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Found 100 result(s) FROM 1963 pages containing the term 'healthcare reform'.
Friday Apr 02, 2010
Spotlight on Sjögren's Syndrome
As many as 4 million Americans are affected by the autoimmune disorder, but most suffer from symptoms for 3 or more years before receiving an accurate diagnosis...
Thursday Nov 05, 2009
Feds Set to Cut 21.5% from Medicare Fees—Before Healthcare Reform
The new Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will, overall, cut physician's fees by 21.5% in 2010...
Wednesday Oct 28, 2009
Third RA Patient Has PML After Rituximab
The FDA's MedWatch warning system reports that a third rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient treated with Genentech's Rituxan (rituximab) has developed PML, this time without prior anti-TNF exposure...
Wednesday Sep 30, 2009
FDA Finally OKs Stelara for Psoriasis
The FDA has approved Centocor's Stelara (ustekinumab) for moderate to severe psoriasis...
Thursday Sep 03, 2009
Research Trove: Patients' Online Data
Researchers and patients with rare diseases are turning to the Internet to connect patients around the world and collect their everyday experiences with their illnesses to help shed new light on diseases not yet fully understood...
Wednesday Jul 08, 2009
Seniors Reap Durable Gains from Knee Replacement
Four-year follow-up data show that patients 65 and older derive important, lasting benefits from total knee arthroplasty...
Thursday Jun 04, 2009
Allopurinol Extends Gout Survival
Gout patients who take allopurinol live longer than those who do not, mostly due to decreased cardiovascular mortality...
Monday Jan 26, 2009
4 Factors in Lupus Noncompliance
Lupus patients cite specific reasons for taking (or not taking) their meds. Changes in physician-patient communications might fix some of these problems...
Thursday Nov 20, 2008
FDA Says Bisphosphonates Do Not Cause Atrial Fibrillation
The FDA has concluded that there is no causal link between the use of bisphosphonates and atrial fibrillation...
Tuesday Nov 18, 2008
Centocor's Golimumab Gives Durable Skin, Joint Relief in Psoriatic Arthritis, ACR Studies Say
More than half of active psoriatic arthritis patients receiving subcutaneous injections of 50 mg or 100 mg of golimumab (CNTO 148) every 4 weeks showed improvements that lasted through 1 year in the joint and skin symptoms...
Thursday Nov 13, 2008
H. pylori Suspected in Oral Bisphosphonate Intolerance, SSc Stomach Problems
Helicobacter pylori infects nearly half of patients who cannot tolerate oral bisphosphonates and over 80% of systemic sclerosis patients. Treating H. pylori might reduce GI problems and increase treatment options in these and other rheumatoid conditions...
Monday Oct 27, 2008
JAMA Biologicals Safety Data Show Impact of What Supreme Court Will Decide in Wyeth v Levine
Nearly one-quarter of biological drugs wind up with additional health warnings within a few years of reaching the market. Experts say this illustrates the importance of a coming US Supreme Court decision on whether FDA approval shields companies from liability for harm caused by approved agents and devices...
Thursday Oct 23, 2008
New Use of Pregabalin: Preventing Chronic Pain After Knee Replacement
Perioperative pregabalin (Lyrica®) may stave off chronic pain and permit earlier mobility for patients who have total knee replacement…
Monday Oct 20, 2008
Bone Health Organizations Around the Globe Mark World Osteoporosis Day
October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day, which is the launch of a campaign to mobilize public opinion to generate change in osteoporosis healthcare policies…
Wednesday Oct 15, 2008
Genentech Issues Dear Healthcare Provider Letter Regarding Case of PML in a Psoriasis Patient Under Long-Term Treatment With Raptiva®
The 70-year old patient had received Raptiva® (efalizumab) for >4 years to treat chronic plaque psoriasis before being diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy...
Friday Oct 03, 2008
Occupational Therapy May Help OA Patients Get Moving
Occupational therapy may help get patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) lead more active lives…
Friday Sep 19, 2008
Axial Biotech Initiates Clinical Field Test for ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test
The ScoliScore™ AIS Prognostic Test can determine whether a child has a mild or more severe likelihood of curve progression, at the first presentation of symptoms...
Friday Sep 12, 2008
Breaking News: FDA Warns About Fatal PML in RA Patient Taking Rituxan®
FDA issued a MedWatch warning reporting the first fatal PML case in a patient taking Rituxan for RA...
