Arthritis News and Research

Latest Arthritis News and Research

Physicians should avoid prescribing Bextra altogether

Physicians should avoid prescribing Bextra altogether, or use it only as a drug of last resort, says a researcher from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues in an editorial published on-line Jan. 17 in Circulation, a publication of the American Heart Association.

19 Jan 2005

Animal study on vascular effects of COX-2 inhibition

In an article by Egan et al, titled, "Cyclooxygenases, Thromboxane, and Atherosclerosis," published in the Jan 17 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association researchers examined some of the molecular mechanisms of drugs affecting prostaglandin and thromboxane production.

17 Jan 2005

Further evidence for the role of cyclooxygenases (COX) in heart-disease risk

In two articles, published in Circulation, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine provide further evidence for the role of cyclooxygenases (COX) in heart-disease risk.

17 Jan 2005

Committees will weigh up COX-2 benefits and risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a joint public meeting of the agency's Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee to be held February 16, 17 and 18, 2005.

16 Jan 2005

Survey finds online health information poised to become important resource for seniors, but not there yet

As the Internet becomes an increasingly important resource for informing decisions about health and health care options, a new national survey of older Americans by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that less than a third (31%) of seniors (age 65 and older) have ever gone online, but that more than two-thirds (70%) of the next generation of seniors (50-64 year-olds) have done so.

12 Jan 2005

Government should plough drug savings into Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Doctors and medicine-makers today called for an expected $280 million Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) windfall to be ploughed into bringing down the price of new cancer and HIV drugs.

9 Jan 2005

Promising new evidence for the optimal use of biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis

A major cause of pain and disability, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is also potentially the most treatable form of chronic arthritis. Researchers, doctors, and patients agree that a group of drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can effectively reduce joint pain and stiffness.

7 Jan 2005

Strong association between high levels of hyaluronic acid and severe osteoarthritis

A chronic degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and disability among older Americans. OA of the knee affects up to 6 percent of the older population, while OA of the hip affects about another 3 percent. While treatments vary, there is hope that early intervention – before joint destruction can be clearly seen and measured on an X-ray image-will improve outcomes.

7 Jan 2005

Reduced progression of atherosclerosis tied to statin drugs lowering fats, protein

Aggressive therapy with statins -- drugs that inhibit cholesterol synthesis -- works better than moderate statin therapy in reducing fats and proteins in the blood that have been linked to atherosclerosis, a new multi-center study concludes. Statins’ effects on both complex compounds appear beneficial in cutting patients’ cardiovascular risks.

6 Jan 2005

Chronic users NSAIDs have greater risk of bleeding and visible damage to their small intestine

According to a study published today in the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, chronic users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have an increased risk of bleeding and visible damage to their small intestine.

4 Jan 2005

Signaling molecule involved in osteoarthritis identified

Using naturally-occurring mutant mice with a defective collagen gene, scientists at Harvard have identified a signaling molecule involved in one of the most common causes of disability among the elderly in the United States, osteoarthritis.

4 Jan 2005

Laser therapy may be considered by arthritis patients as a safe Vioxx alternative

Adverse events of long term medication with NSAIDs and particularly coxibs, has recently received much attention in the Vioxx matter. Consequently, Vioxx has been withdrawn and Prexige has been withheld from the market. The whole group of coxibs, are now under special observation by drug agencies in both Europe and the United States.

27 Dec 2004

Public health advisory for the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Public Health Advisory summarizing the agency's recent recommendations concerning the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug products (NSAIDs), including those known as COX-2 selective agents.

23 Dec 2004

Arthritis drug caution advised by New Zealand experts

An expert New Zealand committee reviewing the safety of a group of arthritis drugs called COX-2 inhibitors has reinforced UK advice cautioning against their routine use where safe and effective alternatives are available.

21 Dec 2004

No increased cardiovascular risk seen in elderly patients taking Celebrex

The National Institutes of Health has reported in an Alzheimer's Disease prevention study that there was no increased cardiovascular risk seen in elderly patients taking Celebrex (400 mg daily) for up to three years.

21 Dec 2004

Theory that could help to cure diseases including cancer

An Open University science student has astonished the world of medicine with a theory that could help to cure diseases including cancer.

21 Dec 2004

New advice on anti-inflammatory drugs called Cox-2 Inhibitors, including Celebrex

Patients who are taking Celebrex, Bextra and Arcoxia should make a non-urgent appointment with their GP to review their treatment. Patients who have established heart disease or who are at high risk of stroke will have their treatment changed.

21 Dec 2004

FDA issues advice on Naproxen

The FDA has released the following statement on NIH halting a clinical trial involving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease:

20 Dec 2004

5000 year old system of medicine provides pain relief for people with osteoarthritis of the knee

A 5000 year old system of medicine, acupuncture provides pain relief and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and serves as an effective complement to standard care.

20 Dec 2004

Cherries could help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes

Perhaps George Washington wouldn't have chopped down his father's cherry tree if he knew what chemists now know. They have identified a group of naturally occurring chemicals abundant in cherries that could help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

20 Dec 2004

Arthritis News and Research

Latest Arthritis News and Research

Physicians should avoid prescribing Bextra altogether

Animal study on vascular effects of COX-2 inhibition

Further evidence for the role of cyclooxygenases (COX) in heart-disease risk

Committees will weigh up COX-2 benefits and risks

Survey finds online health information poised to become important resource for seniors, but not there yet

Government should plough drug savings into Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Promising new evidence for the optimal use of biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis

Strong association between high levels of hyaluronic acid and severe osteoarthritis

Reduced progression of atherosclerosis tied to statin drugs lowering fats, protein

Chronic users NSAIDs have greater risk of bleeding and visible damage to their small intestine

Signaling molecule involved in osteoarthritis identified

Laser therapy may be considered by arthritis patients as a safe Vioxx alternative

Public health advisory for the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug products

Arthritis drug caution advised by New Zealand experts

No increased cardiovascular risk seen in elderly patients taking Celebrex

Theory that could help to cure diseases including cancer

New advice on anti-inflammatory drugs called Cox-2 Inhibitors, including Celebrex

FDA issues advice on Naproxen

5000 year old system of medicine provides pain relief for people with osteoarthritis of the knee

Cherries could help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Arthritis News and Research

Latest Arthritis News and Research

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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