StemCell Therapy

Walk into any gym, step onto any basketball or tennis court, or even take a look at the person jogging or walking down your street, and youll likely to see an assortment of braces or support aids on older (and younger) individuals.

One of the most common areas youll see this equipment is on the knee.

Knee pain is one of the most common conditions I see as a physical therapist. Often I see people after knee replacement. However, I also see people with knee pain due to osteoarthritis before surgery.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition and is one of the five most disabling conditions in the U.S., affecting more than a third of people over 65 years of age. Sometimes, knee pain due to arthritis will lead to the use an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, and eventually knee replacement surgery.

Chronic knee pain due to arthritis is characterized by pain, cartilage degeneration and joint space narrowing. When patients are referred to physical therapy for arthritis relief, they often dont understand how physical therapy can help. After all, if there is cartilage degeneration and joint space narrowing, wouldnt more movement just make the arthritis worse?

Fortunately, as Ive discussed at length before, the body is much more complex than that. In fact, the 2008 guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend exercise as the core treatment for osteoarthritis.

As the saying goes in physical therapy, "Movement is medicine."

The right type of exercise in the appropriate dosage and intensity can help "lubricate" the joint, improve muscle strength, improve joint motion and decrease joint pain. Osteoarthritis is associated with decreased muscle strength and abnormal joint mechanics.

A 2012 review in the journal Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation reviewed resistance training interventions on knee osteoarthritis and found some studies showing up to a 43 percent reduction in pain with appropriate resistance training.

Physical therapy, and specifically resistance training, works to improve joint mechanics and muscle activation patterns. In the physical therapy clinic, the typical culprits for weakness I see are the muscles of the thigh and the hips. So my treatment usually starts with exercises targeting the thigh muscles, both quads and hamstrings, as well as the muscles that move your leg back (hip extension) and to the side (hip abduction). The hip muscles actually help control the position of the knee during functional activities, so making sure your hips are strong is a good way to help improve knee mechanics.

I also will include some calf (lower leg) strengthening as well.

Next, it's important to help make sure that certain movements, such as squatting and going up and down steps, are performed with good mechanics. This usually means ensuring that when looking at the knee from the front that it stays in line with the second toe when climbing the stairs.

When bending down to sit in a chair or pick something up off the ground, it means that the knees stay outward to remain in line with the toes.

A good test to perform at home to check your mechanics is to stand sideways beside a step and perform a lateral step-up. Keeping the knee in line with toes is often difficult for most people. Often, when people have pain with stairs, fixing the mechanics helps their pain relatively quickly.

Lastly, I like to combine knee/hip strengthening and functional tasks focused on mechanics with a biking activity. It seems the continual motion of the bike helps to lubricate the joint and just helps things move a little better. If you have knee pain due to osteoarthritis, I recommend you get a bike, either recumbent or upright, and ride for 10 to 20 minutes a day to keep the knee joint loose and well-lubricated.

With the right exercises, individuals with mild to moderate osteoarthritis can experience symptom relief, decreased disability, improved function and overall improved health.

These recommendations also apply even if you dont have knee osteoarthritis. As we age, the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis increases, so its likely a good idea to perform biking, leg strengthening and biomechanics training as part of a comprehensive exercise routine.

Show caution when starting new exercises, and if you have any doubt about your mechanics, see your physical therapist for instruction. Dont push through pain with exercises. Start off slow, and progress in weight, reps and biking distance as you are able.

Nick McClary earned his doctor of physical therapy from the University of Tennessee. He is a Georgetown County native and lives and works in Pawleys Island. Send him your health and fitness questions at: nmcclaryDPT@gmail.com.

Originally posted here:
Nick McClary column: With arthritis, movement is good medicine - South Strand news

Soccer standout Benny Waida isnt allowing juvenile arthritis kick him around.

In fact, the 14-year-old athlete from Mentor who previously traveled around the country playing his favorite sport is facing the challenge head on.

He recently was chosen as the youth honoree at the Arthritis Foundations 2017 Walk to Cure Arthritis at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and thus far Benny, along with his teammates Waidas Wolf Warriors, have raised approximately $14,000 for the cause.

While at the May 13 event he bravely coped with the pain and swelling affecting his joints and managed to walk about a mile before needing to finish the remainder of the 5K distance in a wheelchair.

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Wheelchairs were the last thing on the active boys mind a few years ago prior to his diagnosis of enthesitis , a form of arthritis affecting the points connecting tendons and ligaments to bones.

At a young age his soccer skills had led him to several tournaments and championships. Shannon Waida, Bennys mother, had even heard buzz about potential scholarships.

But one day in the spring of 2014 after playing three full games his right heel began to hurt causing his leg to drag. At first the pain was chalked up to overuse. When it wouldnt stop Shannon took him to several doctors who diagnosed it as Severs disease, a common heel injury occurring in children. After treatment proved ineffective, additional testing revealed severe arthritis.

Over the next months the pain became progressively worse, spreading to the left foot as well as his ankles, knees and legs. Swelling prevented him from wearing shoes and use of a wheelchair became a common occurrence.

