In a nutshell This study investigated if there was a risk of thromboembolism (blood clots) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. They found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a greater risk of thromboembolism. Some background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated if the timing of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy affected rates of knee replacement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They found that early intervention with anti-TNF therapy reduced the risk of total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Some background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition where...
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In a nutshell This study investigated if tocilizumab (Actemra) monotherapy or combination therapy with methotrexate (Trexall) was safe and effective in the long-term for treating patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They found that the tocilizumab alone (monotherapy) and in combination with methotrexate was safe and effective at 2...
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In a nutshell This study investigated if low disease activity could be maintained in early rheumatoid arthritis following discontinuation of long-term adalimumab. They found that the majority of patients that discontinued adalimumab maintained low disease activity after 3 years. Some background Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease...
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In a nutshell This study examined quality of life (QOL) in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It determined that adults with JIA reported worse physical QOL than adults without JIA. Some background Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints (connections between bones). JIA is a type of rheumatoid...
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You may not know this but you can get warnings from the FDA on problems with prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. For example, on August 11, a FDA News Release issued this warning about over-the-counter liquid vitamins that are given to young children and those who cannot swallow pills. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is...
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In a nutshell This study examined adherence with oral bisphosphonates (BPs) in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was determined that adherence was low in these patients. Some background RA is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints (connections between bones). There are two types of RA; seropositive and...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the effects of physical activity levels on cardiovascular disease risk (heart and blood vessel disease) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The authors concluded that less time spent sedentary and more time doing light physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diease in RA patients. Some...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of bisphosphonate on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The authors concluded that bisphosphonates significantly improved BMD in the spine in RA patients over a 3-year period. Some background Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can experience ongoing pain,...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the effect of smoking habits on mortality rates in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 36 years. The authors concluded that women who quit smoking entirely within 4 years of diagnosis of RA had reduced mortality rates. RA patients who smoked more and for longer were at a significantly higher risk of mortality...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The aim of this phase 2 clinical trial is to measure the safety and effectiveness of the new drug RO7123520 in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFIs). The main outcomes to be investigated are improvement in disease activity and bone density as well as...
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In a nutshell The study looked at increases in bone erosion and swelling using body imaging scans in patients with rheumatoid arthritis that were in remission. The authors concluded that up to 40% of patients in remission showed increases in bone erosion. Some background In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients experience inflammation and pain in...
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