Tuesday Sep 09, 2008
FDA Posts List of Potential Problem Drugs
The FDA has posted a list of prescription drugs that are under investigation for potential safety problems…
Monday Sep 08, 2008
FDA Warns of Histoplasmosis, Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients Taking TNF Inhibitors
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a “MedWatch” warning about the risk of histoplasmosis and other invasive fungal infections in patients taking TNF blockers...
Wednesday Sep 03, 2008
Out-of-Pocket Arthritis Costs Rising Despite Medicare Drug Benefit
Out-of-pocket medical costs for Medicare-age adults were brought close to 2003 levels by the new Medicare Part D drug benefit, but high OTC and prescription costs continue to be an issue...
Thursday Aug 28, 2008
Mesoblast Reports Preclinical Study Shows Allogeneic Stem Cells in Ewes are Safe, Effective for Cervical Spine Fusion; Therapy May Receive Boost From US FDA’s Recent Alert of Life-Threatening Complications Associated With rhBMP in Cervical Spine Fusions
Mesoblast is currently in phase II clinical trials for fusion of the lumbar spine and, based on these new results, will extend its market opportunity to cover the entire spectrum of spinal fusion. Subject to FDA approval, Mesoblast's therapy will eliminate the need for autograft...
Wednesday Aug 13, 2008
OA Increase Among Women Seems Due to Obesity As Well As Aging
OA is becoming more prevalent as the population of elderly increases, but Canadian researchers report that age alone does not account for the increased incidence of OA among women...
Monday Jul 28, 2008
Chelsea Therapeutics Granted UK MHRA Approval to Begin Phase II Trial of Droxidopa, a Prodrug of Norepinephrine, in Fibromyalgia
Droxidopa, an orally active synthetic amino acid precursor of norepinephrine (NE), is converted by the body into norepinephrine and as a prodrug of NE, provides replacement therapy for NE deficiency...
Friday Jul 25, 2008
New High-Resolution Device Aids Finger MRI in Scleroderma
High-resolution magnetic resonance angiography (micro-MRA) can readily measure vascular disease of fingers in systemic sclerosis…
Tuesday Jul 22, 2008
Compugen Reports Positive Preclinical Results for Therapeutic Peptide Candidate for Immune Related Diseases
The gp96 protein triggers both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system and is thought to play a key role in inflammatory responses, making it an important target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of immune-related disorders...
Monday Jul 14, 2008
Adding Caffeine to Carbs Speeds Muscle Glycogen Recovery After Intense Exercise
About 5 or 6 cups of strong coffee ingested along with carbohydrates after intense exercise can increase muscle glycogen recovery by ≥50% versus carbs alone and might prepare athletes for better performance the following day...
Friday Jul 11, 2008
FDA Warns of Tendonitis, Tendon Rupture Risk With Certain Antibiotics
Fluoroquinolones get black box warning due to increase risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture…
Monday Jul 07, 2008
Three Studies Support Rivaroxaban Over Heparin-Based Treatment to Prevent VTE After Joint Replacement
Three studies show that selective factor Xa inhibition with rivaroxaban trumps heparin-based thromboprophylaxis for reducing venous thromboembolism after total hip and total knee arthroplasty…
Wednesday Jul 02, 2008
Bush Administration Freezes Medicare Fee Cuts
DHHS has temporarily frozen the 10.6% Medicare fee cut that had been set to take effect after July 1...
Monday Jun 09, 2008
FDA Launches Major Investigation of Cancer Risk in Children Taking TNF Blockers
The FDA is investigating a possible link between TNF blockers and cancer in children and young adults...
Tuesday May 20, 2008
Is "Diarthritis" the New Epidemic? Maybe
We've heard of diabesity (the converging epidemic of diabetes and obesity) and now doctors may be seeing more diarthritis (diabetes plus arthritis) in their patients…
Tuesday May 20, 2008
Warner Chilcott, LEO Pharma Report FDA Approves Taclonex Scalp®, a Once-Daily Therapy for Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Scalp Psoriasis
The US FDA has approved the new drug application for Taclonex Scalp® topical suspension for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis vulgaris of the scalp in adults...
Friday May 16, 2008
Centocor Alerts Authorized Distributors and Prescribing Physicians About Stolen Infliximab (Remicade®)
A transport trailer carrying infliximab (Remicade®) was stolen en route to a specialty distributor on May 6, 2008...