Shannon noted that staff members at Mentor Shore Middle School where Benny attends have been remarkable in their efforts to educate students about the disease and the challenges Benny faces.

In a matter of 15 minutes I can go from walking around to needing a wheelchair and thats what people dont understand, Benny said.

Others becoming aware of the diseases effects has helped him.

However, arthritis isnt the only illness with which Benny must cope. In 2015 he was diagnosed with Crohns, an inflammatory bowel disease. And recently an esophageal condition causing severe vomiting has surfaced.

Regardless of the trials the teen now faces, including a vast void that not playing soccer has created, he manages to keep an upbeat attitude and continues to raise awareness of arthritis.

Last year he attended a Juvenile Arthritis Conference where he mentored younger children learning how to deal with the disease. He has also created videos on YouTube, some of which have been used to spread awareness by the Arthritis Foundation.

Everything happens for a reason, Benny said. The fact that Im meeting new people, going to Juvenile Arthritis conferences, those kinds of experiences Im having a lot ofI think its going to be a good thing for as much as its bad. If I get through this Ill look back at it and Ill still be fundraising for arthritis.

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the U.S., affecting more than 50 million people. The Arthritis Foundation is committed to finding a cure for the millions of people who suffer from arthritis pain, including 300,000 children and their families.

For more information, visit http://www.arthritis.org.

More:
Mentor teen serves as youth honoree for Arthritis Foundation's 2017 Walk to Cure Arthritis - News-Herald.com

1 in 3 Adults in Rural Areas Have Arthritis SurfKY News (registration) (blog) arthritis pain FRANKFORT, Ky. (5/31/17) As part of its 52 Weeks of Public Health campaign, the Kentucky Department of Public Health within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is emphasizing the negative impact of arthritis on people that live ... CDC: Prevalence of Arthritis 31.8% in Most Rural Areas of USDoctors Lounge 11 foods that help your jointsMen's Fitness all 3 news articles »

Link:
1 in 3 Adults in Rural Areas Have Arthritis - SurfKY News (registration) (blog)

STOCKBRIDGE Success is sweet just ask the physicians and staff at OrthoAtlanta in Stockbridge who recently broke their own company fundraising record with contributions to the annual Arthritis Foundation of Georgia Walk to Cure Arthritis. Their efforts raised awareness and funds for arthritis, the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States. Add in a few pies, and success was even sweeter.

The annual Atlanta Walk to Cure Arthritis is a top charitable event for OrthoAtlanta, the second largest orthopedic and sports medicine practice in Atlanta. With 13 offices across the metropolitan area, including Stockbridge, Newnan, Fayetteville, and new Peachtree City, each OrthoAtlanta office raises funds at the local level, combined into a group donation to the Arthritis Foundation of Georgia.

In spirited competition extending into the community including Clayton State University Athletics, the OrthoAtlanta Stockbridge office donated nearly $6,000 to the 2017 Atlanta Walk to Cure Arthritis, achieving bragging rights as the second-highest fundraiser for the entire Atlanta metropolitan area. Company-wide, the combined OrthoAtlanta donation of nearly $15,700 more than doubled its 2016 contribution and secured OrthoAtlanta recognition as the third-highest group donation and top company donation for the 2017 Walk, the signature event of the Arthritis Foundation.

The most popular fundraising effort initiated by the Stockbridge team, an infamous Pie in the Face promotion, clearly caught the attention of the community. Participants included Todd A. Schmidt, MD, known in the Stockbridge area for his sports medicine, joint preservation and reconstruction skills, and Timothy Ghattas, MD, orthopedic surgeon at OrthoAtlanta Stockbridge. Ghattas also serves as the team physician for Clayton State University Athletics, prompting four members of Clayton State Athletics, including Director of Athletics Tim Duncan, and the university president, Dr. Thomas Tim Hynes Jr., to also take part in the pie-in-the-face fundraiser

Asked about facing a pie in the face, Schmidt explained it simply. OrthoAtlanta physicians and staff treat thousands of patients each year who are suffering from some form of painful arthritis. Treatments range from non-surgical to surgical, including joint repair and joint replacement, known as arthroplasty. We are pleased that this years pie event brought awareness of this dreaded disease and to the excellent work done by the Arthritis Foundation as they seek to conquer arthritis with research, training, advocacy and more.

The 2017 Atlanta Walk to Cure Arthritis raised $300,000 from teams across the metropolitan area.

Read more:
Pie-in-the-Face promotion raises funds for Arthritis Foundation - News-Daily.com

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The condition is three more times as common in men than women and symptoms tend to develop gradually, sometimes over many years.

Ankylosing spondylitis causes back pain, stiffness, fatigue and impaired mobility that develops over time.

There is no cure for AS at the moment, however experts have announced a new breakthrough which could help sufferers.

New research has revealed an insight into the genetic causes of ankylosing spondylitis that could aid the future treatment of the disease.

GETTY

A study by the University of Oxford has found that the specific genetic variants associated with the onset of the condition may be more common than previously thought.

