Rheumatology News and Research

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Rheumatology is a sub-specialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, devoted to the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatologists mainly deal with clinical problems involving joints, soft tissues and allied conditions of connective tissues.

Patients with RA today have easier time with daily living than patients diagnosed two decades ago

New research reveals that patients with rheumatoid arthritis today have an easier time with daily living than patients diagnosed two decades ago. According to results of the study published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology, anxiety, depressed mood and physical disability have been cut in half over the last 20 years. Researchers believe a reduction in disease activity is partly responsible for this positive change.

3 Dec 2013

People who suffer with chronic pain face daily struggle with sense of self

People who suffer with chronic musculoskeletal pain face a daily struggle with their sense of self and find it difficult to prove the legitimacy of their condition.

3 Dec 2013

Researchers find evidence that gout clusters in families

It's historically known as 'the king of diseases and the disease of kings' and was long thought to be caused by an overindulgent lifestyle, but now scientists at The University of Nottingham have confirmed that 'gout' strongly runs in families.

3 Dec 2013

Hypertension organ risk revealed in Chinese patients

A study of Chinese patients warns of the risk for target organ damage from untreated hypertension, especially for younger patients.

2 Dec 2013

Northwest ImageShare provides better patient care, shorter wait times in emergency departments

Northwest ImageShare, now installed and running at 42 locations throughout the Kitsap Peninsula, is fulfilling its initial goals of better patient care and shorter wait-times spent in the emergency department.

2 Dec 2013

Smaller micropolitan areas of the U.S. have very few rheumatologists

A novel study published in the American College of Rheumatology journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism, shows that smaller micropolitan areas of the U.S.-those with less than 50,000 people-have very few or no practicing adult rheumatologist. In some of these areas, individuals have to travel more than 200 miles to reach the closest rheumatologist.

27 Nov 2013

Researchers find that hay fever and allergies make migraines worse

People with migraine who also battle allergies and hay fever (rhinitis) endure a more severe form of headaches than their peers who struggle with migraine, but aren't affected by the seasonal or year-round sniffles, according to researchers from the University of Cincinnati, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Vedanta Research.

26 Nov 2013

New diabetes has little impact on outcomes in elderly hypertensives

Established, but not newly diagnosed, diabetes is associated with reduced survival among elderly patients with hypertension, shows an analysis of the ANBP2 study.

25 Nov 2013

Anti-epileptic drugs, bone loss and supplements

Antiepileptic drugs are medications used to prevent and control seizure disorders. These medications are also frequently used for other diagnoses other than seizures, however this current study concentrated on patients with a seizure disorder.

25 Nov 2013

Grave prognosis for heart patients with treatment-resistant hypertension

Patients with coronary artery disease have a particularly high risk for poor outcomes if they have treatment-resistant hypertension, shows an analysis of the Treating to New Targets trial.

18 Nov 2013

Researchers examine effectiveness of calorie labels at fast-food chains

Posting the calorie content of menu items at major fast-food chains in Philadelphia, per federal law, does not change purchasing habits or decrease the number of calories that those customers consume, researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center reported today at the Obesity Society's annual scientific meeting, held in Atlanta, Georgia. The results echo those conducted by the same researchers among low-income neighborhoods in New York City before and after calorie-labels were mandated there in July 2008.

16 Nov 2013

Mayo Clinic Cardio-Rheumatology Clinic created for catching heart disease early in arthritis patients

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other chronic forms of inflammatory arthritis can face life-threatening complications, and heart disease tops the list. People with such rheumatic diseases are twice as likely as the average person to develop heart problems.

15 Nov 2013

Nontoxic therapy shows encouraging results in blood samples from lupus patients

Northwestern Medicine- scientists have successfully tested a nontoxic therapy that suppresses Lupus in blood samples of people with the autoimmune disease.

12 Nov 2013

Metabolic syndrome components signal resistant hypertension

Chinese patients with hypertension that is difficult to treat often have poor cardiometabolic profiles, shows an analysis of the HOT-CHINA study.

11 Nov 2013

Researchers link species of intestinal bacteria to onset of rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers have linked a species of intestinal bacteria known as Prevotella copri to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, the first demonstration in humans that the chronic inflammatory joint disease may be mediated in part by specific intestinal bacteria.

6 Nov 2013

HSS study shows exercise program helps reduce arthritis pain for Asian seniors

Experts say it's never too late to reap the benefits of exercise, and a program offered in New York City senior centers is improving quality of life for many older adults.

5 Nov 2013

Ambulatory BP best for assessing diabetes CV risk

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be used to monitor patients with Type 2 diabetes who have a high risk for developing cardiovascular complications, say researchers.

5 Nov 2013

Disruption of brain signals contributes to increased pain sensitivity in fibromyalgia patients

New research indicates that a disruption of brain signals for reward and punishment contributes to increased pain sensitivity, known as hyperalgesia, in fibromyalgia patients. Results published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology, suggest that this altered brain processing might contribute to widespread pain and lack of response to opioid therapy in patients with fibromyalgia.

5 Nov 2013

Scientists unravel the major cause of protein citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis

Experiments by scientists at Johns Hopkins and in Boston have unraveled two biological mechanisms as the major cause of protein citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis. Protein citrullination is suspected of sparking the immune system and driving the cascade of events leading to the disease.

31 Oct 2013

Bending ethical norms to serve patients' interests

A survey among rheumatologists finds many face moral dilemmas when trying to do what's best for their patients in the current health care environment.

29 Oct 2013