Monday May 12, 2008
Nuon Raises $27 Million to Advance Tranilast Through Phase II Clinical Trials for Autoimmune Diseases
Nuon completed a $27 million series B financing to advance tranilast, its orally available, small-molecule lead compound...
Tuesday May 06, 2008
FDA Adds “Black Box” Warning About Infections to Enbrel Label
FDA has heightened warnings on the prescribing information for etanercept with regard to serious infections and has warned clinicians to screen patients for latent TB before beginning treatment...
Wednesday Apr 30, 2008
UCB Launches CIMplicity™ Program to Provide Comprehensive Treatment Support to Crohn’s Disease Patients Receiving Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol)
UCB's new CIMplicity™ program provides Cimzia® patients and their caregivers with comprehensive financial, administrative, compliance, and treatment support...
Thursday Apr 17, 2008
Skyrocketing Rates of Hip and Knee Replacements May Tax Healthcare System
The US healthcare system should brace itself for an exponential increase in the number of primary and revision joint arthroplasties and their associated costs…
Friday Apr 11, 2008
FDA Warns of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy With CellCept
FDA informed healthcare professionals that it is investigating a potential association between the use of mycophenolate mofetil and development of PML...
Monday Apr 07, 2008
Radius Fills Enrollment of Phase II Trial of BA058 for Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women; Milestone Triggers $28.3 Million Financing
Radius Health, Inc announced the completion of patient enrollment in its phase II clinical trial of BA058, an analog of hPTHrP (human parathyroid hormone-related protein)...
Monday Apr 07, 2008
Analysis Finds Etanercept, Adalimumab More Cost-Effective Than Infliximab for Medicare Use
A model comparing costs and effectiveness of the biologics currently covered for treating RA in US Medicare beneficiaries has shown that etanercept (ETN) and adalimumab (ADA) are both more cost-effective than infliximab (INF)…
Friday Mar 28, 2008
Regeneron’s Arcalyst™ (rilonacept), First and Only FDA-Approved Treatment for Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS); Now Available in the US
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that Arcalyst™ (rilonacept) injection for subcutaneous use is now available by prescription in the US for the treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)...
Monday Mar 17, 2008
More Support for WHO's FRAX Fracture Risk Assessment Tool
The International Osteoporosis Foundation hails the use of the new algorithm called FRAX™, which is based on absolute fracture risk and takes bone mineral density (BMD) and 9 specific clinical risk factors into account to estimate a patient's 10-year fracture risk…
Tuesday Mar 04, 2008
Karo Bio AB, Zydus Cadila to Develop Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulators to Treat Inflammatory Diseases; Karo Reacquires Rights to SARMs From Radius
Karo Bio AB and Zydus Cadila announced a 3-year research collaboration to discover and develop novel, selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulators for the treatment of inflammatory diseases...
Friday Feb 29, 2008
Ipsen's Adenuric® (febuxostat) for Chronic Hyperuricemia in Gout Receives Positive Opinion From CHMP; First Treatment Alternative in >40 Years if Approved by European Commission
Ipsen announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) adopted a positive opinion for Adenuric® (febuxostat) to treat chronic hyperuricemia for conditions in which urate deposition has already occurred...
Thursday Feb 28, 2008
Regular Aquatic Exercise Could Benefit Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Adding aquatic exercise 3 times a week to usual care for fibromyalgia may be a cost-effective strategy for improving quality of life...
Thursday Feb 28, 2008
Tysabri May Cause Liver Damage, Health Officials Say
Tysabri, the MS drug recently approved for treatment of Crohn’s disease, can cause liver damage in as few as 6 days…
Monday Feb 11, 2008
Half of RA Patients in Europe Forced to Retire Early; Increasing Healthcare Costs
As many as half of all rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are forced into early retirement and must apply for disability within 10 years of disease onset; adding to the extremely high societal and economic costs of RA...
Friday Feb 08, 2008
Phase III Data Look Good for Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275) in Plaque Psoraisis
Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275), a new monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, may hold advantages over existing systemic therapies for chronic plaque psoriasis in terms of its convenience and potentially its safety...
Thursday Jan 31, 2008
Single Face-to-Face Patient Ed Session Helps Acute, But Not Chronic, Back Pain Patients Return to Work Sooner
A single 2.5 hour individual patient education session given by a trained healthcare specialist can hasten the return to work for patients with acute or subacute low back pain (LBP), but does not have a similar effect on chronic LBP...
