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Home Anti-Aging Arthritis Depression increases the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis: Study

Those with the skin disease psoriasis may be at an increased risk for developing psoriatic arthritis if they also suffer from depression. This link has been confirmed by a new study recently published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and asserts that depression can raise a psoriasis patients risk of developing psoriatic arthritis by as much as 37 percent.

The connection between depression and psoriatic arthritis is especially concerning, as the mental health condition is not uncommon in those living with the inflammatory skin disease.

Psoriasis causes red, itchy, and scaly patches to develop on the skin of patients that can sometimes be disfiguring and lead to negative thoughts about their appearance. While psoriatic arthritis can occur without the skin disorder, it most often accompanies it and causes joint pain, swelling, and has the potential to result in joint damage.

Previous research has linked major depressive disorder with an increased risk for systematic inflammation, meaning the mental condition can sometimes have physical manifestations as well. This systematic inflammation could increase the patients risk for developing psoriatic arthritis.

By analyzing data from over 70,000 psoriasis patients aged 25 and older, researchers were able to determine that those who had been or still were suffering from depression were at a much higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.

Depression has been linked to a number of chronic diseases as a factor that increases their risk of development, and this new research has revealed that psoriatic arthritis can be added to the list, at least in the case of those already diagnosed with psoriasis.

Related: Facts about psoriatic arthritis

Related Reading:

Home remedies to soothe your psoriasis

That itch! Get to know the symptoms and causes of psoriasis

http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/news/20170224/can-depression-up-odds-for-arthritis-linked-to-psoriasis

Link:
Depression increases the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis: Study - Bel Marra Health

by Madi Wilson, Features/Perspectives Editor March 2, 2017

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 11, sophomore Katie Deans childhood was different than most.

In 2008, Dean was playing basketball when she tripped and fell. Her left ankle quickly swelled up, making it extremely painful for her to walk on. She assumed it was a sprained ankle until her right hand started swelling up days later.

If you take a latex glove and blow it up, thats about the size [my right hand] was, Dean said. It was red and we decided that that is not good, so we went to the doctor.

Treating her swelling and redness as an infection, doctors soon realized they were wrong. Dean had developed more than just a swollen ankle and hand.

I began to get a rash around my waist, which they had never seen before, Dean said. So as a fifth-grader, thats kind of scary.

Dean was regularly in and out of the University of Iowa Childrens Hospital, and because her hand was extremely large, she had three or four different surgeries to extract pus.

Months later, doctors treated Dean with arthritis medicine, and it worked. They officially diagnosed her with RA and identified her rash as Sweets syndrome, a rare skin disease thats triggered by infections, illnesses or certain medications.

RA, an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks healthy joints and causes symptoms including pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of physical function, affected Deans ability to participate in sports.

I was in a lot of sports, she said. I was in basketball, volleyball and I did track. I continued to do those up until junior high because I had the mindset that I could do anything. But after, like, practices or games, I was always limping around, and I couldnt run. I realized that I couldnt do all of the things that I really wanted to do.

Although Deans experience was a physical setback, she didnt let her diagnosis negatively influence her academic efforts.

Im really school-focused, and so I knew that I could still do school no matter if I was in or out of the classroom. So it wasnt really a mental setback, but I did see myself as different for a really long time.

Deans experience was challenging, but there was one thing that helped her through it all: writing.

While I was sick I actually thought, you know, that God was punishing me for some reason, Dean said. I actually started writing about my condition and my faith, and I knew that I was obviously strong enough to get through it.

Since her diagnosis, Dean has written a few books titled A Step of Faith (2012), An Unforgettable Journey (2014), Healings, Hospitals, Happiness (2014) and is working on a novel called Bumps in the Road.

Through these novels, she hopes to help people with their tough experiences through forms of faith.

Dean also used prayer to guide her through her situation.

I guess what really helped was my mom, and I prayed every single day about it and every single night. And so that really had an impact on seeing God in a different way, she said.

Along with writing and prayer, Deans support system was, and still is, tremendous. Her parents were always by her side along with many of her friends who still ask how shes doing.

My friends were also very supportive, Dean said. They understand what I go through, and every time I see them they always ask, How are you doing? Is there anything that we need to do for you?

Deans arthritis is managed through her medication and a shot she takes every other week, but she occasionally has episodes of pain.

Every time I do have what I call flare, people are always aware and always try to help, she said.

One group thats made a huge impact on Deans life is Religious Life Community. After participating in a trip to Florida through RLC, she realized that God was calling her to be a minister.

Im really active in my home church, and so Ive always had that part of me, she said. Ive spoken in church a couple times, and I really enjoy speaking in front of people about God.

Majoring in religion with a double minor in theater and music, Deans plans are to go to seminary after she graduates. She hopes to use her experience to inspire others and teach them that faith can overcome any obstacle in life.