Data on 213 ankylosing spondylitis patients and 46 people with rheumatoid arthritis was analysed in order to examine the common scientific assumption that ankylosing spondylitis is mostly associated with unusual genotypes called ERAP1.

Two genes involved in antigen processing and presentation to the immune system - HLA-B27 and ERAP1 - have a big role to play in driving the disease.

Previously studies have indicated that rare ERAP1 variants are responsible for the condition.

Getty

1 of 12

Ankylosing spondylitis is known to have a significant genetic link

However experts found that it was in fact common variants of ERAP1 that were responsible for regulating people's ankylosing spondylitis, rather than rare variations or unusual genetic combinations.

The causes of the disease are not currently well understood, so further research into its genetic origins could make it easier for scientists to create new and more effective therapies.

The researchers said the findings have potential implications for future studies addressing the development of ERAP1 inhibitors as new treatments, 'not only for ankylosing spondylitis but also in other diseases genetically associated with ERAP1'.

Dr Katherine Free, research engagement manager at Arthritis Research UK, said: "Ankylosing spondylitis is known to have a significant genetic link, and studies to date have identified over 40 genetic changes that are thought to contribute to an individual's risk of developing this disease.

GETTY

"Previous research has shown that alterations within two particular genes, known as HLA-B27 and ERAP1, have a particularly strong link to ankylosing spondylitis.

This research sheds new light on the particular genetic changes within ERAP1 that are responsible for disease development.

Identifying the effect that these genetic changes have on the immune system could pave the way for the development of new and more effective treatments for this condition."

The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Does arthritis really get worse in winter?

Read the rest here:
Arthritis symptoms - CURE on the horizon for this painful condition - Express.co.uk

Battling severe rheumatoid arthritis, a condition usually associated with the elderly, Ved Ahinave, a 17-year-old from Mumbai, scored 61.23% in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams.

The results were declared at 1pm.

Ved wrote his exams without a writer, despite swelling and pain in his joints. He scored 66 marks in English and 77 marks in information technology.

My hands and legs started to hurt because of the strain, but I took frequent breaks and completed the paper, said the student of Swami Vivekananda International School and Junior College, Kandivli. I am happy with my score, I I want to work in the IT sector, just like my parents. I love computers, said Ved.

The 17-year-olds is a rare case.

Ved was diagnosed with arthritis when he was six. The disease is common among people in their late 40s and 50s. It causes the bodys immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and thickening of tissues. His condition worsened when he was in Class 10.

Constant consumption of medicines mostly steroids and painkillers however stunted his growth, said his mother, Seema. He is 17, but is three feet and five inches tall, Seema said, adding they dont know what caused the disease.

Doctors tell me it could be because of low haemoglobin levels during my pregnancy. Some say it is genetic, said the mother.

Ved couldnt get a writer as the board refused to acknowledge his illness. We submitted medical certificates, including one from Sir JJ Hospital. But the board doesnt have provisions for arthritis, said his father Vishwas, 46, an electronics engineer. He used to succumb to bouts of depression, but my friend kept him motivated. His teachers, especially Miss Leena, helped him a lot.

There is no permanent cure for Veds disease. He is learning to live with it. He spends his time configuring phones. We think it can be a good profession if he gets to work from home, his mother said.

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Maharashtra HSC results today: Mumbai teen fights rheumatoid ... - Hindustan Times

May 30, 2017 05:15 ET | Source: Research and Markets

Dublin, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Biosimilars Market Access in Psoriatic Arthritis" report to their offering.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade have long held dominant positions in the psoriatic arthritis market. These market leaders, however, face patent expirations and consequent biosimilar launches.

Payers are eager to leverage these changes in the competitive landscape and enact pro-biosimilar access measures, resulting in downward pricing pressures and/or continuing market erosion for first-generation TNF-alpha inhibitors.

The rate of this erosion is likely to be gradual initially, as both physicians and payers are not likely to advocate patient switching.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Five Major EU Markets

3. Methodology

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bczl5n/biosimilars

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Global Psoriatic Arthritis Biosimilars Market Access Report 2017 - GlobeNewswire (press release)

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A saucepan to help elderly people with arthritis keep their independence has been designed by a Nottingham student and the inspiration behind the idea was her grandparents.

Emma Bucknell, a product design student at Nottingham Trent University, designed the saucepan to make cooking more comfortable for people who have arthritis in their fingers, hands and wrists.

It has been made with a plastic handle on one side so you can slide your hand through it, meaning the saucepan can be lifted using the strength in the arm rather than in the hand.

Originally from Hertfordshire, Emma said she came up with the idea for her product after seeing her own grandparents struggle with debilitating disease.

The 21-year-old said: "I know from my grandparents that arthritis is a painful and uncomfortable condition. My nan struggles with lifting saucepans so I took the opportunity to find a solution to help them."

The design of the handle aims to reduce the weight and pressure that is put on people's fingers and hands when they lift the heavy pans, which traditionally have straight handles.

During her research into arthritis Emma said she discovered that long thin handles can be a problem for people who have the condition or a weak grip, because the hand has to form an unnatural position while holding on to them.

