StemCell Therapy

NEW DELHI: Arthritis is not an affliction that plagues you in old age, as a survey in five Delhi hospitals three state-run and two private found recently. In fact, one in every four osteoarthritis patients turned out to be less than 40+ years old and often overweight.

The survey, held over the past six months in Veer Savarkar, Hedgewar, Jagpravesh, RK and Malik Medix Hospitals, had orthopaedic surgeons reporting 600 patients with knee pain. Of the, 26% were in their thirties and the rest above the age of 40. The orthopaedic surgeons disclosed that while most of the patients under 40 had mild to moderate arthritis, 25% of them complained of severe symptoms, for example difficulty walking for 10 minutes. Their x-rays revealed marked narrowing of the knee joint space, Dr Sushil Sharma, who led the research team, said.

The increased incidence of obesity, the researchers found, was the leading cause of osteoarthritis in the younger adults. "In our hospital, we found the younger patients were overweight women," Dr Arvind Kumar, one of the researchers from east Delhi's Hedgewar Hospital, told TOI. "They were from the poorer socio-economic group and had taken to alternative therapies for pain relief. Some of the medicines they used contained steroids."

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Arthritis gets younger: 1 in every 4 below 40 years - Times of India

Sgt. Jayden Cormier and five of his buddies from the Canadian Scottish Regiment made a big impression at the 2016 Victoria Walk to fight Arthritis, strapping on up to 36 kilograms apiece and doing the main five-kilometre route three times.

It was all inspired by the 28-year-old Cormiers mother, Denise, who has had arthritis since he was born. The Victoria event is part of a national effort to stage fundraising walks in support of the Arthritis Society.

Cormier said he suggested the idea of doing the walk to a regimental committee that annually picks a charity to support.

I pitched it to the committee and everyone was on board.

Ten members of his new regiment, the 5th (B.C.) Field Artillery, will be at the 2017 Victoria walk on June 4, but Cormier is preparing for deployment to eastern Europe and is not sure if he can be there.

I may or may not be back, he said from Edmonton, where he is training in advance of his posting.

Team fundraising is underway and includes gathering pledges, Cormier said. The group will once again do the 5K route three times laden with similar weight.

He said his mothers arthritis has gone through various stages over the years.

Ive grown up seeing it progress, he said. Its kind of been a bit of a roller coaster, progressively getting worse.

But theres some really great programs and treatments out there, and a recent surgery that she had that has really brought back a lot of her mobility, which has been wonderful.

Cormier said his mother is serving as this years co-ordinator for the other Island walk in Parksville.

Its kind of neat to see, he said. They were looking for someone and she stepped up.

People can relate to arthritis as a cause worthy of support, Cormier said.

For me theres definitely personal ties, and within the community, for the most part, everyone knows somebody who has been impacted by arthritis.

Cormier said he and his army friends are proud to be associated with the walk,

For us, as military members, its nice to give back but also show that not only are we representatives within our community, but we are members of it, as well.

Victoria has been part of the Arthritis Societys national walk program for the past seven years, but the city has had an arthritis walk since 1992.

About 250 people took part in the citys 1016 walk, and Victoria spokeswoman Emma Kirkland is hoping to see about 300 this year. The walk will once again start near the Selkirk Trestle in Selkirk Green Park and provide the option of a one- or five-kilometre route.

Participants will begin by walking across the trestle.

Kirkland said arthritis affects 4.6 million Canadians or one in seven. There are 100 different types of arthritis, she said, ranging from osteoarthritis and gout to fibromyalgia.

Register for either the Victoria or Parksville walk at walktofightarthritis.ca, or in Victoria call Kirkland at 250-519-4002.

Both walks have event-day registration at 8:30 a.m. and start at 10 a.m.

The Parksville walk is centred at Parksville Community Park.

jwbell@timescolonist.com

Original post:
Team carries heavy burden in arthritis walk - Times Colonist

Sanofi Genzyme's Kendall Square site.

Federal regulators Monday OKd a drug made by Cambridge-based Sanofi Genzyme to treat rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including more than 1.3 million in the United States.

The regulatory sign-off on Kevzara, co-developed with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Tarrytown, NY, marked the second major US drug approval this year for Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care arm of French drug giant Sanofi SA. In late March, the Food and Drug Administration gave a green light to the companys medicine to treat severe forms of eczema.

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The FDA approved Kevzara for adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded adequately to other treatments. Doctors can prescribe Kevzara as a sole treatment or in combination with other medicines. The drugs label will include a safety notice that it can cause side effects, including serious infections, in some patients.

We have very high hopes for Kevzara, said Jonathan Sadeh, a Sanofi vice president and clinical research lead for the drug program. It fills an important unmet need. In tests of the experimental drug on rheumatoid arthritis patients, he said, weve shown a clinically meaningful impact on symptoms and on slowing down the progression of the disease.

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Mondays approval came seven months after the FDA delayed a decision on the rheumatoid arthritis treatment, citing deficiencies found during inspection of a Sanofi manufacturing site in Normandy, France. The problems have since been addressed.

The drug was approved by Canadian regulators in January, and Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron which will split the revenues are awaiting decisions in Europe and Japan by the end of the year.