Read more:
Facing arthritis at a young age, Katie Dean turns to faith - The Simpsonian

Dr Brendan Boland (left) and Gerry Clarke of Loci Orthopaedics

InDX, a new thumb implant from Galway-based medical devices start-up Loci Orthopaedics, has the potential to completely disrupt how painful thumb joint arthritis is treated, according to its founders Dr Brendan Boland and engineer Gerry Clarke.

The thumb base joint is one of the most remarkably complex but beautifully elegant joints in the body, but when a problem develops, the current treatment options are not great, Boland says. Some surgeons take out a bone. Others fuse the joint. Joint implants similar to those used in hip arthritis are also used but they have an unacceptably high failure rate because of the complexity of the joint. What makes InDX different is that it is the only implant that allows the joint to move the same way as a healthy joint moves. It totally reproduces the natural movement, allowing patients to return to full functionality in a matter of weeks.

The thumb base joint is a small but highly mobile structure located just above the skin crease of the wrist. The bones within it can move in different directions and this remarkable flexibility is both its strength and weakness. Over time the joint can deteriorate, leading to painful arthritis. One in 10 of the general population and one in three women over 55 suffer from the condition.

Boland says the current value of the treatment market for thumb base arthritis in the US and EU combined is an estimated $600 million per year. However, due to ageing populations, this is expected to grow to $1.2 billion over the next 15 years.

Severe pain is usually the main symptom of this problem, with people unable to turn a key, do up buttons or even write, he says. Surgeons generally try to take out the trapezium bone to stop the bones rubbing together and hence remove the pain. However, this causes the hand to become significantly weaker, as it changes the anatomy of the joint so much. Some surgeons will harvest a tendon from the forearm to try and support and reconstruct the joint, but this hasnt been found to be clinically beneficial. Fusing is another option but function can be significantly impaired, while existing implants have a failure rate of up to 40 per cent.

Loci Orthopaedics is based at the Business Innovation Centre in NUIG Galway. The company expects to create eight direct jobs over the next three years, while outsourced manufacturing of the titanium implant will also take place in Galway. The company is now looking to raise 2.5 million to fund further development, compliance and distribution. The first clinical trial of InDX in Europe will take place in just over a year and Boland says the device should go on sale in the US in about in 18 months.

InDX has been developed in conjunction with three eminent international hand surgeons and their support for the product means the medical community is already aware of the implant. We are in the fortunate position of having end users waiting, Boland says.

Read more from the original source:
New implant could improve treatment of thumb arthritis - Irish Times

The veterinarians at Village Cat Clinic in Ancaster can help you tell the difference between natural aging and arthritis in your feline and provide pain management techniques to keep your cat comfortable in their senior years.

Arthritis is common in older pets, but they cant speak up when the pain in their joints and spine becomes unbearable. There are signs that you can watch for, and indicators that they are suffering from discomfort beyond the natural aging process.

Activity

If you notice a significant decrease in your cats activity level or notice that they are sleeping more than they did when they were younger, then your cat may be experiencing arthritis pain.

Lameness

If your feline shows stiffness when they get up after a nap that lessens once they get mobile, it is a sign your pet may suffer from arthritis.

Mood changes

When were in pain, we often become short-tempered. Animals can react the same way, and may growl or bite when they are handled because it is painful for them to be picked up or patted.

Excessive licking, chewing or biting

Cats may become fixated on painful joints and lick, chew or bite the affected area, causing it to become inflamed or raw.

Agility

With aging comes less agility, but if you notice your cat has great difficulty accomplishing small feats such as jumping on or off your bed or a chair, have a vet check for arthritis.

Village Cat Clinic has several multi-modal pain medications that offer safe and effective pain management for your aging pet and their individual needs. They can also suggest modifications you can make in the home to help keep your senior cat more comfortable and improve their quality of life, such as assisted devices like stools to aid them on and off a bed or chair.

Other environmental improvements can help, such as diet changes, weight management and physical activity. It is important to provide comfortable, warm sleeping areas for your cat and easy access to food, water and a litter box.

For more information about caring for your arthritic feline, contact the Village Cat Clinic by email at reception@villagecatclinic.ca or call 905-304-7877.

See the article here:
Feline arthritis: How to spot the signs - Hamilton Spectator

Jordan High School senior Jack Friedges will serve as the 2017 Walk to Cure Juvenile Arthritis Young Adult Honoree this weekend at the Mall of America.

Walk to Cure Juvenile Arthritis brings together communities nationwide to fight arthritis the nations leading cause of disability.

In the U.S., more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children live with arthritis. Costing the U.S. economy $156 billion dollars a year, arthritis affects one in five Americans and causes more activity limitation than heart disease, cancer or diabetes.