The newly-designed pan is made out of aluminium so it is light to hold and the handle is designed to fit a wide range of different sized hands for comfortable use.

On the other side is a spherical handle which people can hold, to evenly distribute the weight of the saucepan when using both hands.

Emma added: "I can see that arthritis does not just affect a person with its painful symptoms, it affects their whole life. What many people would see as a simple task, can become difficult and sometimes impossible for those with the condition.

"This can destroy independence; the one thing elderly and retired people desire to keep."

According to Arthritis Care around 10 million people suffer from arthritis in the UK.

James Dale, principal lecturer in product design at Nottingham Trent University, said: "Emma has seen first-hand how difficult it can be for people with arthritis to carry out tasks such as cooking and she has used this experience to create a product that could improve people's confidence and independence.

"The saucepan has the potential to go beyond the elderly market and reach others who have the same condition"

Emma's saucepan is set to go on show at the university's Degree Show from June 3 to June 10 at the City Campus.

Here is the original post:
Nottingham student designs saucepan to help elderly people with arthritis stay independent - Nottingham Post

Older people who eat the most fiber are at lower risk of developing knee pain and stiffness due to osteoarthritis (OA), new research shows.

Diets rich in fiber from plant-based foods have clear health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, better-controlled blood sugar, and a healthier weight, but most people in the U.S. don't eat enough fiber, lead author Dr. Zhaoli Dai of Tufts University in Boston told Reuters Health.

The current average fiber intake among U.S. adults is about 15 grams, she noted. "This is far below the recommended level, which is 22.4 grams for women and 28 grams per day for men 51 years and above," Dai said.

SEVERAL NON-DRUG OPTIONS HELP WITH FATIGUE DURING, AFTER CANCER TREATMENT

OA, which occurs when wear and tear on the joints degrades cartilage and leads to bone abnormalities, is extremely common in people 60 and older. It can be painful, and is also a leading cause of disability. There is no treatment for OA, aside from joint replacement, and therapies to address symptoms, such as anti-inflammatories for pain and swelling.

Given that dietary fiber is known to help prevent obesity and reduce inflammation, both of which are associated with arthritis, Dai's team looked at diet and arthritis risk over time in two study groups. In the Osteoarthritis Initiative, which included 4,796 men and women with OA or at risk for OA, people who consumed the most dietary fiber at the start of the study were 30 percent less likely than those who ate the least fiber to develop knee pain, stiffness or swelling due to OA, or to worsening of OA, during four years of follow-up.

In the Framingham Offspring Study, which included 1,268 adults in their early 50s, on average, the top quarter of fiber consumers had a 61 percent lower risk of knee OA symptoms nine years later than the bottom quarter.

SOUTH DAKOTA TEEN WITH BRAIN CANCER GIVEN OK TO WALK AT GRADUATION

There are many mechanisms through which increased fiber intake could help ease knee arthritis symptoms, Dai said, for example by reducing inflammation and helping people to maintain a healthy weight. Fiber can also act as a pre-biotic, she added, meaning that it can help fuel the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut, which in turn also reduces inflammation.

"This is the first study to show that consuming more dietary fiber is related to lower risk of painful knee osteoarthritis," Dai said. "Changing diets by increasing intake of dietary fiber seems to be one of the most economic ways to reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis."

Older adults, especially those who are overweight or obese, should consider increasing their fiber intake, she added.

The rest is here:
Older adults might be able to stave off arthritis knee pain with fiber ... - Fox News

By Randy Dotinga

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A new drug might help ease the pain and disability of a form of arthritis often linked to psoriasis.

According to Stanford University researchers, psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disorder tied to an out-of-control immune response. The disease affects about one in every 200 people and is often accompanied by the autoimmune skin disorder psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis typically arises after the age of 30 and can bring stiffness, pain and swelling of the joints, leading to real disability if treatments don't help.

The new study focused on more than 300 adult patients across 10 countries. These patients were no longer seeing an effect from standard biologic drugs or had never experienced a benefit in the first place.

That's not uncommon.

"Only about half of psoriatic arthritis patients who are given TNF inhibitors get better," study lead author Dr. Mark Genovese said in a Stanford news release.

So, his team tried out a newer drug called Taltz (ixekizumab), already approved to fight psoriasis. The study was funded by the drug's maker, Eli Lilly & Co.

Patients were randomly assigned to receive injections of either Taltz or an inactive placebo. Over 6 months, about one-third got Taltz injections every two weeks, another third received the placebo every two weeks, while the remaining third received alternate injections of Taltz and the placebo.

More than half (53 percent) of those treated with the drug experienced at least a 20 percent reduction in the number of tender and swollen joints, compared to about 20 percent of those receiving the placebo, said Genovese. He's a professor of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford University Medical Center.

One expert in psoriatic arthritis was encouraged by the findings.

Taltz "is another new option for patients with psoriatic arthritis," said Dr. Waseem Mir, a rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "The data shown in this article supports that certain patients who do not do well with other biologics that are in the market for psoriatic arthritis will now have another option for treatment of their painful disease," he said.