Unlike the eczema drug Dupixent, which biopharma analysts have pegged as a blockbuster product with peak sales topping $1 billion a year, Kevzara will enter a market crowded with existing medicines that work in different ways. The top-selling rheumatoid arthritis treatment is Humira, sold by North Chicago, Ill., biopharma AbbVie Inc.

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But the global rheumatoid arthritis market has been estimated at $20 billion, and its been growing at about 2 percent a year. That means Kevzara could generate significant revenue if it can make inroads into the market.

In more than a half dozen late-stage clinical trials, Kevzara outperformed Humira in improving the condition of patients who didnt respond well to a common first-line treatment called methotrexate. Its important to give clinicians more options in treating this disease, Sadeh said. If you have an inadequate response to one mechanism, its better to go to another mechanism.

Kevzara is a type of biologic drug known as a monoclonal antibody. It works by blocking the activation of cell receptors that cause inflammation of joints throughout the body. Sadeh said the same type of action could potentially treat many other diseases.

Scientists at Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron, who are collaborating in a broad drug development alliance, are actively reviewing other indications, Sadeh said.

In addition to Kevzara, the collaboration already has yielded two other approved drugs. One is Dupixent; the other is Praulent, which treats hypercholesterolemia, a condition that affects people with extremely high levels of cholesterol.

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FDA approves Sanofi Genzyme rheumatoid arthritis drug - The Boston Globe

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - A new nationwide stem cell study is hoping to give dogs with arthritis a better life. Minnesota is one of about a dozen states involved in this ground breaking clinical trial.

Fourteen-year-old Max has arthritis and his owner, Lynsey Rossi says, "When he walks sometimes he can't keep balance and he doesn't have the stability." Rossi is excited Max was selected to participate in this new double blind stem cell study, even though she doesn't know if Max was injected with the placebo or the stem cells.

Dr. Ann Valenti at the Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital is tracking dozens of dogs' progress.

"They're taking the stem cells from the umbilical cords of puppies that would typically be waste material and they're purifying it and making it into a product that has a very rich stem cell component to it," Valentisaid.

The hope is the stem cells will produce more cartilage and joint fluid.

Max gets a lameness test every few months for up to six months to test his ability to walk and jog.

The good news for all dogs in this cutting edge trial, in the end, every single one will get injected with stemcells.

If you'd like to know if your dog could participate there are several qualifications, such as the dog has to be older than a year. Also it has to be in general good health besides arthritis.

Owners have to keep a diary about their dog plus they receive $400 in compensation for participating.

You can find out if your dog would qualify and learn more by going to dogstemcellstudy.com

Original post:
Study aims to give dogs with arthritis greater comfort in old age - KMSP-TV

BY RYAN STEWART For The Oklahoman Published: May 23, 2017 5:00 AM CDT Updated: May 23, 2017 5:00 AM CDT

Phlebotomist Lisa Fulks prepares to draw blood from a donor on the Oklahoma Blood Institute mobile blood drive unit parked on Robinson in downtown Oklahoma Cityin 2015. [Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman Archives]

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the Oklahoma Blood Institute have joined forces to combat rheumatoid arthritis.

The institutes will utilize OBI's new software system, Bio-Linked, to match willing blood donors with researchers at OMRF to build a volunteer group for StopRA, an innovative U.S.-based prevention trial for rheumatoid arthritis, which is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, through its Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence program.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic illness characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. The symptoms include pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, and ultimately the disease can result in loss of function and disability. While little is known about how RA develops, studies show some people at risk for the disease can be identified through testing for an autoantibody called anti-CCP.'

We know that individuals with this protein in their blood are at a higher risk, said Dr. Judith James, StopRA investigator and OMRF's vice president of clinical affairs and chair of the foundation's Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program. But we didn't know how we could screen a large number of healthy individuals to see if they're walking around with this risk factor to address the disease before it develops. That led to this beautiful partnership with OBI.

OBI's Bio-Linked initiative has made this early screening possible. Unveiled in late 2016, Bio-Linked is a unique software system in which OBI's generous blood donors are matched with medical research projects like StopRA.

This was created because we know there is a great need for people who are willing to participate in research, said Charles Mooney, OBI vice president of quality management and new business ventures. Our blood donors are the perfect people to recruit to do research because they are responsive, they care and they are willing to step up to do what needs to be done.

How it works

This partnership allows blood donors to sign up to have some of their extra serum submitted as blinded or de-identified samples to be tested for specific antibodies associated with RA. If they test positive for the CCP antibody, OMRF will contact OBI, who will reach out to the donors with more information about the study.

In the first 6 weeks of the new arrangement between OBI and OMRF, more than 3,000 people agreed to have their blood tested for the anti-CCP antibody. Out of that group, about 40 people had the risk factor and were contacted by OBI. Nearly all of them subsequently contacted OMRF to inquire about the trial.

James said the goal of the trial is to assess whether early treatment can prevent these individuals from ever becoming RA patients.

Coming off the promising initial response, OMRF and OBI are working to secure funding for another round of screening.

