Pediatric rheumatologic diseases are characterized by high rates of anxiety & depression known to impact health-related outcomes. CARRA and the ACR developed guidance statements to assess & manage mental health concerns for youths in pediatric rheumatology practice.
Regaining a sense of control, limiting responsibilities and engaging in mindfulness can help rheumatologists manage their mental health needs. Rheumatologists should also address the mental health concerns raised by their patients. Here are insights from a psychiatrist/rheumatologist.
Research suggests that patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a greater risk of depression, anxiety and, in some cases, substance abuse and dependence than the general population, yet symptoms often go unrecognized and untreated by medical professionals. Both psoriasis and PsA are associated with depression, with up to 30% of patients in either…
Because rheumatologists and mental health experts both treat patients with depression, anxiety, pain, disability and sleep disorders, provider cross-training may benefit patients and providers themselves. “When a patient has active psychosocial distress, this has a negative effect on their physical function. Similarly, if a patient has active physical symptoms, like a rheumatoid arthritis flare, this…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Effective pharmacotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not associated with meaningful improvements in mental health, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. “We were surprised by the small effect sizes for mental-health outcomes across all of the treatments included in this review, but particularly for the anti-TNF versus disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)…
Lyme disease is often considered a cause of chronic fatigue, pain and other incapacitating symptoms. This assumption stems from analyses of patients who seek retreatment for Lyme disease. However, a new study suggests that Lyme disease is not life altering in the long term for most patients. Specifically, patients with culture-confirmed Lyme disease have similar…
Supplemental vitamin D may not significantly lower the risk of fractures in generally healthy adults compared with placebo, according to a large study by LeBoff et al.
Maternal Health Insights in Patients with SLE The impact of pregnancy readiness on lupus activity, maternal mental health & pregnancy outcomes By Ceshae Harding, MD, & Megan Clowse, MD, MPH Why was this study done? Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are pregnant have increased risks of risks maternal and fetal mortality, preeclampsia and…
At first, there was an incomprehensibly loud explosion. And out of that explosion, about 4.5 billion years afterward, emerged the world’s first rheumatologist. Only a few notable things have happened between these two events, but the most important dynamic has been the continuous expansion of our universe. If the speculations of many cosmologists are correct,…
Rheumatic diseases are intrinsically linked to environmental conditions. With a constantly changing environment, how can rheumatologists adapt to the challenges of global climate change, pollution and other environmental threats? The Environment + Genetics Tamiko Katsumoto, MD, a clinical associate professor in the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., emphasizes the…