One potential side effect of these immune-focused drugs is a heightened vulnerability to infectious disease. However, Genovese said there was little difference in this regard between people taking Taltz and those on a placebo.

The study was published online May 24 in The Lancet.

WebMD News from HealthDay

SOURCES: Waseem Mir, M.D., rheumatologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Stanford University School of Medicine, news release, May 24, 2017

Read more from the original source:
Promising Results for Drug for Psoriatic Arthritis - WebMD

With Arthritis Awareness Week kicking off on Sunday, Medibank Better Health Index have released new data which outlines the concerning rise of osteoarthritis, and links between the condition and obesity.

Over the last nine years, the number of Australians living with osteoarthritis has increased from 6.2 to 8.5 per cent, which is equal to more than half a million additional cases.

The findings show the incidence of the condition has grown in line with the national trend towards obesity -- with 28.4 per cent of Australians falling into the obese Body Mass Index (BMI) category, compared to just 25.2 per cent in 2007.

Its an alarming trend given the already astute issues surrounding obesity in the country, and how much it is costing our healthcare system.

Medibank Chief Medical Officer Dr Linda Swan said the data should come as a wake-up call to Aussies.

Its concerning to see that the incidence of osteoarthritis is continuing to climb year-on-year, with almost one in ten Aussies now living with the condition.

We know osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by being overweight or obese, so its essential that we continue to encourage healthy eating habits and regular exercise as these can help both prevent and improve osteoarthritis symptoms.

While generally any type of activity is good, people's health risks can vary, so consulting your GP about the type of exercise that's right for you is always a wise step, Dr Swan said.

In South Australia alone, there are 124,000 patients living with osteoarthritis, 33,000 more than in 2007.

These findings support the need for ongoing research into osteoarthritis -- which the Medibank Better Health Foundation is committed to. Through this research, we aim to help those affected by musculoskeletal conditions improve their quality of life, and better understand, prevent and manage the condition, Dr Swan said.

In releasing the data, Medibank also provided some tips for preventing and managing osteoarthritis.

Keep Moving, safely: Exercise is vital in both managing the condition, and preventing it, as regular exercise helps to strengthen muscles and joints. There is a warning, however, not to overdo it. Too much exercise can cause injury and put an unnecessary stain on joints.

Follow a healthy diet: With obesity one of the leading causes of osteoarthritis, its extremely important to maintain a healthy, well0-balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight.

Opt for supportive footwear: Medibank writes thats having the right show means having the required support to carry your body. They recommend speaking to a podiatrist about choosing the appropriate footwear.

Continue reading here:
Link between obesity and arthritis - Ten Eyewitness News

FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A new drug might help ease the pain and disability of a form of arthritis often linked to psoriasis.

According to Stanford University researchers, psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disorder tied to an out-of-control immune response. The disease affects about one in every 200 people and is often accompanied by the autoimmune skin disorder psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis typically arises after the age of 30 and can bring stiffness, pain and swelling of the joints, leading to real disability if treatments don't help.

The new study focused on more than 300 adult patients across 10 countries. These patients were no longer seeing an effect from standard biologic drugs or had never experienced a benefit in the first place.

"Only about half of psoriatic arthritis patients who are given TNF inhibitors get better," study lead author Dr. Mark Genovese said in a Stanford news release.

So, his team tried out a newer drug called Taltz (ixekizumab), already approved to fight psoriasis. The study was funded by the drug's maker, Eli Lilly & Co.

Patients were randomly assigned to receive injections of either Taltz or an inactive placebo. Over 6 months, about one-third got Taltz injections every two weeks, another third received the placebo every two weeks, while the remaining third received alternate injections of Taltz and the placebo.

More than half (53 percent) of those treated with the drug experienced at least a 20 percent reduction in the number of tender and swollen joints, compared to about 20 percent of those receiving the placebo, said Genovese. He's a professor of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford University Medical Center.

One expert in psoriatic arthritis was encouraged by the findings.

Taltz "is another new option for patients with psoriatic arthritis," said Dr. Waseem Mir, a rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "The data shown in this article supports that certain patients who do not do well with other biologics that are in the market for psoriatic arthritis will now have another option for treatment of their painful disease," he said.

One potential side effect of these immune-focused drugs is a heightened vulnerability to infectious disease. However, Genovese said there was little difference in this regard between people taking Taltz and those on a placebo.

The study was published online May 24 in The Lancet.

