training didn't have less pain compared to those who didn't receive the training, but researchers found they coped better, were less tired and showed less stress. "Yes, they still have pain, but they are able to manage their pain in more constructive ways," said study author Heidi Zangi, a graduate student at the National Resource Center for Rehabilitation in Rheumatology at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Oslo. Mindfulness training teaches people to "stay in the here and now," explained Stefan G. Hofmann, a professor of psychology at Boston University. "It keeps people in the present moment. The instructions are often to focus on breathing or ... Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis

More Americans Exercise, but Arthritis Can Get in the Way

Posted 8 Dec 2011 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, Dec. 8 – Exercise is good medicine, and the number of American adults who did no physical activity in their leisure time decreased from 31 percent in 1989 to 25 percent in 2008, researchers have found. But further gains may be difficult to achieve because certain subgroups of people are highly unlikely to exercise, such as those with arthritis, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of the roughly 50 million U.S. adults with arthritis, which causes joint pain and swelling, are physically inactive because of discomfort or fears that exercise will make their arthritis worse, the CDC researchers said. The study involved an analysis of data from nearly 433,000 people who took part in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, a telephone survey conducted in all states, territories and Washington, D.C. Even though ... Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis

Autoimmune Woes May Raise Risk for Lung Clots

Posted 27 Nov 2011 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, Nov. 25 – Patients hospitalized for autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, may be at greater risk for a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, a clot in a main artery of the lung, a new study finds. Reporting online Nov. 25 in The Lancet, researchers warned that steps should be taken to prevent this condition among patients admitted to the hospital for autoimmune diseases. In conducting the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 500,000 patients admitted to the hospital in Sweden for one of 33 autoimmune diseases, which can also include Grave's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and chronic rheumatic heart disease. The team, led by Dr. Bengt Zoller of Malmo University Hospital in Sweden, found the overall risk of pulmonary embolism in the 12 months following hospitalization to be six times higher for patients with autoimmune diseases than for ... Read more

Health Tip: Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Damage Joints

Posted 22 Nov 2011 by Drugs.com

-- Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic swelling and inflammation in the joints, which can result in permanent damage and long-term complications. The Cleveland Clinic cites these possible symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: Joints that are swollen, painful, red and tender to the touch. Worn cartilage – the cushions at the ends of bones. Buildup of fluid in and around the joints. Bones that rub against each other. In chronic cases, potential permanent bone damage. Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Studies Suggest Link Between Smog, Joint Disease

Posted 6 Nov 2011 by Drugs.com

SATURDAY, Nov. 5 – Exposure to certain types of air pollution is associated with an increased risk for the painful joint disease known as rheumatoid arthritis, new research suggests. This link is strongest for sulfur dioxide, one of the six most common air pollutants in the United States, according to the findings from two studies scheduled to be presented Wednesday at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting, in Chicago. In the studies, investigators looked at 2,092 rheumatoid arthritis patients and more than 93,000 people without the disease in the United States and Sweden, and used their home addresses to estimate their long-term exposure to several common air pollutants, both gaseous (for example, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) and particulate (soot or dust). There was no evidence of increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis associated with ... Read more

Related support groups: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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