Related Articles Results

Tuesday Apr 27, 2010
Botox May Relieve Pain from Tennis Elbow
Injections of botox helped ease pain but can cause side effects such as reduced strength...

Thursday Apr 22, 2010
Does PRP Therapy Actually Speed Healing?
The controversial blood treatment is gaining popularity amongst athletes, but studies showed mixed results on how effective it is...

Wednesday Apr 07, 2010
Surgeons Turn to Complex Spinal Procedures Despite Hazards
Complex surgical procedures to treat back pain have soared in popularity in recent years, but experts say they pose greater risks with no more benefits...

Wednesday Apr 07, 2010
Pfizer Predicts "Golden Age of Drug Discovery"
Pfizer is working on drugs to treat pain, inflammation, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease, some of which they predict will be mega sellers...

Tuesday Apr 06, 2010
Long-Term Methotrexate Use Does Not Reduce Relapse Rates for Juvenile Arthritis
Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis do not have their relapse rates reduced by a longer treatment course with the drug methotrexate...

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...

Wednesday Mar 31, 2010
Fibromyalgia Symptoms May be Alleviated by Short Bursts of Physical Activity
Lifestyle physical activity intervention may reduce fibromyalgia symptoms and improve physical function...

Thursday Mar 18, 2010
Knee Replacements May Improve Balance
Joint replacement may improve an elderly patient's balance and prevent falls...

Tuesday Mar 16, 2010
New Treatment Approved to Straighten Clenched Fingers
Xiaflex was approved by the FDA last month for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture, a condition that affects a person's ability to straighten and use their fingers...

Wednesday Mar 03, 2010
Patients Speak Out About the Pain of Fibromyalgia
Sometimes the best way to learn about a disease is to listen to the patients who suffer from it...

Thursday Feb 11, 2010
Merck Settles Vioxx Lawsuits
Merck & Co. has agreed to settle lawsuits over their withdrawn painkiller Vioxx with a strengthening of safety procedures, change of leadership, and payment of legal fees...

Tuesday Feb 09, 2010
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacements Growing in Popularity
Orthopedic surgeons have developed techniques to make hip replacement operations less invasive, cutting down the length of time patients spend in the hospital and speeding up total recovery time...

Monday Feb 01, 2010
CP-690,550, Pfizer's Oral JAK Inhibitor, Demonstrates Response in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pfizer’s oral JAK Inhibitor CP-690,550 shows efficacy at improving the pain, function, and health status of RA patients...

Thursday Jan 28, 2010
Pain Pumps May Lead to Development of Chondrolysis
Hundreds of patients have developed the relatively rare ailment after the use of postsurgical pain pumps...

Tuesday Nov 24, 2009
Fatigue Is Valid Marker of RA Treatment Response
Single-item measures of fatigue are reliable and sensitive to change in RA patients taking TNF-blockers...

Wednesday Nov 18, 2009
FDA Wants Pain Pump Label Warnings
Chondrolysis follows continuous intra-articular local anesthetic infusion, FDA says...

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...

Tuesday Nov 03, 2009
Naproxen/Nexium Combo Prevents Ulcers in OA Patients
Combining naproxen esomeprazole magnesium relieves OA pain while protecting the stomach...

Monday Oct 19, 2009
Experts Call for Early Intervention with Hip Scopes
As presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Hip Arthroscopy, earlier intervention is better when it comes to joint-sparing hip operations...

Thursday Oct 15, 2009
To Scope or Not to Scope in Hip Patients Over 60
Hip arthroscopy may benefit some patients aged 60 and older with femoroacetebular impingement...

Friday Oct 02, 2009
NicOx Files Naproxcinod NDA, the first CINOD for OA
NicOx has filed an NDA for naproxcinod, the first in the new class of cyclooxygenase-inhibiting nitric oxid donators (CINODs) for OA treatment...

Thursday Oct 01, 2009
MRI Can Show Joint Damage in Early Gout
For patients with gout but normal plain radiographs, MRI is more sensitive than ultrasound for detecting early gout, but what to do with that information is unclear...

Wednesday Sep 30, 2009
FDA Finally OKs Stelara for Psoriasis
The FDA has approved Centocor's Stelara (ustekinumab) for moderate to severe psoriasis...

Wednesday Sep 30, 2009
Sjögren's Smell, Taste Defects Affect QOL
Patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome often experience impaired smell and taste, which affects their quality of life...

Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
Fibromyalgia Goes Legit
Better understanding of the brain chemistry anomalies in fibromyalgia have paved the way toward more effective treatments for this pain disorder...

