Rheumatoid Arthritis News

Higher rheumatoid arthritis disease activity at the time of total hip or knee arthroplasty is associated with an increased risk for worse pain and function 1 year following the operation, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Among systemic rheumatic diseases, the risk for opportunistic infection is highest among patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis, followed by systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren’s syndrome, according to data published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Rheumatology patients treated with interleukin inhibitors have an increased risk for serious infections, opportunistic infections and cancer, according to data published in JAMA Open Network.

Perceived stress is significantly associated with developing inflammatory arthritis among those who are at risk, according to findings published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Approximately one-third to two-thirds of patients with rheumatoid arthritis fail to alter their treatment even when experiencing moderate to high disease activity, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

The majority of physical therapists can accurately distinguish between inflammatory and noninflammatory arthritis and understand the importance of correct and prompt referrals to a rheumatologist for suspected inflammatory conditions, according to survey results published in Arthritis Care & Research.

The word “vagus” comes from the Latin “to wander.” Accordingly, the vagus nerve takes a meandering path through the body, impacting everything from digestion to immunity. As understanding of this pathway grew, clinicians and researchers saw it as a potential therapeutic target. The mental health community capitalized first, using vagus nerve stimulation as a staple of epilepsy and depression treatment for decades.

Learning Objective:

SAN DIEGO — Early recognition and targeted, aggressive treatment have led to improved outcomes and fewer hospitalizations in rheumatoid arthritis, according to a presentation at the 2019 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology West.

Inflammatory arthritis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy can develop into a long-term condition even after treatment cessation, requiring immunomodulatory intervention, according to findings published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.