Here is the original post:
Promising Results for Drug to Fight Arthritis Linked to Psoriasis ... - Arizona Daily Star

Welcome to the UPC Show with Curtis Haring, Alex Cragun, and Dylan McDonnell. On the show today we talk about the growing fight between the legislature and the governor around a special session to potentially replace Jason Chaffetz, Speaker of

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Welcome to the UPC Show with Curtis Haring and Alex Cragun. On the show today we talkabout Jason Chaffetzs surprise announcement, the rest of the Utah delegation is having poll trouble, Trumps budget has a real impact on Utah, and

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Welcome to the UPC Show with Curtis Haring, Dylan McDonnell,and Alex Cragun. On the show today we talk about some proposed changes to an initiative to fund education, Chris Stewarthas a Democratic challenger, and Orrin Hatch might be on the

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Welcome to the UPC Show with Curtis Haring, Dylan McDonnell,and Alex Cragun. In the first half: UTAs woes and Rocky Mountain Power assumes that EPA regulations will be rolled back. In the second half: An audit shows that sex-offender treatment

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A general expressionof concern about the recent hospitalization of Senator Ralph Okerlund (RepublicanMonroe) was made at the Central Utah Leadership Summit, an annual gathering of elected officials and economic development experts in rural Utah. Public announcementsby both Byron Woodland, Board

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Welcome to the UPC Show with Curtis Haring, Dylan McDonnell,and Alex Cragun. In the first half: Orrin Hatch says he is willing to step asideif someone like Mitt Romney steps in and people booingRepresentative Stewart at a recent town hall

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Welcome to the UPC Show with Curtis Haring, Dylan McDonnell,and Alex Cragun. This week we round out the three part legislative extravaganza by talking about Business, specifically:HB 40 Check Cashing and Deferred Deposit Lending Amendments Brad Daw (Republican

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View other reviews in this series: Agriculture, Air Quality, and Alcohol Business, Campaign Finance, Crime and the Courts Drugs HB 50 Opioid Prescribing Regulations from Representative Ray Ward (Republican Bountiful) If you have been paying attention to public

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More here:
Arthritis medication naprelan - Naproxen for arthritis dosage - Naproxen or ibuprofen for rheumatoid arthritis - Utah Political Capitol

Older people who eat the most fiber are at lower risk of developing knee pain and stiffness due to osteoarthritis (OA), new research shows.

Diets rich in fiber from plant-based foods have clear health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, better-controlled blood sugar, and a healthier weight, but most people in the U.S. dont eat enough fiber, lead author Dr. Zhaoli Dai of Tufts University in Boston told Reuters Health.

The current average fiber intake among U.S. adults is about 15 grams, she noted. This is far below the recommended level, which is 22.4 grams for women and 28 grams per day for men 51 years and above, Dai said.

OA, which occurs when wear and tear on the joints degrades cartilage and leads to bone abnormalities, is extremely common in people 60 and older. It can be painful, and is also a leading cause of disability. There is no treatment for OA, aside from joint replacement, and therapies to address symptoms, such as anti-inflammatories for pain and swelling.

Given that dietary fiber is known to help prevent obesity and reduce inflammation, both of which are associated with arthritis, Dais team looked at diet and arthritis risk over time in two study groups. In the Osteoarthritis Initiative, which included 4,796 men and women with OA or at risk for OA, people who consumed the most dietary fiber at the start of the study were 30 percent less likely than those who ate the least fiber to develop knee pain, stiffness or swelling due to OA, or to worsening of OA, during four years of follow-up.

In the Framingham Offspring Study, which included 1,268 adults in their early 50s, on average, the top quarter of fiber consumers had a 61 percent lower risk of knee OA symptoms nine years later than the bottom quarter.

There are many mechanisms through which increased fiber intake could help ease knee arthritis symptoms, Dai said, for example by reducing inflammation and helping people to maintain a healthy weight. Fiber can also act as a pre-biotic, she added, meaning that it can help fuel the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut, which in turn also reduces inflammation.

This is the first study to show that consuming more dietary fiber is related to lower risk of painful knee osteoarthritis, Dai said. Changing diets by increasing intake of dietary fiber seems to be one of the most economic ways to reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Older adults, especially those who are overweight or obese, should consider increasing their fiber intake, she added.

SOURCE: bit.ly/2rVN8xU Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, May 4, 2017.

NEWTON, Mass. Former U.S. Army Specialist Tara Barney will never forget the 2013 night when a fellow soldier cried as he described holding a dying friend in his arms, a wartime memory he had not shared with anyone.

A moderate-intensity walking regimen may reduce symptoms of mild cognitive impairment that are linked to poor blood vessel health in the brain, a small study suggests.

LONDON The number of new drugs approved for sale in United States and Europe has bounced back this year, suggesting a marked slowdown in 2016 was an aberration rather than a sign of flagging research and development productivity.

Read the original here:
Older adults might be able to stave off arthritis knee pain with fiber - Reuters

SYDNEY: Vitamin D supplements, combined with good sleeping habits, could help manage pain-related conditions including fibromyalgia, arthritis, menstrual cramps and chronic back pain, says a study.

The findings, published in the Journal of Endocrinology, suggest that vitamin D supplements combined with good sleep quality could increase the effectiveness of pain management treatments.

Previously published studies have shown that vitamin D can affect the body's inflammatory response, which also alters pain sensation.

This simple approach, if effective, could reduce the burden on health services and improve the lives of patients, the researchers said.

"The research is very exciting and novel. We are unravelling the possible mechanisms of how vitamin D is involved in many complex processes, including what this review shows -- that a good night's sleep and normal levels of vitamin D could be an effective way to manage pain," said Sof Andrikopoulos, Assistant Professor at University of Melbourne in Australia.

