Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders News

According to findings by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland and published in Scientific Reports, a novel cartilage degeneration algorithm may predict the progression of osteoarthritis in patients.

In patents with knee osteoarthritis, systemic biochemical markers involved in bone turnover appear to be weak predictors of individual bone features, according to recently published findings.

A personalized risk calculator for knee osteoarthritis in young adults appears to be a successful tool to promote education and may serve as a catalyst for exercise-related lifestyle changes, according to recent findings. In the randomized controlled trial, researchers tested the effectiveness of an online risk calculator developed for knee osteoarthritis (OA). They evaluated 375 participants (mean age, 32 years) recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk, and tested the ability of the calculator to educate participants regarding their individual risk of knee OA.

Among patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, racial disparities persist in the rates of total knee arthroplasty, according to recent findings.

ORLANDO, Fla. — At the Rheumatology Nurses Society Annual Conference, Vickie L. Sayles, BSN, CRNI, RN-BC, spoke about patient reactions to rituximab. She said reactions do not happen often. However, when these occur during the first infusion, reactions can be managed with diphenhydramine or corticosteroids. After the first infusion, reactions can still occur but are rare, she said.

Patients with secondary osteoporosis are 10 times more likely to have primary aldosteronism than patients without osteoporosis, according to findings from an Italian study.

Researchers of this recently published analysis found “no good evidence” to support the use of glucosamine for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, occurs when the cartilage that covers the end of joints breaks down. This loss of cartilage results in pain, swelling and trouble moving affected joints.

ORLANDO, Fla. — At the Rheumatology Nurses Society Annual Conference, Gwen Ellert, MEd, BScN, RN, discussed osteoporosis as a silent disease. She said osteoporosis is still under-recognized and under-treated and is not a natural part of aging. She detailed use of the F3D3, a 1-minute initial assessment tool for rheumatology health care providers to use in determining whether further evaluation is needed.

In determining treatment for patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, clinicians and patients should collaborate on decision-making based on patient values, preferences and comorbidities, according to recent guidelines published by the American College of Rheumatology.