Tuesday Jan 08, 2008
FDA Warns of Severe Bone, Joint, Muscle Pain Linked to Bisphosphonates
FDA warning highlights "severe and sometimes incapacitating" musculoskeletal pain in patients taking bisphosphonates...
Thursday Dec 13, 2007
Pediatric Arthritis Causes 827,000 Physician Visits Per Year
Over 290,000 children suffer from pediatric arthritis or other serious rheumatologic conditions and require an average of 827,000 ambulatory healthcare visits per year, which places a significant burden on the health care system...
Thursday Oct 25, 2007
Systematic Review: Few Signs of Tai Chi Efficacy in RA
Tai chi exercise is often recommended for patients with arthritis, including RA, but a systematic review finds little evidence that it is effective...
Tuesday Sep 25, 2007
Alendronate-Related Giant Osteoclasts Reported by Two Research Groups at ASBMR
Long-term alendronate triggers formation of a new type of giant osteoclast that might lead to mistaken diagnosis of Paget's disease that does not appear to have resorptive ability, and that can still transmit signals needed by osteoclasts for bone formation, perhaps even increasing the efficacy of teriparatide...
Tuesday Sep 04, 2007
New Restrictions on Prescribing Prexige® (lumiracoxib) in the EU
The UK (United Kingdom) Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported that Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG has informed doctors in Europe of new restrictions on prescribing its COX-2 anti-inflammatory osteoarthritis (OA) drug PrexigeR (lumiracoxib), including regular liver function monitoring both before and during treatment...
Thursday Aug 23, 2007
Roche Announces NICE Approves MabThera® (rituximab) for Patients With Severe RA
Roche Products Ltd announced that the independent organization NICE has issued final guidance to the NHS approving the use of MabTheraR (rituximab), in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults...
Thursday Jul 12, 2007
Coffee Consumption Slashes Gout Risk
Coffee may stave off gout before it starts, but patients who do develop gout are likely to receive suboptimal care...
Friday Jul 06, 2007
Chi-Med Announces Positive Phase II Data for Botanical Compound, HMPL-004, in Ulcerative Colitis
Chi-Med, the Hutchison Whampoa-backed pharmaceutical and healthcare group, announced positive results for its phase II proof-of-concept study for HMPL-004 in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).
Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Too Much Early, Aggressive Care Slows Recovery From Whiplash
Early, aggressive treatment of whiplash impedes recovery, and adding chiropractic to general medical care slows recuperation even more...
Tuesday Apr 17, 2007
Is the "Golden Moment of Opportunity" to Improve FDA's Drug Safety Work About to Be Wasted?
The FDA's proposals for the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act are weighed and found wanting by experts in three New England Journal of Medicine commentaries...
Tuesday Mar 27, 2007
VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Completes $28.9 Million Series A Financing to Target Toll-Like Receptors
VentiRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced the closing of a $26.6 million Series A financing agreement, led by Frazier Healthcare Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, and Domain Associates.
Tuesday Mar 06, 2007
Calistoga Pharmaceuticals Completes $21 Million Series A Financing to Advance Drug Development Programs for Inflammation and Oncology Indications
Calistoga Pharmaceuticals Inc, a newly formed, privately-held drug development company focusing on developing novel therapies for inflammation and oncology, announced that it closed a Series A venture round of financing after raising $21 million...
Tuesday Feb 27, 2007
GSK Reports Clinical Trial Observation of an Increased Incidence of Fractures in Female Patients Who Received Long-Term Treatment with Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) Tablets for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) informs healthcare providers of recent safety data concerning rosiglitazone-containing products, ie, Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) tablets, AvandametR (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin hydrochloride) tablets, and Avandarylâ„¢ (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride) tablets...
Wednesday Jan 31, 2007
New Model Predicts Risk of RA
A newly developed, easy-to-use prediction rule may help rheumatologists determine which patients with undifferentiated arthritis (UA) will progress to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and require early, aggressive treatment...
Tuesday Jan 30, 2007
Arthritis Costs Consumed 1.2% of US GDP in 2003, but Per-Patient Costs Are Not Rising
CDC's latest analysis of direct and indirect costs of arthritis and related conditions finds a population-driven surge to $128 billion in 2003. The surprise is that per-person direct medical costs actually decreased slightly. Centers for Disease Control...