Friedges, age 17, was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in 2014. His parents believe he had signs of JIA throughout his childhood but attributed them to other causes. Friedges was very active; he was and continues to be a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball and his favorite sport, baseball.

At age 13, Friedges started complaining about odd sensations in his hands and that his fingers were big, fat and did not work. Friedges and his parents thought his sore hands were related to his active life.

Eventually, Friedges mom started noticing more and more that he was not using his hands. His brother would change the fishing line for him, he had trouble tying his shoes or buttoning his shirts and she saw how much Friedges was relying on his brother to do these tasks for him. Over several months, Friedges was officially diagnosed with JIA and his pain started to intensify and spread to his hands, feet, knees, elbows, shoulders and back.

Although Friedges optimistic attitude was unbeatable, it was a difficult time for their family. After six months of pain, Friedges medication started working and his pain and swelling decreased dramatically. Friedges has taken charge of his health, learning about his medication side effects and what triggers swelling or pain.

He does all this while being the most positive member of our family when it comes to this diagnosis, says Friedges mom. His strength to move on, stay positive and be in control of his life is astonishing.

Friedges, as the Young Adult Honoree, and his family want to help raise money for a cure as well as spread awareness about JIA. They may be uncertain of Friedges future but appreciate the resources, education and hope that the Arthritis Foundation has provided them. They are positive that JIA will not define Friedges future and he will be the champion of his own life.

See more here:
Jack Friedges named Arthritis Foundation 2017 Young Adult Honoree - SW News Media

Clinical Pain Advisor (registration)

Marine Oil Supplementation for Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Pain Advisor (registration) Because rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammation, it is not surprising that researchers have long been interested in whether omega-3 supplements can improve RA symptoms. In a review article, Dr Tedeschi and associate Karen ...

Excerpt from:
Marine Oil Supplementation for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Clinical Pain Advisor (registration)

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical marijuana market is expected to reach a value of USD 55.8 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It has been identified that, in 2016, Washington D.C. along with 28 states have legalized marijuana for medical uses. In 2016, states such as Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania were approved to use the drug in medical applications such as chemotherapies and pain management. The growing number of states and countries getting approval for using it in therapeutic applications is one of the crucial factors driving the demand over the coming few years.

The presence of several regulatory frameworks such as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act is indicators of the present demand for the drug in the market. The regulatory framework requires every individual or the company associated such as growers, retail operators, and makers of processed pot products to obtain permission and an annual state license from 2018. An increasing number of issued licenses is also among factors that is expected to drive the market especially after 2018.

The increasing interest amongst the academic researchers and healthcare providers regarding the therapeutic uses of marijuana is among the significant factors, which is driving the market over the coming years. Some of its potential therapeutic values are suppression of vomiting & nausea, pain relief, and appetite stimulation. In addition, research states that marijuana is effective in providing relief to the patient suffering from HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. The growing number of therapeutic applications of the drug is one of the key factors that is propelling the market over the forecast period.

Further key findings from the study suggest:

In 2015, chronic pain was the largest application segment owing to the presence of a huge patient base

The growing prevalence of chronic pain elevates the demand for the drug, thus expected to boost the medical marijuana for chronic pain management

The rapidly growing number of cannabis legalization in the U.S. is one of the key attributes for its increased demand in therapeutic and recreational uses, and thus anticipated to impel the market growth

Increasing investment in R&D & demand for cannabis in chemotherapy is expected to drive the growth in the Asia Pacific market

Some of the key players are Cara Therapeutics Inc.; CannaGrow Holdings, Inc.; Cannabis Sativa, Inc.; United Cannabis Corporation; GrowBlox Sciences, Inc.; GW Pharmaceuticals, plc; Lexaria Corp; International Consolidated Companies, Inc. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04717523-summary/view-report.html

About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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__________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medical-marijuana-market-analysis-by-application-chronic-pain-arthritis-migraine-cancer-by-country-us-canada-france-italy-switzerland-israel-belgium-croatia-finland-netherlands-portugal-czech-republic-estonia-300415515.html

Originally posted here:
Medical Marijuana Market Analysis By Application, (Chronic Pain, Arthritis, Migraine, Cancer) By Country (US, Canada ... - Yahoo Finance

Schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis don't seem to have a lot in common, aside from being often debilitating conditions that each affect around 1 percent of the population. One is a psychiatric disorder and the other an auto-immune condition, but new research has confirmed there is a genetic trade-off between the two, with gene variations that make people more susceptible to one reducing the risk of the other. The work has identified eight genes that appear to play a role in this biological see-saw, providing opportunities to learn about both conditions.

