Search results for: chronic pain

Surgery Won’t Help Degenerative Knee Problems

Marilynn Larkin | May 15, 2017

(Reuters Health)—Arthroscopic surgery won’t cure chronic knee pain, locking, clicking, a torn meniscus or other problems related to knee arthritis, according to a panel of international experts. Every year, more than two million people with degenerative knee problems have arthroscopic surgery. But guidelines published May 10 in the British Medical Journal recommend against the procedure…

Pregabalin Is Ineffective for Sciatica

Lara C. Pullen, PhD | May 8, 2017

A recent small-scale study examined the efficacy of pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain caused by sciatica, as well as its associated low back pain. Researchers found the treatment did not reduce leg pain better than placebo and resulted in more adverse events…

FDA to Review Immediate-Release Oxycodone; Plus NICE Recommends Secukinumab

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | May 1, 2017

A new formulation of oxycodone in 10 and 15 mg doses is being reviewed by the FDA for treating pain…

Rheumatology Case Report: Bullous Lesions in Patient with Lupus

Mitali Sen, MD, Corrado Minimo, MD, & Ruchika Patel, MD | April 20, 2017

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease associated with multiple acute or chronic cutaneous manifestations, including the relatively rare category of bullous lupus. The development of vesiculo-bullous lesions may be associated with a high morbidity, hence they warrant an urgent investigation, including a skin biopsy to identify the diagnosis and initiate prompt treatment. With…

Brodalumab Approved for Plaque Psoriasis, Plus Baricitinib Effiicacy Studied for RA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | April 20, 2017

Brodalumab Approved for Plaque Psoriasis The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved brodalumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin 17 (IL‑17).1,2 Brodalumab (Siliq) was approved for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy and have failed to respond to, or have lost response to, other…

Fellows Forum Case Report: Neuromyelitis Optica

Atul Kapila, MD, Tayseer Haroun, MBBS, & Jayanth Doss, MD | April 19, 2017

Case Presentation The patient was a 42-year-old African American female diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on the findings of polyarthritis, malar and discoid rash, fatigue, positive double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) ribonucleoprotein and Smith antibodies, and low serum complement levels. Her SLE had been well controlled on hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily, oral methotrexate 25 mg…

Diagnosis of Acute Gouty Arthritis Obscured by Anchoring Bias

Sneha Patel, MD, Monica Mohile, MD, & Arundathi Jayatilleke, MD | April 19, 2017

A 56-year-old African American man presents to the emergency department with polyarthralgias and a fever of 103ºF. One month prior to admission, he presented with right knee pain and swelling. Blood cultures grew S. epidermidis. He was treated for presumed septic arthritis complicated by MSSE bacteremia. He was treated with meropenem and a prolonged course…

Insufficient Evidence Regarding Osteoporosis Medications in Kidney Patients

Will Boggs, MD | April 11, 2017

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—There are insufficient data to make evidence-based decisions regarding the benefits and harms of osteoporosis medications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. “We found low to moderate evidence for the effects of some but not all of the medications, and the evidence was limited…

S.C. Rheumatism Society Benefits from ACR Partnership

Gretchen Henkel | April 6, 2017

Editor’s note: This article will be the first in a series of articles highlighting the advocacy work done by state and local societies around the country. The South Carolina Rheumatism Society (SCRS) realizes multiple benefits from its association with the ACR, according to Jeffrey G. Lawson, MD, the society’s treasurer. One example of the support offered:…

Research Offers Insight into Diagnosis, Treatment of Small-Vessel Vasculitis

Susan Bernstein | March 20, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Experts speaking at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting session, Update on Small-Vessel Vasculitis, offered insight into the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the inflammation of blood vessels. “Vasculitis is an immune-mediated process. White blood cells invade the vessel wall, causing inflammation throughout the vessel wall,” said Jason M. Springer,…