It is enormously rewarding for the Oklahoma Blood Institute to partner with Dr. James and OMRF in their valuable rheumatoid arthritis research, said Dr. John Armitage, OBI president and CEO.

Our donors have always been amazingly generous in giving blood to care for patients, but through this study, they are helping find ways to prevent disease symptoms from ever appearing in people with risk factors. This is a perfect public health collaboration whereby our healthy and willing volunteers are matched with brilliant scientists looking for people to help them unlock new medical treatments.

If you are interested in participating in StopRA or would like more information, please call 271-7221 or email Virginia-roberts@omrf.org. For more information on OBI's Bio-Linked initiative, go to Bio-Linked.org.

Preventing this disease from taking off would be life-changing not only for the individuals, but also their friends and families, said Dr. Stephen Prescott, OMRF president. This powerful partnership positions us to do something about it.

Ryan Stewart is media relations coordinator for Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Continued here:
OMRF, OBI partner to fight rheumatoid arthritis - NewsOK.com

Prevention.com

This Is What Rheumatoid Arthritis Actually Feels Like Prevention.com Most people think arthritis only affects those hovering around retirement age. But rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, can actually strike those in their 20s or 30s. And unlike some other rheumatic diseases, the side effects of the ...

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This Is What Rheumatoid Arthritis Actually Feels Like - Prevention.com

Ablynx said today it will receive a 15 million ($16.9 million) milestone payment from Merck KGaA after the pharma giant approved its preclinical package for ALX-1141, setting the stage for advancing the osteoarthritis candidate into clinical studies.

Merck KGaA will oversee clinical development of ALX-1141, Ablynx said.

ALX-1141 is the first candidate to be developed through a 6-year-old collaboration between the companies. Ablynx and Merck KGaA agreed in 2011 to develop candidates against two Merck-selected osteoarthritis targets, with Merck at the time agreeing to pay Ablynx 20 million ($22.5 million) upfront.

Ablynx is eligible for approximately 120 million ($135 million) in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties into double digits, upon successful development and approval of ALX-1141.

ALX-1141 and the second osteoarthritis candidate are being developed using Ablynxs platform based on single-domain antibody fragments, or Nanobodies, that contain the unique structural and functional properties of naturally occurring heavy-chain-only antibodies. According to Ablynx, the platform is designed to allow for rapid generation and large-scale production of novel biological therapeutics that have potential in a wide range of human diseases.

Obtaining preclinical proof-of-concept was an important milestone in this collaboration, Ablynx CEO Edwin Moses, Ph.D., said in a statement. With no disease-modifying drugs currently approved for osteoarthritis, there is a huge unmet need for new treatments. This Nanobody has the potential to become a first-in-class treatment option for patients suffering from this degenerative joint disease.

Dr. Moses added that ALX-1141 is the second Nanobody expected to enter clinical development from any of four collaborations between Ablynx and Merck KGaA. The other is a bispecific anti-interleukin (IL)-17A/F (M1095) Nanobodydesigned to neutralize the proinflammatory cytokines IL-17A and IL-17Fwhich showed positive results as a psoriasis treatment in a Phase Ib study, the companies said in January.

In February, Ablynx included among its significant clinical and regulatory catalysts anticipated for 2017 the potential advancement to the clinic of another Nanobodya cancer candidate co-developed with Merck & Co. under a 5.78 billion ($6.5 billion) immuno-oncology collaboration launched in 2014 and expanded the following year.

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Ablynx Wins 15M from Merck KGaA as Arthritis Candidate Nears Clinic - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

The global market for rheumatoid-arthritis drugs is expected to top $19 billion by 2020. Three of the 10 best-selling drugs in the world are arthritis medications. Pharmaceutical companies that market arthritis medications are making a lot of money -- and, as a result, some rank among the top dividend stocks around.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) appear to be the best dividend stocks among arthritis drugmakers. Here's why.

Image source: Getty Images.

AbbVie's Humira is the world's best-selling rheumatoid-arthritis drug and best-selling prescription drug overall, raking in $16 billion in sales last year. Thanks in large part to the success of Humira, AbbVie's dividend currently yields 3.84%, one of the highest among biopharmaceutical companies.

What's even better is that AbbVie has raised its dividend 60% since being spun off from parent Abbott Labs in 2013. The company appears to be in excellent position to continue dividend increases in the future, with a dividend payout ratio of less than 61% and growing earnings.

AbbVie depends on Humira for 63% of its total revenue, but the biotech has another rising star in cancer drug Imbruvica. In addition, AbbVie's pipeline includes several potential blockbusters, with cancer drug Rova-T and autoimmune-disease drugs ABT-494 and risankizumab at the top of the list.

Some might worry about threats from biosimilars to Humira. Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) won U.S. regulatory approval for its Humira biosimilar last year. However, AbbVie thinks it will be able to fend off U.S. rivals through 2022 by defending its array of patents for Humira.

Pfizer markets Enbrel along with partner Amgen. The drug ranked as the No. 2 rheumatoid arthritis drug in sales and the No. 3 prescription drug overall. Pfizer's portion of revenue generated by Enbrel in 2016 totaled $2.9 billion. (Amgen made nearly $6 billion from the drug.)

