Lifestyle medicine interventions, such as dietary changes, movement and mindfulness, in combination with conventional treatment, may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatic disease, according to panelists at ACR Convergence 2023.
RA Disease Activity & Alcohol Consumption Habits
Past studies have suggested that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who consume a moderate amount of alcohol may experience lower disease activity and higher quality of life than non-drinkers. In this study, Alfredsson, et al. confirmed earlier studies’ claims that alcohol consumption reduces disease activity in a dose-dependent manner, and also indicated that patients who stopped drinking post-baseline experienced worsened disease activity, more pain and a lower quality of life.
Self-Initiated Care May Reduce Workforce Gap
Seppen et al. developed a smartphone application for patients with RA to assess the safety and efficacy of patient-initiated care, compared with usual care. By answering a weekly Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) questionnaire, patients were able to monitor their own disease activity between clinic visits.
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Lower Women’s Risk of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Using data from cohorts with detailed lifestyle data and lengthy follow-up, Hahn et al. demonstrated that healthy lifestyle behaviors are associated with a lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), concluding that a substantial proportion of RA may be preventable.
Obesity, Drinking & Unhealthy Diet Add to Gout Risk
(Reuters Health)—Behavior changes could potentially reduce a large part of the risk for developing gout, a U.S. study suggests. Based on data from more than 14,000 people, researchers calculated how much factors like being overweight, following a diet that isn’t heart healthy, drinking alcohol or taking diuretics contribute to high levels of uric acid—a precursor…
3 Tips to Optimize Practice Performance
Rheumatologists can build resilience through recovery and reframing, transforming stress so that it enhances performance…
Help Your Patients Live Well with Rheumatic Disease
As rheumatology professionals, we focus on how to achieve better outcomes for our patients: lower disease activity, remission, milder symptoms and prevention of joint damage or serious complications, such as heart disease. Another outcome is just as important: good quality of life. What can we do to engage our current patients and those at risk…
Strategies for Striking Work–Life Balance
Making time to advance your career and enjoy family life is no easy task. One busy rheumatologist, educator and mom shares her strategies for success…
Researchers Seek to Predict & Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis
Preventing adverse outcomes in individuals who have rheumatic diseases is a daily goal for rheumatologists. For example, rheumatologists prescribe medications and perform screening to prevent erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), renal failure in systemic lupus erythematosus and flares across all diseases. Many of these actions are classified as secondary or tertiary prevention, because individuals have…
Service Dogs Aid RA Patients with Mobility, Chores, Companionship & More
Patients with severe RA can struggle with walking, getting dressed, carrying items and more, all of which can negatively affect their quality of life. But according to Bharat Kumar, MD, service dogs can help RA patients by providing both physical and emotional support, aiding patient mobility and quality of life…