For the study, the team conducted reviews of the most relevant studies that have examined the role of vitamin D in pain-related conditions or sleep disturbances.

The results indicate that vitamin D levels may have an important role in the relationship between pain and sleep.

"It is necessary to understand the possible mechanisms involved in this relationship, including immunological and neurobiological pathways related to inter-relationship among sleep, vitamin D and pain," added Monica Levy Andersen from Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo in Brazil.

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Arthritis: Suffering from arthritis? Vitamin D supplements may help - Economic Times

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Arthritis can affect multiple parts of the body, including the fingers, hands and wrists.

This can cause trouble holding items, meaning cooking can become a challenge.

However, a university student has created a saucepan that can help sufferers of the condition retain their independence.

Emma Bucknell, who is studying for a BA (Hons) in Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, has designed it to make cooking more comfortable.

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It has a plastic handle on one side so users can slide their hand through it, meaning the saucepan can be lifted using the strength in the arm as opposed to the hand.

It has a plastic handle on one side so users can slide their hand through it, meaning the saucepan can be lifted using the strength in the arm as opposed to the hand.

The design does away with a traditionally straight saucepan handle, and instead aims to reduce weight and pressure that is placed on peoples fingers and hands.

Bucknell said: I know from my grandparents that arthritis is a painful and uncomfortable condition. My nan struggles with lifting saucepans so I took the opportunity to find a solution to help them.

During research she discovered that long, thin handles can prove a problem for arthritic people, because the hand is forced to perform an unnatural grip while holding on to them.

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She added: I can see that arthritis does not just affect a person with its painful symptoms, it affects their whole life. What many people would see as a simple task, can become difficult and sometimes impossible for those with the condition.

This can destroy independence; the one thing elderly and retired people desire to keep.

The aluminium saucepan is light to hold, and its handle can fit a range of different hand sizes.

It will go on display at the universitys 2017 Degree Show from 3 to 10 June at the City Campus.

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James Dale, principal lecturer in Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, said: Emma has seen first-hand how difficult it can be for people with arthritis to carry out tasks such as cooking and she has used this experience to create a product that could improve peoples confidence and independence.

The saucepan has the potential to go beyond the elderly market and reach others who have the same condition.

According to Arthritis Care, approximately 10 million people suffer from arthritis in the UK.

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joints in the hands.

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Arthritis in your hands? This new invention could change your life - Express.co.uk

NDTV Food

Arthritis continues to be neglected in city: study The Hindu Obesity, hypertension, diabetes and thyroid conditions were identified as the risk factors for osteoarthritis among those in Delhi. The statistics show that more females are developing the disease, accounting for 55% of the patients. Incidentally, the ... Women At Higher Risk of Osteoarthritis Than Men, Says Arthritis Foundation of IndiaNDTV Food More and more younger people falling prey to arthritis in Delhi: StudyWeb India 123 Osteoarthritis is higher in women than men, says studyZee News all 4 news articles »

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Arthritis continues to be neglected in city: study - The Hindu

Vitamin D levels may have an important role in the relationship between pain and sleep

IANS | Sydney May 26, 2017 Last Updated at 04:40 IST

Vitamin D supplements, combined with good sleeping habits, could help manage pain-related conditions including fibromyalgia, arthritis, menstrual cramps and chronic back pain, says a study.

The findings, published in the Journal of Endocrinology, suggest that vitamin D supplements combined with good sleep quality could increase the effectiveness of pain management treatments.

Previously published studies have shown that vitamin D can affect the body's inflammatory response, which also alters pain sensation.

This simple approach, if effective, could reduce the burden on health services and improve the lives of patients, the researchers said.

"The research is very exciting and novel. We are unravelling the possible mechanisms of how vitamin D is involved in many complex processes, including what this review shows -- that a good night's sleep and normal levels of vitamin D could be an effective way to manage pain," said Sof Andrikopoulos, Assistant Professor at University of Melbourne in Australia.

For the study, the team conducted reviews of the most relevant studies that have examined the role of vitamin D in pain-related conditions or sleep disturbances.

The results indicate that vitamin D levels may have an important role in the relationship between pain and sleep.

"It is necessary to understand the possible mechanisms involved in this relationship, including immunological and neurobiological pathways related to inter-relationship among sleep, vitamin D and pain," added Monica Levy Andersen from Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Vitamin D supplements, combined with good sleeping habits, could help manage pain-related conditions including fibromyalgia, arthritis, menstrual cramps and chronic back pain, says a study.

The findings, published in the Journal of Endocrinology, suggest that vitamin D supplements combined with good sleep quality could increase the effectiveness of pain management treatments.

Previously published studies have shown that vitamin D can affect the body's inflammatory response, which also alters pain sensation.

This simple approach, if effective, could reduce the burden on health services and improve the lives of patients, the researchers said.

"The research is very exciting and novel. We are unravelling the possible mechanisms of how vitamin D is involved in many complex processes, including what this review shows -- that a good night's sleep and normal levels of vitamin D could be an effective way to manage pain," said Sof Andrikopoulos, Assistant Professor at University of Melbourne in Australia.