Tuesday Dec 19, 2006
FDA Warns of Fatal PML Risk With Rituximab Treatment
FDA reports deaths of two lupus patients treated with rituximab, warns of PML risk...
Wednesday Dec 13, 2006
Massage May Be Just What the Doctor Ordered for Pain of Knee OA
Swedish massage therapy may help decrease pain and improve function among patients with knee osteoarthritis...
Thursday Nov 30, 2006
CIAOMed Announcement: CIAOMed Writer Receives Women's Health Journalism Award
The 2006 Excellence in Women's Health Research Journalism Award is part of an annual awards program the Society for Women's Health Research launched in 2003 to honor journalists who excel in providing the public with valuable health research information.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2006
FDA's Woodcock Pushes for Biomarkers as Key to New Drug Development and Improving Drug Safety
Janet Woodcock, MD, the FDA's deputy chief for operations, speaking at the American College of Rheumatology meeting, said that the 1990s era of blockbuster drugs is over, and that a fast public/private collaboration to identify biomarkers that permit drug researchers to "move beyond demographics" is needed to get new drug development moving and to improve drug safety... ACR 2006 Meeting.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2006
Xencor Gains $45 Million in Financing to Be Used in Part to Advance Into Phase I Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials, XProâ„¢ 1595, a Dominant-Negative Inhibitor of TNF-α
Xencor, a company developing protein and antibody therapeutics, announced that it raised $45 million in a private financing led by MedImmune Ventures, Inc, and including new investors Novo Nordisk and HealthCare Ventures, as well as existing investor Zen Investments.
Tuesday Aug 22, 2006
Ethnicity, Poor Coping Styles and Lack of Social Support Predict More Active SLE
Socioeconomic, demographic, and psychological factors affect SLE disease activity levels, and some of these variables may be modifiable in ways that improve disease outcomes... Alarcón GS, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;65:1168-1174.
Tuesday Aug 15, 2006
Centocor's REMICADE Receives Expanded Psoriatic Arthritis Indication
Centocor, Inc. announced that the US FDA has expanded marketing approval for Remicade® (infliximab) to inhibiting the progression of structural damage and improving physical function in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), in addition to reducing the signs and symptoms of active arthritis.
Thursday Jul 27, 2006
FDA Approves 13 Generic Versions of Mobic
FDA approves 13 meloxicam formulations for the treatment of osteoarthritis
Wednesday Jul 19, 2006
TeGenero Files for Insolvency as Investors Evaporate Following Disastrous First-In-Man Phase I Trial of Superagonistic Anti-CD28 Antibody for Autoimmune Diseases and Leukemia
TeGenero AG has filed for the commencement of insolvency proceedings at the competent local court/insolvency court because the serious adverse reactions caused by the investigational agent TGN1412 in the March 2006, first-in-man, phase I trial made it impossible to attract the investment necessary for the company to continue operations.
Saturday Jun 24, 2006
Doctors Urged to Recognize Toll RA Takes on Patient's Sex Life
Health practitioners should be willing to provide information about sexual aids and positions that will allow patients with rheumatoid arthritis to continue to enjoy a healthy sex life without risking joint pain or damage... Helland Y, et al. EULAR 2006 Meeting; June 21–24, 2006; Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Abstract OP0134.
Wednesday Jun 21, 2006
EULAR Fibromyalgia Recommendations Surprisingly Upbeat
Far from being a hard-to-treat condition, fibromyalgia is yielding to a whole range of pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies, according to a review presented by Ernest H. Choy, MD, at the 2006 EULAR Meeting...
Monday Jun 12, 2006
Music Relieves Pain, Depression, and Disability in Chronic Pain Patients
An hour or two a day of self-selected music decreased pain, depression, and disability levels in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain... Siedliecki SL, Good M. J Adv Nurs. 2006;54:553-562.
Wednesday May 24, 2006
Bone-Sparing, Metal-on-Metal Hip Resurfacing System Benefits Young, Active Patients
A just-approved bone-sparing hip-resurfacing system will likely relieve pain and improve hip function among younger, active patients who have good bone quality, but caveats remain...