We know that environmental conditions partially determine whether someone will suffer the confusion and false perceptions associated with schizophrenia or the joint pain caused by the body's immune system's attack on its own cells that defines rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, both also run in families and are known to have a strong genetic component, estimated at 70 percent for schizophrenia.

Several previous research studies have hinted at a potential inverse relationship in the prevalence and risk for the two disorders, so we wondered if individual genetic variants may exist that could have opposing effects on the risk of schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis, said Professor Vishwajit Nimgaonkar of the University of Pittsburgh. The genetics of both diseases have been fairly well studied, so there was plenty of data for Nimgoankar and his colleagues to work with.

After searching through existing databases of alleles(gene variations), Nimgaonkar and colleagues found 18 that appear to raise the risk of one of schizophrenia or rheumatoid arthritis while lowering the other. All involved the change of one genetic letter of the most common form of eight genes from the section of our genome known to be control the functioning of the immune system.

In npj Schizophrenia, Nimgaonkar reports that two of these genes, HLA-B and HLA-C, encode proteins that appear in both the brain and cells of the immune system. It appears certain single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) alter the production of proteins to improve the functioning of one aspect of the body at the expense of another, providing a level of protection against one disease while increasing risk for the other.

The HLA region has been thought to be related to both diseases for more than 40 years. Besides providing confirmation for these suspicions, Nimgaonkar's work will help future studies home in on the most relevant parts of our DNA.

Interventions that raise the risk of one condition while treating the other may be something of a devil's bargain, but it may be possible to tailor treatment to consider which condition poses more risk to an individual. Meanwhile, we have confirmation the immune system plays a role in schizophrenia, and a demonstration of the benefit of scientists looking outside their specialization.

Read more here:
Schizophrenia Genes Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk And Vice Versa - IFLScience

Gout is a type of arthritis in which small crystals form inside and around the joints. It causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling.

However, pseudogout is a form of arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in one or more of your joints - commonly the knee or wrist but it can include the hips, shoulders and ankles.

What causes pseudo gout?

The condition occurs as a result of the abnormal formation of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals in the cartilage which is followed by the release of crystals in to the joint fluid.

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Arthritis Research UK said: When CPP crystals shed into the joint cavity this is called acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) arthritis.

The crystals cause inflammation in the lining of the joint, resulting in pain and swelling in the joint.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pseudo gout are similar to gout, and are also similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

The symptoms can include swollen joints which are warm to the touch, red or purple skin around the joint or affected area, tender skin - which can cause extreme pain if it is touched and sudden intense joint pain.

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Who is affected?

Arthritis Research UK said: Acute CPP crystal arthritis usually affects people in late middle-age or the elderly, and its rare if youre under the age of 60.

Men and women are equally affected. An attack of acute CPP crystal arthritis can happen in a joint thats already affected by osteoarthritis.

Attacks of pseudo gout can last between five days and up to two weeks unless it is treated.

Treatment

The disease, unlike gout, is not linked to diet.

Gout is caused by too much uric acid or your kidneys don't filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints. These crystals can cause the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen) and painful.

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Pseudogout can be treated with drugs - non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - such as ibuprofen.

Doctors can also take fluid out of the joints to treat the disease.

This process is called aspiration and can reduce the high pressure in a joint which causes the pain.

Arthritis Research UK recommend people get the joint and muscles moving following an attack of pseudo gout and helps tissue return to normal.

Read more here:
Painful joints could indicate THIS form of arthritis - similar to gout - Express.co.uk

Sir David backing arthritis help campaign

SOUTHEND West MP, Sir David Amess, has called on the Government to provide more support for workers with arthritis to help close the arthritis employment gap.

According to Arthritis Research UK, only 60 per cent of working age people with a musculoskeletal condition are in work, compared to 80 per cent among those without a health condition or a disability.

Now, following the Governments Improving Lives consultation on employment support for disabled people, Sir David is calling on the Government to ensure that people with arthritis have the support to stay at work for longer:.

Sir David said: Its clear how enormous the impact of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions is on our local communities. 30,251 residents are living with back pain, a leading cause of sickness absence, in Southend right now 17.3 per cent of local people.

The ability to work is something that we often take for granted, but Ive learnt that for those living with arthritis this can be difficult. However, with the right support and flexibility many people are able to work.

Thats why Im supporting Arthritis Research UKs Work Matters to Me campaign.

See the rest here:
Sir David backing arthritis help campaign - Echo

THE MP for Keighley has supported a campaign to help people who have arthritis return to or stay in employment.

Kris Hopkins attended a reception in Westminster to find out more about arthritis and about Arthritis Research UKs Work Matters to Me initiative.

The charity has argued that what it calls the "Arthritis employment gap" is considerable, with the employment rate amongst people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions 20 per cent lower than amongst people with no condition or disability.