For the study, the team conducted reviews of the most relevant studies that have examined the role of vitamin D in pain-related conditions or sleep disturbances.

The results indicate that vitamin D levels may have an important role in the relationship between pain and sleep.

"It is necessary to understand the possible mechanisms involved in this relationship, including immunological and neurobiological pathways related to inter-relationship among sleep, vitamin D and pain," added Monica Levy Andersen from Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo in Brazil.

IANS

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Want to cure arthritis? Vitamin D supplements may help, suggests study - Business Standard

The two syndromes differ, though, in their constellation of symptoms. For example, psoriatic arthritis manifests most often in the lower extremities and is associated with the autoimmune skin condition called psoriasis, in which raised red, scaly patches appear on the skin. Although psoriatic rashes most often precede the onset of the arthritic stage, the reverse can also be the case.

Three of the 10 top-selling drugs in the United States in dollar sales adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab are biologics prescribed for psoriatic arthritis as well as for the more common rheumatoid arthritis. These three drugs share a common property: They block the action of a pro-inflammatory substance called tumor necrosis factor. Secreted by various immune cells, TNF stimulates the immune response and accompanying inflammation.

However, despite the availability of TNF inhibitors, only about half of psoriatic arthritis patients who are given TNF inhibitors get better, said Genovese.

Although the ultimate cause of the disease remains unknown, there was a good clinical rationale for hoping it might be responsive to ixekizumab. For the last decade or so, Genovese said, another pro-inflammatory substance called IL-17 has been drawing the attention of immunologists focusing on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Ixekizumab works by blocking IL-17. The drug, an injectable monoclonal antibody, is already commercially available for the treatment of psoriasis, for which it has been remarkably effective, said Genovese. And in an earlier Lilly-sponsored phase-3 trial, ixekizumab was shown to be effective for psoriatic arthritis patients who had not yet been treated with biological drugs such as TNF inhibitors. (Another approved monoclonal-antibody that targets IL-17, secukinumab, was approved in 2016 for psoriatic arthritis.)

Over the 24-week duration of the latest trial, 109 participants received ixekizumab every two weeks; 94 received placebo injections every two weeks; and 111 alternated every two weeks between getting injections of ixekizumab and the placebo. While 19.5 percent of patients who received only the placebo injections were judged to have met the trials specified clinical endpoint at least a 20 percent reduction in the number of tender and swollen joints the response rate among those getting the real drug every four weeks was 53.3 percent. Those getting the drug every two weeks didnt do any better and were slightly more prone to side effects, such as a mild reaction at the injection site.

Although any treatment that works by blocking the immune systems ability to mount an inflammatory response should be carefully monitored for its potential to render the body vulnerable to infectious disease, there were few observed differences in this category between recipients of placebo versus active drug given every four weeks, Genovese said.

Lilly has filed for approval of the drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Genovese has served as a consultant to Lilly.

Other co-authors of the study are affiliated with multiple institutions in diverse locations, including the University of Queensland, in Australia; Guys & Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, in London; St. Lukes International University, in Tokyo; Memorial University, in Newfoundland, Canada; Lapeyronie Hospital, in Montpelier, France; Charite University Medicine Berlin, in Germany; and Eli Lilly and Company, in Indianapolis.

Stanfords Department of Medicine also supported the work.

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Drug for refractory psoriatic arthritis shows promise in clinical trial ... - Stanford Medical Center Report

The US pharmaceuticals giant Merck & Co is accused of abusing its dominance of the market for an arthritis drug to block the NHS from using cheaper alternatives.

Competition authorities hit MSD, as Merck & Co is known outside the US, with formal charges that could lead to fines of tens of millions of pounds.

MSD allegedly attempted to prevent NHS doctors from using rival suppliers of a drug called infliximab, which it sells under the brand name Remicade, after its patent expired in 2015.

Infliximab is an antibody that suppresses part of the immune system and is used worldwide to treat a range of inflammatory conditions, including Crohns disease and psoriasis, as well as arthritis. About 100,000 NHS patients are treated with it at a cost of approximately 150m per year.

The drug is made by culturing genetically engineered cells. This complex process makes it difficult for MSDs new rivals to produce versions identical to Remicade.

Instead they produce so-called biosimilar treatments which are close facsimilies. Doctors have been cautious about switching to biosimilar infliximab, however, fearing theeffect on treatment of any tiny changes.

MSD allegedly exploited this caution by offering a discount on Remicade that would be withdrawn from buyers who tried alternatives. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had provisionally found that the discount scheme was a breach of competition law, likely to restrict competition from biosimilar versions of infliximab that were new to the market.

The watchdog issued a statement of objections to the company, a major step towards potentially heavy fines. The CMA has the power to issue fines of up to 10pc of global turnover, which for Merck & Cowould mean a maximum of more than 3bn. In practice, in similar cases the penalty has been in the tens of millions of pounds.

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US pharma giant Merck & Co. accused of blocking cheaper arthritis drugs for the NHS - Telegraph.co.uk