Tuesday Apr 11, 2006
UK Regulatory Authority's Interim Report Concludes That the Serious AEs Caused by TeGenero's Investigational Superagonistic Anti-CD28 Antibody Were Triggered by an "Unpredicted Biological Action of the Drug in Humans"
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK regulatory authority responsible for clinical trial approval, found in its interim report that
the serious adverse events (AEs) (collectively labeled "cytokine release syndrome")...
Wednesday Apr 05, 2006
Multiple Factors, Including the Quality of the PCP-Rheumatologist Relationship, Contribute to Referral Delays for Patients With Early RA
Although recent guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) stress the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one half of patients with early RA are not referred to rheumatologists in a timely manner... Suter LG, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;55:300-305.
Tuesday Apr 04, 2006
New Research Suggests That the Psoriasis Susceptibility I (PSORS1) Gene Has Been Identified
Previous studies have narrowed the interval containing PSORS1 to a 300-kilobase (kb)region in the major histocompatibility locus (MHC), which includes HLA-C and at least 10 other genes. New evidence suggests that HLA-Cw6 is the PSORS1 allele that confers susceptibility to early-onset psoriasis... Nair RP, et al. Am J Hum Genetics. 2006;78:827-851.
Monday Mar 20, 2006
Trial Halted of TeGenero's Study Drug TGN1412 (CD28-SuperMAB®) for Autoimmune Diseases and Leukemia; Six Hospitalized Following Serious Adverse Reactions
TeGenero AG, of Würzburg, Germany, announced that six subjects participating in a clinical trial evaluating the safety of its study drug TGN1412...
Thursday Feb 23, 2006
G2 Inflammation Pty Ltd Signs Deal With Novo Nordisk for Anti-C5a Receptor Antibody for the Treatment of RA and Other Inflammation-Mediated Diseases
G2 Inflammation Pty Ltd (G2I) announced a research, development, and licensing agreement with the Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk to advance G2's Neutrazumab...
Friday Dec 02, 2005
New Study Indicates Fear of Addiction Among Other Surprising Reasons for Poor Adherence to Bisphosphonate Therapy
While lack of adherence to bisphosphonates is well-known, recent research has shed new light on possible causes, including difficulties in following prescribing instructions, frequency of dosing schedules, potential drug-drug interactions, and fear of addiction… Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 625.
Friday Dec 02, 2005
Study Highlights Risks, Better Outcomes for Pregnant Patients With Lupus/RA
Although pregnancy outcomes for women with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis have improved considerably as a result of careful monitoring throughout gestation, this group of patients still faces a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications, including poor intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia, and also has longer hospital stays than women in the general population... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 991.
Thursday Sep 29, 2005
Study Suggests Statins May Lower Fracture Risk in Men
A study of almost 30,000 elderly men suggests that statins, in addition to their lipid-lowering benefit, may also reduce fracture risk...Scranton RE, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:2007-2012.
Sunday Sep 25, 2005
Osteoporosis Fractures, Costs Projected to Rise by 50% in 20 Years
A new survey suggests that changing demographics will fuel a 50% increase in the incidence of osteoporotic fractures and associated healthcare costs over the next 20 years... Presented at: 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research; September 23-25, 2005; Nashville, Tennessee.
Tuesday Sep 20, 2005
Link Between Genetic Factors and Osteoporotic Fractures in the Elderly
The predisposition for osteoporotic fractures is stronger than has been previously estimated, especially for early occurring fractures. A search for genes and gene-environmental interactions that affect early osteoporotic fracture risk is likely to be beneficial, but fracture-prevention should be focused on lifestyle habits...Michaëlsson K, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1825-1830.
Monday Sep 19, 2005
A Leading Rheumatologist Reflects on How Cyclooxygenase Became a Household Word
Just as it appeared that the dust from the great COX-2 controversies had begun to settle, a jury in Texas awarded a plaintiff a judgment against Merck & Co for one quarter of a billion dollars - indeed, for a death that, arguably, was not Vioxx-related.
Thursday May 26, 2005
African-American and Hispanic Osteoarthritis Patients Less Likely Than Caucasians to Undergo Knee Replacement Surgery
These minority populations are significantly less likely to consider knee arthroplasty compared with their Caucasian counterparts regardless of health status, a finding that researchers attribute to differences in the perception of benefit, trust in the physician, and personal experience with the procedure...Suarez-Almazor ME, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1117-1124.
