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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Menopause Linked with Functional Decline in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scott Baltic  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—In women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), menopause is associated with both functional decline and an acceleration of that decline, according to a longitudinal study from the U.S. However, several factors involving increased hormonal exposure were associated with less-severe functional decline in women with RA: ever having received hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), ever…

Is It Cold in Here? Working in Cold Environments Linked to RA

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Novel research has linked cold environments—with snow, ice and overall frigid conditions—to an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. This research has many rheumatologists eager for more research that could aid patients and further the understanding of the disease…

More Physical Activity Counseling Urged

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New research from the CDC evaluated the prevalence of healthcare provider counseling for physical activity as a management strategy for arthritis. Researchers found that although healthcare provider counseling for exercise has increased during the past decade, 40% of patients with arthritis do not receive this counseling, resulting in a greater prevalence of physical inactivity for this patient population…

Rheumatologist Shortage Looms Amid Surging Patient Demand

Lisa Rapaport  |  

(Reuters Health)—A growing number of patients are seeking care from rheumatologists for chronic health problems like arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis, just as the supply of specialists is shrinking, two new studies suggest. An estimated 6,013 clinicians in the U.S. specialized in rheumatology as of 2015, the equivalent of 5,415 full-time providers, according to one…

Family Planning Counseling & the Rheumatologist

Arthritis Care & Research  |  

Women with rheumatic diseases have unique reproductive health needs, and family planning counseling is a critical component to their overall healthcare. A new research review examines the barriers to patients with rheumatic disease receiving family planning counseling. Additionally, reviewers provide rheumatologists with practical suggestions to optimize communication with patients, as well as address the effect of medications and the effectiveness of contraception…

Baseline Bone Measures Predict Risk of Fragility Fracture in Postmenopausal

Will Boggs, MD  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Baseline measures of bone density, microarchitecture and strength predict the risk of fragility fractures in postmenopausal women, according to results from the Calgary CaMOS cohort. Changes in bone health were not associated with fracture risk, however, said Dr. Lauren A. Burt from the University of Calgary, Canada, who worked on the study….

New Recommendations Guide Imaging in Large-Vessel Vasculitis

Reuters Staff  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with suspected large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) should undergo early imaging, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) advises in a new report presenting a dozen evidence-based recommendations for the use of imaging in primary LVV. Ultrasound should be the first choice for giant-cell arteritis (GCA), while MRI should take precedence for Takayasu arteritis…

Arthritis Crisis: It’s Time to Act

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Funding drives arthritis research breakthroughs and prevention programs, and advocates from the ACR, Arthritis Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) pitched funding increases to lawmakers at a lunchtime briefing held Feb. 1 in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Congressional Arthritis Caucus. During the briefing, titled $300 Billion Crisis: The High Cost…