Mr Hopkins said: The ability to work is something that can be taken for granted but, for people living with arthritis, it can often be a challenge.

Arthritis Research UK advised me that, across Bradford District, 84,273 people suffer from back pain, which is 16.06 per cent of the resident population.

Nationally, back pain costs the economy an estimated 10 billion each year, a figure which jumps to 25 billion when you include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

I commend Arthritis Research UK on their campaign, and for placing the vital important issues it raises on the agenda.

More:
Keighley's MP briefed on campaign to help people with arthritis remain in employment - Bradford Telegraph and Argus

Metro

Living with arthritis What is it, who can get it and how can you treat it? Metro 'Arthritis is a chronic (long-term), degenerative 'wear and tear' condition that can affect all joints in the body, but predominantly the 'heavy duty' weight-bearing joints such as in the spine, pelvis, hips and knees. 'Arthritis mostly manifests with ...

Read more:
Living with arthritis What is it, who can get it and how can you treat it? - Metro

SWNS

Keith Young, 69, was bedridden when he was hit by crippling arthritis in both knees three years ago.

Mr Young, who was a keen scuba diver, golfer and fisherman, was in so much pain he considered ordering a Zimmer frame or undergoing knee replacement surgery.

However, in a final attempt to avoid these desperate measures he tried inserting copper insoles into his shoes.

Within five weeks, the retired print firm boss noticed the pain was beginning to ease and now he is back on the golf course.

Mr Young, from County Kerry, Ireland, said: I had arthritis in both knees. It was getting worse and worse.

I'm overweight and 69-years-old and I was dreading the thought of needing two replacement knees.

SWNS

I felt like I didn't have much to live for but now I can honestly say the Copper Heelers have been a life saver.

Keith Young

It got so bad I ended up walking with a walking stick and was considering a Zimmer frame.

The father-of-three believed he was being plagued by old football injuries when he began to feel pain and discomfort in his knees.

He visited the doctor who told him to see how things went for a while and 'come back if his condition worsened.

Within weeks the arthritis began to impact on his ability to enjoy his normal active lifestyle.

SWNS

The pain and the swelling were unbelievable. I took so many anti-inflammatories and paracetamol.

I was at my wits end. I used to stay in bed two days a week and then I ended up bedridden.

I was extremely depressed and putting on more weight due to the fact I was unable to exercise.

I am an active sort of bloke, always have been. I used to walk regularly, play golf and scuba dive.

SWNS

However, Keith was forced to give up golf. He also found it impossible to enjoy his regular walks in the countryside with wife Elsa, 67. Defying his wife's wishes, Keith refused to go back to the doctor amid fears he would need a knee replacement.

Mrs Young was desperate to help her husband so she did a lot of research and came across a company selling copper insoles. She bought him a pair and he inserted them in his shoes.

Within a week, he was more mobile, and was soon fit enough to join his wife on an occasional walk to the shops.

Five weeks later he started to accompany Mrs Young on walks in the country with the help of a walking stick.

Now, he is nearly back to full fitness and is looking forward to getting his golf handicap down.

He is now also able to walk briskly without pain. He said: My pain has gone. I am no longer depressed and have cut right back on the pain killers.

After being bedridden for six weeks because of the pain I was very depressed.

I felt like I didn't have much to live for but now I can honestly say the Copper Heelers have been a life saver.

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The apparent healing powers of copper were first pioneered by the ancient Greeks who used copper bracelets to ease aches and pains.

Copper Heelers are said to contain 14 times more copper than a copper bracelet.

Copper is an essential mineral in the body and is thought to keep blood vessels, the immune system and bones healthy.

SWNS

Link:
Arthritis sufferer facing a double knee op is now pain free thanks to COPPER INSOLES - Express.co.uk

Clues to relationship between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis Science Daily While schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder of unknown origin and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease of the joints that occurs as a result of the body's immune system attacking its own cells, both disorders are thought to be influenced by ...

Link:
Clues to relationship between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis - Science Daily

Home Anti-Aging Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis and kidneys: Protecting your kidneys from RA

Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at an increased risk for chronic kidney disease. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) along with an increase in inflammation within the first year of diagnosis, corticosteroid usage, hypertension, and obesity. The researchers recommend that rheumatoid arthritis patients be tested periodically for signs of kidney problems. Patients should also work to manage blood pressure by avoiding high-salt diets and scaling back on medications that can harm the kidneys.

The study looked at 813 Mayo Clinic patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 813 patients without the condition. Over the course of 20 years, rheumatoid arthritis patients had a one in four chance of developing chronic kidney disease, in comparison to the general public who had a one in five chance.

Senior author Dr. Eric Matteson said, That might not seem like a lot, but in fact thats quite a big difference, and it has important implications for the course of rheumatoid arthritis and for the management of the disease.