Thursday May 05, 2005
Presence of Parallel Neural Pain Pathways May Assist in the Management of Fibromyalgia Patients
New research among patients with fibromyalgia shows evidence of parallel, independent neural processing pathways for sensory and affective pain, a finding that may lead to better diagnosis, selection of therapeutic agents, and efficacy for the chronic pain and concomitant depression that accompany the condition... Giesecke T, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:1577-1584.
Tuesday Apr 26, 2005
American College of Rheumatology Responds to the Recent FDA Action on NSAIDs
Citing a lack of evidence implicating OTC and prescription NSAIDs in CV risk, the American College of Rheumatology criticized aspects of the recent FDA decision... American College of Rheumatology letter to Lester M. Crawford, DVM, PhD, acting commissioner of the FDA. April 21, 2005.
Monday Apr 18, 2005
Herbal Supplements Carry Risk of Adverse Interaction with Arthritis Medications
High rates of polypharmacy and comorbidity may put rheumatology patients at particularly high risk for dangerous drug interactions involving unconventional medication...Holden W, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64:790.
Wednesday Mar 30, 2005
Cognitive-Behavioral Program Helps OA Patients Feel and Function Better
A self-management program that teaches goal setting, self-relaxation, and other behavioral measures improves pain and self-reported function in Dutch cohort... Heuts PH, et al. J Rheumatol 2005;32:543-549.
Thursday Feb 17, 2005
Pfizer, Merck & Co Grapple Over Cardiovascular Risk Associated With Coxibs
With the fate of a drug class on the line, all eyes are on an FDA advisory panel as they assess the data on coxibs and make recommendations that could lead to a labeling change or their withdrawal from the market... FDA joint meeting of the Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee; February 16, 2005.
Friday Jan 21, 2005
The Promise and Peril of the Next Generation of COX-2 Inhibitors
CIAOMed continues its series on the impact of the withdrawal of rofecoxib (VioxxR) from the worldwide market. The first installment (CIAOMed.org; November 9, 2004) discussed possible mechanisms of the cardiovascular (CV) risk observed with rofecoxib, and whether they apply to other selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. The second (CIAOMed.org; December 10, 2004) examined the impact of recent disclosures about COX-2s and CV risk on patient management. This third and final installment focuses on the clues to CV risk profiles of the second-generation COX-2 inhibitors and the role these newer drugs will play if they are approved for marketing in the US& Brune K, Hinz B. Scand J Rheumatol. 2004;33:1-6.
Monday Dec 13, 2004
Clinical Decisions With COX-2s: Balancing GI Protection and Cardiovascular Risk
CIAOMed continues its series about the impact of the withdrawal of rofecoxib (VioxxR) from the worldwide market. The first installment (CIAOMed.org; November 9, 2004) discussed possible mechanisms of the cardiovascular (CV) risk observed with rofecoxib, and whether they apply to other cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. This second installment examines the impact of recent disclosures on changes in the selection of appropriate candidates for COX-2 inhibitors, on the reemergence of traditional antiinflammatory agents such as nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for patients at risk for gastrointestinal complications, and on therapeutic decisions for those who require aspirin to maintain cardiovascular protection& Simon LS. Advanced Studies in Medicine. 2004;4:522-523.
Friday Dec 03, 2004
Leflunomide Associated With Lower Rate of Adverse Events Than Other DMARDs, Large Cohort Study Finds
Study of more than 40,000 patients showed that the AE profile of leflunomide, alone or in combination with methotrexate, was comparable to that of other DMARDs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis...Cannon GW. J Rheumatol. 2004;31:1906-1911.
Tuesday Nov 09, 2004
COX-2s, Pain Relief, and Cardiovascular Risk: Where Do We Go From Here?
In the first of a 3-part series, CIAOMed will examine possible underlying mechanisms that may be responsible for elevated cardiovascular risk in select COX-2 inhibitors and whether such explanations extend to all coxibs. Subsequent installments will examine how to manage patients in light of the new reports and the future of this frequently used drug class... Simon LS, Strand V. Cleve Clin J Med. 2004;71:849-856.
Sunday Oct 17, 2004
COX-2 Inhibitor Bextra Found to Increase Cardiac Risk in Patients Undergoing Bypass Surgery
Two weeks after Merck & Co. pulled its cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market because its use was associated with heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, Pfizer Inc. told doctors that its COX-2 inhibitor valdecoxib (Bextra) increases the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.
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