Top in rheumatology: Diet and exercise for knee pain; bone-safe glucocorticoid dose
A speaker at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting reported data that showed diet and exercise instruction improved pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis who were overweight or obese.
The primary endpoint of the trial was the difference in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) knee pain score, which was measured 18 months after patients were randomly assigned to a diet and exercise intervention or a control group. Researchers found significantly lower WOMAC pain scores in patients who received the intervention compared with the control group — 4.9 vs. 5.5. It was the top story in rheumatology last week.
Another top story was based on a presentation about the risk for bone mineral density (BMD) loss with glucocorticoids in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. A speaker reported that a daily glucocorticoid dose higher than 2.5 mg may lead to irreversible BMD loss.
Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below:
Diet, exercise instruction improve knee osteoarthritis pain, function
Patients with knee osteoarthritis who are overweight or obese saw reduced knee pain following 18 months of diet and exercise instruction delivered in a community space, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2022. Read more.
Bone-safe glucocorticoid dose ‘hard to find’ in rheumatic, musculoskeletal diseases
A daily glucocorticoid dose higher than 2.5 mg may lead to irreversible BMD loss regardless of intervention with osteoporosis medications, data show. Read more.
Women with lupus demonstrate low HPV vaccination rates, high infection rates
Among women with systemic lupus erythematosus, researchers reported that just 3.7% are vaccinated for HPV, while nearly 30% demonstrate HPV infection. Read more.
PD-1 agonist generates ‘a bit of excitement’ in rheumatoid arthritis
A novel therapy targeting human programmed cell death protein-1 showed efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis with an attractive safety profile, according to a speaker. Read more.
A familiar fight against an unfamiliar foe: Rheumatologists brace for long COVID’s impact
In an interview with “60 Minutes” that aired on Sept. 18, President Joe Biden declared, “The pandemic is over.” And in some ways, he was correct. Read more.