NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have alterations in their oral and gut microbiomes that partially normalize with treatment, according to results from a metagenome-wide association study. The microbiota influence metabolic and immune homeostasis, and microbial triggers have been postulated in RA, but little is known about the oral and gut microbiomes of…
Similar RA Outcomes with Abatacept & Tocilizumab
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Clinical outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are similar with abatacept and tocilizumab treatment, but the factors that predict efficacy differ for the two agents. “The recommendations for RA treatment from the U.S. and EU describe the use of abatacept and tocilizumab as first-line biologics along with anti-TNF (anti-tumor necrosis factor) inhibitors,” Dr….
Knee Replacement May ‘Turn Back the Clock’ for Arthritis Pain
(Reuters Health)—Knee replacement surgery may significantly ease pain and improve leg function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a new study suggests. While surgery doesn’t restore the same level of comfort and function patients had in their younger years, before they developed arthritis, the authors write in the journal…
Certolizumab Pegol Effective for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Certolizumab pegol, a humanized anti-TNF antibody fragment conjugated to polyethylene glycol, is effective for treating early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with poor prognostic factors, according to results from the C-OPERA study. Certolizumab is approved in the U.S. and other countries for treating inflammatory diseases, including RA, but its effectiveness in methotrexate-naïve early RA…
Tofacitinib Not Tied to More Malignancies in RA Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The oral Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Pfizer) does not increase the risk of malignancies, according to pooled data from more than 5000 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. In an April 22 online paper in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Dr. Lisy Wang of Pfizer, Groton, Connecticut, and colleagues noted that in RA…
Personal Beliefs Affect Medication Adherence for RA Patients
A recent British study concluded that determining a rheumatoid arthritis patient’s personal beliefs about medication could aid rheumatologists in regularly addressing medication adherence during visits.
Knee Surgery for Pain May Not Be Worthwhile
(Reuters Health)—Middle-aged and older adults with torn cartilage or painful arthritis in their knee are not likely to benefit from arthroscopic surgery, and could be harmed by it, a review of past studies hints. Researchers reviewed nine previous studies with a combined 1,270 patients and found the surgery no better than other options like exercise…
Biosimilar Drug Updates Reported from EULAR
At the 2015 meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism in June, multiple studies were presented comparing the use of different biosimilar and biologic drugs in treating rheumatoid arthritis…
E-Learning in Physiotherapy
A physiotherapy-specific, Web-based e-learning platform, “RAP-el,” was studied to determine its effectiveness in assisting physiotherapists with the best-practice management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was shown to improve self-reported confidence, likely practice behaviors and satisfaction in physiotherapists’ ability to manage people with RA, and improve their clinical knowledge in several areas…
Are Solar Flares an Overlooked Factor in Autoimmune Disease?
New research by physicists from Johns Hopkins University explores the correlation between the sun’s geomagnetic activity and the incidence of giant cell arteritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including geographic latitudes that put residents at highest risk.