Enbrel was one of four megablockbuster drugs in Pfizer's product lineup last year. These big moneymakers helped Pfizer pay out a very attractive dividend, which currently yields 3.88%.

Although Pfizer's growth has been sluggish in recent years, the company should be in good shape for better performance in the future. Pfizer could become one of the biggest success stories in the cancer drug market, with soaring sales for Ibrance, the addition of Xtandi with its acquisition of Medivation last year, and a promising new drug, Bavencio.

Pfizer also should generate nice growth outside the oncology arena. Atopic dermatitis drug Eucrisa could reach peak annual sales of around $2 billion. Sales are also growing strongly for anticoagulant Eliquis, which Pfizer co-markets with Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Johnson & Johnson's Remicade stood as the world's third highest-selling arthritis drug last year. It also held the spot as the No. 5 prescription drug in overall sales. However, the position for Remicade could be in jeopardy in the near future as Pfizer cranks up its efforts in marketing its biosimilar, Inflectra.

J&J's dividend yield currently stands at 2.65%. That's lower than a few arthritis-drug stocks that aren't on this list, notably including both Amgen and Bristol-Myers Squibb (which markets Orencia). So why did J&J leapfrog these other stocks?

It comes down to history. Johnson & Johnson boasts one of the most stellar track records of any dividend stock. The company has increased its dividend for 54 consecutive years. That track record gives J&J a distinct advantage in attracting dividend-seeking investors.

The company's reliable cash flow should allow Johnson & Johnson to keep its streak of dividend increases going for a long time to come. J&J also has what I consider to be among the strongest pipelines of any major drugmaker. The company has 30 late-stage clinical programs and will add even more once its acquisition of Actelion closes.

Keith Speights owns shares of AbbVie and Pfizer. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The 3 Best Dividend Stocks in Arthritis Medication -- The Motley Fool - Motley Fool

Steroid injections don't do a lot to help relieve the pain of arthritis in the knees, a new study has found, suggesting the common treatment may be not be helpful.

The study found that giving patients cortisone injections every three months was no better than giving them a placebo injection for alleviating their knee pain in patients from osteoarthritis.

In fact, the researchers found that the steroid injections actually contributed to a loss in bone cartilage over two years.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than three million Canadians. The condition is marked by the breakdown in joints of cartilage, which is the tough elastic material that protects the ends of bones.

When the underlying bones begin to rub together, it results in pain and stiffness. It can also lead to synovitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the joints.

There is no cure for the condition, but doctors sometimes inject corticosteroids directly into the knee joint in a bid to quickly reduce some of the inflammation.

Some doctors are reticent to offer the treatment since it's known that repeated injections can actually contribute to the breakdown of cartilage in the knee.

For the study, a team led by Dr. Timothy E. McAlindon, of Tufts Medical Center in Boston randomly assigned 140 patients with knee osteoarthritis and synovitis to injections of either a corticosteroid called triamcinolone, or a simple saline solution, every 12 weeks for two years.

Id hoped that we might see some benefit from the triamcinolone because it supresses inflammation and we know there is inflammation in the knee joints, McAlindon said.

The researchers found that those receiving the injections of triamcinolone saw significantly greater cartilage volume loss than the saline group saw.

And though both groups experienced some relief from pain, there wasn't a significant difference between the two groups. Physical function remained about the same in both groups as well.

"The results of this study do not support the use of long-term, repeated corticosteroid injections for the management of pain or structural progression in osteoarthritis, and in fact indicate that there may be more cartilage loss in people who receive steroids," McAlindon said.

The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Bheeshma Ravi, an orthopaedic surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, says the study confirms what a lot of surgeons have known for some time.

This study will really help doctors and patients understand these injections -- especially steroid injections -- dont really have much of an impact on patient pain and should not really be part of the care, he told CTV News.

Ravi believes that many steroid injections are "patient-driven," meaning it's patients who are requesting them because they have exhausted other pain management options but are leery of having joint replacement surgery.

"A lot of doctors use these injections in lieu of counselling patients that they may benefit from surgery," Ravi said

But the injections rarely work to relieve pain and only serve to delay joint replacement surgery, which has been shown to relieve pain and increase mobility.

"Sometimes people delay surgery for too long -- and sometimes they do that by using these injections and various other injections offered -- they may get to a stage where their function is so low, that the surgery can't really make much of a difference (to their ability to function)."

With a report by CTV News medical specialist Avis Favaro and producer Elizabeth St. Philip

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Study questions steroid injections for knee arthritis - CTV News

When a joint develops osteoarthritis, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin, and the bone underneath thickens.

According to Arthritis Research UK, over eight million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis - a condition perceived as only a disorder that affects the elderly.

However, now experts have revealed body fat can help treat bone joint conditions, including osteoarthritis.

A new device gently suctions, processes and uses a patient's own fat tissue to provide a potential source of stem cells and growth factors to promote healing.

Experts said it could help people who cant easily move their joints.

GETTY

Fat has long been used for support of tissue repair and replacement

Orthopedic physicians at a US medial centre are the first sports medicine specialists in the area to offer treatment with the device, called Lipogems, used at the time of arthroscopic surgery.