Heart disease was also found to be common in rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic kidney disease. Risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients for developing chronic kidney disease include corticosteroid use, severe inflammation, obesity, hypertension, and abnormally high cholesterol.

Dr. Matteson noted that there are currently no treatment guidelines for chronic kidney disease in rheumatoid arthritis, but he warns that doctors should be mindful of the medications they put RA patients on to reduce their risk of CKD. Furthermore, RA patients should undergo routine blood work and urine analysis to monitor kidney function. Kidney disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be detected very simply, and the techniques are the same as are used in the general population, Dr. Matteson added.

To further reduce their risk of CKD, the patients should be watchful of their blood pressure and reduce their use of medications that can be toxic to the kidneys.

Inflammation is the key component in the impact rheumatoid arthritis has on the kidneys. Normally, inflammation is a mechanism that the body utilizes to protect and heal the body, but chronic inflammation does far more harm than good, causing stress and destroying cells and tissue.

Other factors that contribute to a higher risk of chronic kidney disease in rheumatoid arthritis include obesity, hypertension, a corticosteroid medication, high cholesterol, and a high-salt diet.

Many of the risk factors for CKD in RA are modifiable, so its important that RA patients partake in the appropriate lifestyle changes in order to reduce their risk of chronic kidney disease.

The symptoms of kidney disease may be similar to those of RA and include fatigue, decreased appetite, itchy or darkened skin, muscle cramps, eye puffiness, shortness of breath, swollen feet and ankles, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, and increased urination.

While there are no set standards for how often doctors should test patients with RA for kidney disease, it is likely your physician will begin testing you more often after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Your risk for kidney disease also increases if you have diabetes, a family history of kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, so your doctor may test you more frequently if you have one or more of these conditions.

An RA diagnosis does not necessarily mean that you will definitely develop kidney disease. In fact, there are ways to protect your kidneys that include exercising regularly, eating a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fresh produce, limiting your sodium intake, monitoring and controlling your cholesterol levels, and staying hydrated. Regular testing and checkups with your doctor can also help to keep your kidneys healthy and prevent your condition from worsening.

http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/comorbidities/kidney-disease/rheumatoid-arthritis-and-your-kidneys.php

The rest is here:
Rheumatoid arthritis and kidneys: Protecting your kidneys from RA - Bel Marra Health

February 25 at 10:00 AM

A Web-based program of exercise and coping skills training improves both function and pain in arthritic knees, a new study suggests.

This kind of online therapy can greatly improve access to effective, nonsurgical and non-drug relief for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, researchers say.

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic knee pain and disability globally, lead author Kim Bennell, a researcher and physiotherapist at the University of Melbourne in Australia, said.

It has a significant individual, societal and economic burden and on an individual level knee osteoarthritis causes loss of function, reduced quality of life, and psychological distress, Bennell said by email.

Exercise is known as the gold standard of conservative management for knee osteoarthritis, she added. Psychological treatments, in particular, pain coping skills training that teaches people strategies to manage and cope with their painful symptoms, have also been identified as important and effective, Bennell said.

Sadly, such effective treatments are highly underutilized in the management of osteoarthritis. One reason for this relates to the challenges of accessing a specialist who delivers these services, particularly for people living in rural areas where services may be limited or non-existent or due to the mobility issues that are experienced by people suffering chronic knee pain, she said.

For the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Bennell and her colleagues enrolled 148 men and women over age 50 who had Internet access and had knee pain on most days of the week over the previous three months.

Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group or a control group, both of which received Web-based educational material about exercise and pain management for arthritis.

The treatment group also got access to an online program called PainCOACH and were asked to complete one 35- to 45-minute module each week over the course of eight weeks and to practice the pain-coping skills they learned daily. The interactive program included training in relaxation, problem solving, using pleasant imagery and changing negative thoughts to cope with pain.

In addition, the treatment group had seven Skype sessions with a physical therapist, each lasting 30 or 45 minutes, over 12 weeks. After evaluating each patient, the therapist taught them exercises for lower-leg strengthening and prescribed a regimen to do three times a week.

At the beginning of the study, then three and nine months later, participants completed multiple questionnaires scoring their pain levels and functioning.

At the three-month mark, those who got the online coping skills and exercise training had significantly lower scores for pain, functioning and distress than when they started and compared with the people in the control group. This difference between the groups remained at nine months, though the gap closed somewhat.

The important takeaway message from these findings is that an Internet-delivered intervention that adopts a holistic approach to the management of chronic knee pain and knee osteoarthritis, using freely available computer software, is effective and well received by its users, Bennell said.

These results are encouraging and show that telemedicine is clearly ready for prime time, writes Lisa Mandl, a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, in an accompanying editorial.