The FDA - the food and drug administration in the US approved Lipogems for use in November 2016.

"The technology is ideal for patients with certain orthopedic conditions, such as painful joints - including the knee, ankle or shoulder - with limited range of motion, said Dr Brian Cole, professor of orthopedic surgery and section head of the Rush Cartilage Restoration Center at Rush University Medical Centre.

Additionally, it can be used in soft tissue defects located in tendons, ligaments, and/or muscles to improve the biologic environment," he said.

"Fat has long been used for support of tissue repair and replacement.

"Fat has the ability to be a source of important cells which produce important proteins involved with healing and reduction in inflammation."

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During the process, fat cells are taken from the abdomen or thigh while the patient is sedated with a local anaesthetic.

The Lipogem procedure rinses and cleans inflammatory oils and blood from the harvested fat and keeps the beneficial properties of the fat tissue, which is injected into the injured site.

The entire procedure from harvesting to the injection is completed in less than 30 minutes.

The fat tissue tends to remain in the area where it is injected instead of being immediately reabsorbed by the body, allowing the body to maximise the benefits of the injection for an extended period of time.

GETTY

Following injection, the tissue promotes healing and symptom reduction as early as three weeks after treatment.

The treatment can be used when standard options - such as steroid injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs dont provide enough relief.

It offers benefits for people who are unable to get surgery, would like an alternative to surgery, or it can be used in conjunction with their surgery, Dr Cole said.

We are excited to be offering this alternative to our patients and are conducting ongoing basic science and clinical research trials on patients with knee arthritis and other conditions to investigate the role of stem cells and growth factors that are present in the small blood vessels in fat.

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Arthritis cure on horizon - THIS unusual treatment can ease symptoms - Express.co.uk

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) Communities in the Richmond area rallied together Saturday for the 2017 Walk to Cure Arthritis.

That was held at VCUs Neuroscience Orthopedic and Wellness Center.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States today.

Saturdays walk raised money to find a cure for the condition.

We want everyone to know that arthritis is not just an old persons disease, Laura Boon, the Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation said. It affects children of all ages, adults of all ages and it can be debilitating for some people. Its unacceptable. Its not a normal part of the aging process and we want to raise awareness so people know that.

To find out more and to fight and walk to cure arthritis, check out the Arthritis Foundations website.

Donations will be accepted through August 31.

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Communities rally together for the 2017 Walk to Cure Arthritis - WRIC

Photo: Courtesy Of Laurie Gaboardi

Bryce Lewis of New Milford was proud to be this years youth honoree of the 2017 Danbury Walk to Cure Arthritis.

Bryce Lewis of New Milford was proud to be this years youth honoree of the 2017 Danbury Walk to Cure Arthritis.

Lewis raises funds for Arthritis Walk

Spirits were high at the April 30 Danbury Walk to Cure Arthritis.

Numerous residents of the greater New Milford area attended the event, which featured New Milford youth Bryce Lewis as the walks youth honoree.

Bryce, 11, was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age 5 at Connecticut Childrens Medical Center, after waking one morning and not being able to move.

Bryces team, Bryces Battle Droids named after one of his favorite movies, Star Wars raised just over $4,000.

The national walked raised $5,896,059.

The local walk included a three-mile and one-mile course, activities for the entire family and stories shared by local honorees.

In addition to raising funds for the walk, Bryce raised funds by presenting a screening of Star Wars last month, and donated books about juvenile arthritis to the library and local elementary schools.

Joining Bryce as an honoree were adult honoree Barbara Duffin, of New Fairfield, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for over 10 years, and medical honoree Dr. Richard Roseff, of Danbury, a rheumatologist.

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Lewis raises funds for Arthritis Walk - The Greater New Milford Spectrum

By: Khushboo Thadani

Adding some items in your diet and reducing your intake of others will reduce inflammation and soothe joint pain

Often referred to as a single disease, arthritis is actually an umbrella term for more than 100 medical conditions. These conditions affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically joints where two or more bones meet. The three most common forms include osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Although it affects people of all ages, women and the elderly are most at risk. While regular physical activity, using assistive devices and hot/cold therapies are necessary, maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet will help manage the pain.

Add these to your diet:

Cruciferous vegetables: Vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower and cabbage contain the compound sulforaphane, which is known to block inflammation and damage to cartilage. These foods are also extremely alkalising and maintain the pH level of the blood. Over time, this will minimise the onset of inflammation. Broccoli and leafy greens also contain calcium, a mineral which helps maintain bone health and strength.

Nuts and seeds: These are a good source of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, protein and antioxidants. Certain nuts are rich in magnesium, I-arginine and Vitamin E which keep inflammation in check. Walnuts and flaxseeds are particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers.

Oily fish: Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel have anti-inflammatory properties. They contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are absent in nuts and seeds. A source of lean protein, fish helps support cartilage and the repair of muscle tissue.

Red and purple fruits: Fruits like cherries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries contain anthocyanins. These powerful flavonoids help inhibit the production of certain inflammatory chemicals. These compounds also contribute to the health of connective tissue and defuse the attack from free radicals.

Turmeric: This spice contains the active chemical curcumin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. To enhance the absorption of turmeric in the body, pair it with black pepper.

Pulses: Iron is important in preventing anaemia and many arthritis patients are anaemic. Along with leafy greens and red meat, pulses like lentils and chickpeas contain a significant amount of iron. The body absorbs iron better when consumed with Vitamin C so pair it with citrus fruits, broccoli etc.

Avoid these:

Red meat: The fat in red meat is highly acidic and readily metabolised into inflammatory chemicals that cause swelling and painful inflammation in the joints. The saturated fat in animal protein also damages cartilage and joints.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates: Blood sugar levels surge after consumption of such foods, prompting the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.

Junk food: The sodium in such foods promotes water retention. Swollen veins put pressure on inflamed joints, aggravating the pain of sufferers.

Dairy: Although a good source of protein, dairy products are extremely inflammatory. Instead, opt for plant-based sources of protein such as beans, legumes and whole soybean products (like edamame and tofu, for example).

The writer is a Mumbaibased nutritionist and dietician

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FOODS THAT FIGHT ARTHRITIS - Pune Mirror - Pune Mirror

By Khushboo Thadani

Adding some items in your diet and reducing your intake of others will reduce inflammation and soothe joint pain.

Often referred to as a single disease, arthritis is actually an umbrella term for more than 100 medical conditions. These conditions affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically joints where two or more bones meet. The three most common forms include osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Although it affects people of all ages, women and the elderly are most at risk. While regular physical activity, using assistive devices and hot/cold therapies are necessary, maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet will help manage the pain.

Add these to your diet:

Cruciferous vegetables: Vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower and cabbage contain the compound sulforaphane, which is known to block inflammation and damage to cartilage. These foods are also extremely alkalising and maintain the pH level of the blood. Over time, this will minimise the onset of inflammation. Broccoli and leafy greens also contain calcium, a mineral which helps maintain bone health and strength.

Nuts and seeds: These are a good source of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, protein and antioxidants. Certain nuts are rich in magnesium, I-arginine and Vitamin E which keep inflammation in check. Walnuts and flaxseeds are particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers.

Red and purple fruits: Fruits like cherries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries contain anthocyanins. These powerful flavonoids help inhibit the production of certain inflammatory chemicals. These compounds also contribute to the health of connective tissue and defuse the attack from free radicals.

Oily fish: Fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel have antiinflammatory properties. They contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are absent in nuts and seeds. A source of lean protein, fish helps support cartilage and the repair of muscle tissue.

Turmeric: This spice contains the active chemical curcumin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. To enhance the absorption of turmeric in the body, pair it with black pepper.

Pulses: Iron is important in preventing anaemia and many arthritis patients are anaemic. Along with leafy greens and red meat, pulses like lentils and chickpeas contain a significant amount of iron. The body absorbs iron better when consumed with Vitamin C so pair it with citrus fruits, broccoli etc.

Avoid these:

Red meat: The fat in red meat is highly acidic and readily metabolised into inflammatory chemicals that cause swelling and painful inflammation in the joints. The saturated fat in animal protein also damages cartilage and joints.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates: Blood sugar levels surge after consumption of such foods, prompting the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.

Junk food: The sodium in such foods promotes water retention. Swollen veins put pressure on inflamed joints, aggravating the pain of sufferers.

Dairy: Although a good source of protein, dairy products are extremely inflammatory. Instead, opt for plant-based sources of protein such as beans, legumes and whole soybean products (like edamame and tofu, for example).

The writer is a city-based nutritionist and dietician

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Foods that fight arthritis - Mumbai Mirror

When a joint develops osteoarthritis, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin, and the bone underneath thickens.

According to Arthritis Research UK, over eight million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis - a condition perceived as only a disorder that affects the elderly.

Now, however, a doctor has said people with arthritis could benefit from taking a supplement called Pycnogenol - which is the extract of French Maritime pine bark could ease symptoms.

Dr Fred Pescatore said: While osteoarthritis is more common among the elderly, it can affect much younger people, leading them to look at alternative and natural therapies to manage their symptoms.

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A study published in the Journal of Inflammation concluded that French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol effectively prevented inflammation disorders in patients by moderating the immune systems response.

While the initial stages of arthritis can be blamed on wear and tear, the later stages are due to inflammation.

The inflammation is caused by cartilage cells responding to impact on joints by releasing pro-inflammatory properties called NF Kappa-B, the immune cell trigger for inflammation.

Pycnogenol was shown to lower the sensitivity of NF Kappa-B.

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French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol effectively prevented inflammation disorders in patients by moderating the immune systems response

Dr Pescatore added: Meanwhile, immune system cells release harmful substances in the joints such as free radicals and enzymes that break down connective tissue which speed up the degeneration of cartilage.

These processes are also controlled by NF Kappa-B and the effect that Pycnogenol has on NF Kappa-B will reduce the damage these substances has on the cells.

Pycnogenol was also shown to naturally inhibit COX1 and COX2 enzymes which are primarily responsible for joint pain.

Patients that supplemented with Pycnogenol noted a decrease in pain and inflammation by lowering COX1 and COX2 enzyme activity.