The real added benefit here is that patients do not have to come in for an appointment. They can access high-quality exercise and coping skills therapy, that is particularly tailored to them, at a place and time which is convenient, Mandl said by email.

Patients may also feel more comfortable asking questions of their therapist when they are asking them from the comfort and privacy of their own home, she added.

They may also be more motivated to follow the programs, knowing that they will receive a personalized follow-up call at home, and cannot avoid talking to the therapist by missing [an] appointment, Mandl said.

Mandl said she thinks this type of intervention would apply to most people, especially patients who live in rural areas or places without easy access to therapists. The fact that the therapist could be located anywhere is especially helpful for patients who may not speak English, she noted.

Reuters

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Online treatment reduces chronic knee pain from arthritis - Washington Post

An in-depth computational analysis of genetic variants implicated in both schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh points to eight genes that may explain why susceptibility to one of the disorders could place individuals at lower risk for the other, according to the results of a study published today in the journal npj Schizophrenia.

There is a wealth of genomic data on both schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis. Analyzing it jointly with known protein interaction information could provide invaluable clues to the relationship between the diseases and also shed light on their shared roots, said Madhavi Ganapathiraju Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and senior author of the study.

While schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder of unknown origin and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease of the joints that occurs as a result of the bodys immune system attacking its own cells, both disorders are thought to be influenced by multiple genetic risk factors modified by the environment.

Several previous research studies have hinted at a potential inverse relationship in the prevalence and risk for the two disorders, so we wondered if individual genetic variants may exist that could have opposing effects on the risk of schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis, said co-senior author Vishwajit Nimgaonkar M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at Pitts School of Medicine and human genetics at Pitts Graduate School of Public Health.

The researchers first analyzed two large databases of genetic variants significantly associated with either schizophrenia or rheumatoid arthritis. They identified 18 unique variants, also known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were located in the HLA region of the genome that harbors genes associated with immune function. The variants appeared to confer different risk for schizophrenia or rheumatoid arthritis. As the SNPs were located near eight known genes in this region, the authors suggested those genes might lead to dysfunction in both schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis. Proteins encoded by two of these eight genes, HLA-B and HLA-C, are present in both brain and immune cells.

Analysis of proteins that interact with these eight genes using a computational model developed last year by Ganapathirajus team called High-Precision Protein Interaction Prediction found more than 25 signaling pathways with proteins common to both rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia signaling. Moreover, several of these pathways were associated with immune system function and inflammation.

The findings are encouraging because they support associations of the HLA gene region and immune function with schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis that were known over four decades ago, said Ganapathiraju.

Increasing evidence also suggests that a dysfunctional immune system could play a role in the development of schizophrenia.

We believe that the research community studying these two disorders will find our results extremely helpful, Nimgaonkar said.

The authors note that the study only focused on SNPs in known gene regions, and other mechanisms apart from the ones they described may also contribute to the diseases. However, the study has significantly narrowed the list of potential genes for examining the schizophrenia/rheumatoid arthritis relationship. Studying the functional relevance of the gene candidates in cells and tissues will provide insights into the two disorders, according to the researchers.

Other study authors included Tulsi A. Malavia, Srilakshmi Chaparala, Joel Wood, Kodavalli Chowdari, Ph.D., Konasale M. Prasad, M.D., and Lora McClain, Ph.D., all of Pitt; and Anil G. Jegga, D.V.M., of Cincinnati Childrens Hospital.

The research was funded by National Institutes of Health grants MH93480, MH093246, MH084053 and MH094564.

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Clues to relationship between schizophrenia and rheumatoid ... - ScienceBlog.com (blog)

By Alan Mozes

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Feb. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Depression in people with the chronic inflammatory skin disease psoriasis increases the risk of getting the joint condition known as psoriatic arthritis by about 37 percent, new research indicates.

The finding raises concerns because depression is not uncommon in people with psoriasis, according to the authors of the study in the Feb. 22 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

"For many years, the rheumatology and dermatology communities have been trying to understand which patients with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, and how we might detect it earlier in the disease course," senior investigator Dr. Cheryl Barnabe said in a journal news release. She is from the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and the O'Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary in Alberta.

While the study found a connection between depression and the development of psoriatic arthritis, it wasn't designed to prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

Psoriasis is a condition characterized by red, itchy and scaly skin patches. These patches can sometimes be disfiguring. Psoriatic arthritis generally occurs in people with psoriasis, though it can occur on its own, according to the American College of Rheumatology. The condition causes joint pain and swelling, typically in the large joints and fingers and toes. It can cause joint damage, too.

The study authors noted that prior work has linked having a major depressive disorder with a high risk for systemic inflammation. This could explain why depression would bump up the risk for psoriatic arthritis.