GETTY

Experts found Pycnogenol significantly lowers the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein by 72 per cent.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver that increases in the presence of inflammation in the body.

The study found a significant reduction of reactive oxygen species in arthritis patients by 30 per cent.

The finding reveals the anti-inflammatory activity of Pycnogenol is effective in arthritis patients.

Arthritis Research UK also recommends people stay active to reduce symptoms of the condition.

The active ingredients in Pycnogenol can also be extracted from other sources, including peanut skin, grape seed, and witch hazel bark.

Experts have also revealed French Maritime pine bark has been hailed has a way to normalise blood pressure.

This comes after it was revealed this unexpected vegetable could reduce arthritis pain.

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Natural cure for arthritis - adding THIS to your diet could ease painful symptoms - Express.co.uk

UW Health study focuses on connection... More Headlines

MADISON, Wis. - A yearlong study being conducted by UW Health is looking at strategies to help patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis quit smoking.

Rheumatoid arthritis is 36 times more likely in patients who are former or current smokers, and lupus is 50 percent more likely in patients who are current smokers, said Dr. Christie Bartels, a rheumatologist and health service researcher with UW Health.

Smoking cigarettes is linked to lupus and rheumatoid arthritis because of the effect it has on the immune system.

Autoimmunity is greater in people who smoke, and when we think about it, there are 7,000 different chemicals in cigarette smoke, and it makes sense that might irritate your immune system, Bartels said.

To help patients with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis stop smoking, the UW study has focused on strategies to help them quit. But instead of asking only health care providers for thoughts, they established a focus group of smokers and asked for their opinions.

The goal of the study is really to invite people to better health and not necessarily to shame people for smoking behavior, which I think has been the perception for years, Bartels said.

One of the participants in the study is Elaine Tarnutzer, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1991. A smoker for 40 years, she has tried on multiple occasions to quit without much success.

She believes the approach the study is taking to smoking cessation has merit.

If it is done in a pleasant, more caring way, I think it is more acceptable than, stop smoking, said Tarnutzer.

The study has developed a smoking intervention program that can be taught to health care providers in approximately 30 minutes.

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Study focuses on connection between smoking, rheumatoid arthritis - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3

Andrea Roane, WUSA 7:28 PM. EDT May 19, 2017

elderly man has pain in fingers and hands (Photo: Astrid Gast)

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 50 million people, including 300,000 children and their families.

On Sunday, scores of people will be walking together, supporting each other and raising funds to find a cure for arthritis.

The event is at Nationals Park and features a three-mile and one-mile course.

Also, at the Park, information about arthritis and fun activities for the entire family. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs.

You can still register by clicking here. Remember: every step counts, every dollar matters.

Swimming is one of the best exercises for people of all ages, but it is not risk free. Next week is Health and Safe Swimming week.

The focus is on simple steps swimmers, pool operators and public health officials can take to prevent drowning, pool chemical injuries and outbreaks of illnesses.

The week will highlight swimmer hygiene and the need for swimmers to take an active role in helping to protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs.

And it's Stroke Awareness month! Two area hospitals have earned Quality Achievement Awards for Stroke Care.

Sibley's Stroke Program and the Suburban Hospital-National Institutes of Health Stroke Center were honored for developing and implementing specific quality improvement measures to help prevent strokes, reduce death and disability for stroke patients.

2017 WUSA-TV

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Health Alert: Walk for Arthritis, Health & Safe Swimming Week, Stroke Awareness Month - W*USA 9

Zoe Belleperche and her big brother Tristan

Do it for the kids - Walk to Fight Arthritis in Trail on June 4.

Everyone has heard of it. Someones grandma or grandpa has it, and its a disease of the elderly, right? Wrong.

Did you know that kids get arthritis too? That they can even be born with it? Three in 1000 children are diagnosed with this life-altering disease, and at least one of those children lives right here in Trail.

Cindy and Adam Belleperches daughter, Zoe, was diagnosed with Juvenile Ideopathic Arthritis (JIA) in February of last year. Zoe was just 5 at the time.

It was a shocking diagnosis, and one that started an unanticipated journey for the entire family that included trips to BC Childrens Hospital, doctors offices to see pediatric rheumatologists, and many other medical appointments.

It also led them to become a part of the Walk to Fight Arthritis in Trail, taking place on June 4. As a mom and a nurse, Cindy wants to be able to share what she has learned to help create awareness about the realities of juvenile arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment can have a dramatic affect on the disease and its progression.

When asked why she is involved with The Arthritis Societys Walk to Fight Arthritis, Cindy shares:

Our family is walking in the Trail Walk to Fight Arthritis to raise awareness about this disease, and to educate people that it can happen to kids too. Zoe was diagnosed with systemic arthritis last year, and life quickly became a series of doctors appointments, medications and blood tests. My son, Tristan, had an idea to help, inspired by a recent walk to raise funds that his school did. He suggested that I organize a walk for Zoe, to help find a cure for her disease. He even created Help save Zoe posters, in his efforts to find a cure for his little sister.