To explore the link, the investigators analyzed information on more than 70,000 psoriasis patients in the United Kingdom that had been collected by a primary care database.

Patients were tracked for upwards of 25 years.

The researchers adjusted the data to account for other factors, such as age and drinking habits. Ultimately, they determined that people who had been depressed faced a much higher risk for psoriatic arthritis than those who hadn't been depressed.

"There is a tendency to think of depression as a purely 'psychological' or 'emotional' issue, but it also has physical effects and changes in inflammatory and immune markers have been reported in depressed people," said Dr. Scott Patten, from the O'Brien Institute.

"Depression may be a risk factor for a variety of chronic conditions, and this research is an example of how big data approaches can identify these associations," he said.

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SOURCE: Journal of Investigative Dermatology, news release, Feb. 22, 2017

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Are rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis simply the same illness diagnosed at different life stages?

The answer isnt as clear-cut as rheumatologists, patients, and researchers might think.

Juvenile arthritis (JA) also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, pediatric arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the sixth most common childhood disease, but its often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.

One reason for this is due to the misconception that arthritis only affects an older portion of the population. Another problem is the national shortage of pediatric rheumatology specialists.

There is also the issue that the umbrella term juvenile arthritis actually encompasses several unique childhood rheumatologic diseases.

Furthering the confusion surrounding JA is whether or not it is actually a separate and distinct disease from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or if it is simply early-onset or pediatric RA, meaning, the same disease diagnosed at a younger age.

Read more: Get the facts on juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

A new study may provide some clarity and guidance about the JA vs. RA conundrum.

In it, researchers say a genetic link has been found between JA and RA.

It was already known among pediatric rheumatologists that some kinds of juvenile idiopathic arthritis have adult counterparts.

Past research also showed that there was a genetic link between juvenile idiopathic arthritis and a chromosomal abnormality, but the sample sizes were weak.

In the new study, genetic associations within juvenile idiopathic arthritis categories were compared with adult inflammatory arthritis.

According to a press release about the study, A major finding was that there were within-category associations for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Specifically, the study team found that rheumatoid factor (RF)-negative polyarticular and oligoarticular were genetically similar. Comparisons with adult disease showed a shared association of human leucocyte antigen-DRB1 amino acid at position 13 for both child-onset and adult diseases. Moreover, researchers found that associations from a combined dataset for juvenile idiopathic arthritis types oligoarthritis and RF-negative polyarthritis were the same associations seen in adult seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

The authors of the study added, The results of this study have important implications for understanding disease pathogenesis, aetiology, and potential future therapeutic strategies for JIA categories, but they note that more genetic research will need to be done into JA.

Read more: Antibiotics may play a role in juvenile arthritis

But it is possible that these findings may eventually provide better, more targeted novel treatment therapies for JA and RA patients alike.

Or at least may open up treatment options to JA patients who have been limited by the juvenile component of their diagnosis.

The report states that, There are no specific therapeutic strategies for seronegative RA at this time, but given the rarity of this subphenotype of RA and the JIA categories individually, this study suggests that further comparisons of genetic studies for these diseases could help identify novel pathways and targets for therapy for both adult-onset and childhood-onset forms of inflammatory arthritis.

According to an article in The Hospital for Special Surgery, For more than 95 percent of the children with arthritis, we don't need new drugs or miraculous inventions, we just need proper application of the resources we already have.

But a missed JA diagnosis or delayed treatment can be catastrophic, as evidenced by recent reports out of the United Kingdom.

The same can be said for adult-onset RA.

Whether they share these genetic commonalities or not, both diseases are among the most disabling in their respective age demographic and both can affect more than bones and joints.

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Adult RA and Juvenile Arthritis May Be More Similar Than Once ... - Healthline

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins at the Arthritis Research UK reception in the House of Commons. Photo by Fergus Burnett.

THE MP for Keighley has supported a campaign to help people who have arthritis return to or stay in employment.

Kris Hopkins attended a reception in Westminster to find out more about arthritis and about Arthritis Research UKs Work Matters to Me initiative.

The charity has argued that what it calls the "Arthritis employment gap" is considerable, with the employment rate amongst people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions 20 per cent lower than amongst people with no condition or disability.

Mr Hopkins said: The ability to work is something that can be taken for granted but, for people living with arthritis, it can often be a challenge.

Arthritis Research UK advised me that, across Bradford District, 84,273 people suffer from back pain, which is 16.06 per cent of the resident population.

Nationally, back pain costs the economy an estimated 10 billion each year, a figure which jumps to 25 billion when you include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

I commend Arthritis Research UK on their campaign, and for placing the vital important issues it raises on the agenda.

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Keighley's MP briefed on campaign to help people with arthritis remain in employment - Keighley News