The timing wasnt right to organize an event myself, but my research into it showed that The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division, was putting on a Walk to Fight Arthritis in Kelowna last June. Our entire family walked in it, and Zoe and her brother Tristan fundraised in our neighbourhood in Trail and raised over $1200. The Walk to Fight Arthritis in Kelowna was a very positive experience, and it was good to see the support around us.

We were so surprised and happy to find out that this year, The Arthritis Society had decided to hold a Walk to Fight Arthritis in Trail! I found out about it on Facebook, and through a friend in the community. Once people started hearing about it, they came forward to us, knowing about Zoe and her fight with the disease.

We have formed a team for the Trail Walk to Fight Arthritis we are called Zoes Fighters. Our family, and Zoe especially, would like to invite you and everyone in the community to join our team for the Trail Walk to Fight Arthritis on June 4. Arthritis touches us all, and we are sharing Zoes story so that it can make a difference to another child or family who may be facing the same thing one day.

Arthritis doesnt discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis, including gout, lupus and scleroderma, as well as the more commonly known types such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You can make a difference to people in your own community like Zoe. Register today for the Trail Walk to Fight Arthritis, where every step matters. http://www.walktofightarthritis.ca

The Arthritis Society is grateful for the support of local sponsors who have helped to make the Trail Walk to Fight Arthritis possible.

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Walk for Arthritis in Trail - Trail Daily Times (registration)

Posted on 5/19/2017

When

5/25/2017 8:00 PM

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Knees, hips, fingers, shoulders arthritis can cause pain in joints all over the body, and it affects millions of people. What can be done about it? Find out on the next Doctors on Call at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

During live interviews, Mollie Cecil, M.D., WVU Medicine family medicine specialist, will share her experience with Lyme disease. Ghulam Abbas, M.D., director of surgical thoracic oncology at the WVU Cancer Institute, will discuss the importance of screening for lung cancer, and George Sokos, D.O., director of advanced heart failure at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, will dispel some myths about being an organ donor. WVU Medicine pharmacist Charles Ponte, Pharm.D., and director of outpatient pain services Richard Vaglienti, M.D., will appear back to back to discuss both medications and alternatives to medicine to relieve chronic pain.

Dont miss the story of Randy Ash, who experienced a severe hunting accident and was rushed to the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.

DOC Talk, the call-in portion of the show, will provide viewers with the opportunity to ask questions about arthritisof two WVU Medicine experts rheumatologist Bruce Rothschild, M.D., and orthopaedic surgeonMatthew Dietz, M.D.

Its summer! That means cook-outs and picnics, and DOC in the Kitchen will show you how to practice food safety while you enjoy summer treats. Summer can also bring allergies, and the DOC List has the most common allergy triggers. The DOC Demo will show you some warm-water exercises in the pool that can relieve arthritis pain, and Its No Big Deal will show you how easy it is to become an organ donor.

WVU Medicine physicians John Phillips, M.D., and Kathy Moffett, M.D., will host the show. Highlights will be tweeted live on Thursday evening (@DOCWVU). Viewers can also get updates, suggest topics, and provide feedback anytime on Facebook (facebook.com/DoctorsOnCallWVU).

Now in its 25th season, Doctors on Call is an hour-long magazine-style show that airs quarterly.

To see previous episodes, visit wvumedicine.org/DOC.

See the original post:
'Doctors on Call' show to focus on arthritis - WVU Medicine (press release)

Steroid shots are the go-to treatment for people with painful knee arthritis. Patients typically receive injections of corticosteroid drugs directly into the knee joint every few months at an outpatient clinic.

However, a new study has found that steroid shots do not work any better than salt-water, and they may actually worsen cartilage loss.

The researchers randomly assigned 140 men and women over 45 years old to receive injections of either salt-water or a steroid shot. The patients were injected every 12 weeks for two years.

All of the patients had knee arthritis with inflammation of the synovial membrane, making them ideal patients for treatment with the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid triamcinolone.

At the end of the study, there was no overall difference between the two groups in terms of pain, stiffness, ability to stand from a seated position, or walk. Bone and joint scans also showed no differences.

The only major difference was that patients who got steroid shots had twice the amount of cartilage loss in their knees 0.21 millimeters for the steroid shot group, vs. 0.10 millimeters for the salt-water group.

The results were surprising because the researchers thought steroid shots might reduce inflammation, or at least slow down the progression of cartilage damage. Instead, they found steroid shots had the opposite effect.

Dr. Timothy E. McAlindon, chief of rheumatology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, said steroid shots may be useful for treating short-term pain associated with flareups of arthritis, but not as a long-term treatment strategy:

Theres a lot of excitement about treating inflammation to influence this disease, but this study is a test of that notion, and its negative. So we really have to question whether its correct.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, affects 30 million adults in the United States. It is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, which is the pad of tissue between the knee bones. It is extremely painful when the bones scrape together.

Steroid shots temporarily relieve pain, but the effects wear off in about two months. The long-term trade-off is faster degeneration of cartilage in the knees and progressive joint damage.

Source: Effect of Intra-articular Triamcinolone vs Saline on Knee Cartilage Volume and Pain in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis JAMA (May 2017)

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Steroid Shots For Knee Pain May Worsen Arthritis - Daily Hornet