Tuesday Sep 22, 2009
RA Gets Worse if Spouse is Depressed
Spousal depression can affect the health and functioning of a rheumatoid arthritis patient...

Thursday Sep 17, 2009
Lilly's Cymbalta Maintains Low Back Pain Relief
Data reported at a European pain meeting show that Cymbalta^® (duloxetine) maintains relief of low back pain for 41 weeks...

Wednesday Sep 16, 2009
Thunder God Vine Trounces Sulfasalazine in RA
An extract of the traditional Chinese medicinal vine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) was better than sulfasalazine for treating rheumatoid arthritis...

Tuesday Sep 15, 2009
Neuro Exams a Must for Fibromyalgia Patients
Fibromyalgia patients have neurological abnormalities that may correlate with objective FM exam findings and influence treatment decisions...

Thursday Sep 03, 2009
Depression, CRP Linked to Pain in RA
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are twice as likely to be depressed as people without this autoimmune disease, and now new research links RA pain to both depression severity and levels of C-reactive protein...

Tuesday Sep 01, 2009
Strong Thighs May Mean Less Knee Pain for Women
Stronger thigh muscles may help protect women—but not men—from the pain of arthritic knees...

Wednesday Aug 26, 2009
Virtual Reality: Fibromyalgia Affects Spatial Navigation
Virtual reality (VR) testing confirms what many fibromyalgia patients suspect: spatial learning deficits related to hippocampal dysfunction...

Tuesday Aug 25, 2009
First RCTs Cast Doubt on Vertebroplasty Gains
The first 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic fractures show no significant benefits for the procedure...

Thursday Aug 20, 2009
Animal Rights Thugs Target Novartis CEO
Animal rights extremists desecrated the graves of pharma exec Daniel Vasella's mother and sister and are now suspected of an arson attack on his house...

Tuesday Aug 18, 2009
CBT Helps OA Patients Get Their ZZZs
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help osteoarthritis (OA) patients sleep better and hurt less...

Wednesday Aug 12, 2009
So You Think You Can Dance After Hip Replacement? You Can!
Orthopaedic surgeons are realizing that patients are never too young or too old to undergo total hip arthroplasty...

Tuesday Aug 11, 2009
Untreated Depression May Dim RA TNF Inhibitor Response
Persistent depression affects RA patients' response to anti-TNF treatment...

Monday Aug 03, 2009
R U Ready 4 Teens With Arthritis?
Teens with JIA are a challenge, and maintaining treatment response is likely to require different thinking by clinicians used to treating adults or children...

Friday Jul 31, 2009
Arthritis Patients Twice as Likely to Be Depressed, Suicidal
Rheumatologists should be on the lookout for depression and suicidal ideation among arthritis patients...

Friday Jul 24, 2009
Most OA Responses to Coxibs Show In First 2 Weeks
If OA patients do not respond to NSAID treatment by 2 weeks, it might be time to try a different drug...

Thursday Jul 23, 2009
Gene Therapy Cleared in RA Patient Death
The vector used in an RA gene therapy study did not cause the death of a patient who died during the trial...

Friday Jul 17, 2009
Excess Weight Speeds Up Osteoarthritis
Being overweight can cause a rapid deterioration of knee cartilage, leading to the development of osteoarthritis...

Thursday Jul 16, 2009
Tubular Diskectomy Patients Don't Recover Faster
Recovery from minimally invasive tubular diskectomy for sciatica is no quicker than from conventional microdiskectomy...

Thursday Jul 16, 2009
Array BioPharma Stops Work on ARRY-797 Pan-Cytokine Inhibitor for RA Despite Good Early Data
The pan-cytokine inhibitor ARRY-797 was safe at doses of up to 1,200 mg/day in a phase 1 dose-escalation study in RA patients, but will not be developed further for use in RA...

Monday Jul 13, 2009
I-A Clodronate, HA Try to Beat Placebo for Knee OA
Intra-articular clodronate is as good as hyaluronic acid for knee OA, but placebo might be as good as either...

Thursday Jul 09, 2009
EULAR Reports Link High Glutamate to Fibromyalgia Pain
Two studies on glutamate in brains of fibromyalgia patients show abnormal levels of the neurotransmitter in areas related to pain perception and emotional processing...

Thursday Jul 02, 2009
FDA Panel Recommends a Lower Maximum Daily Dose of Tylenol
A panel of experts assembled by the US FDA has recommended that the daily maximum dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) be lowered to prevent liver damage...

Monday Jun 08, 2009
Tai Chi Prevents Disability in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
The ancient Chinese exercise practice of Tai Chi may decrease pain, prevent disability, and improve overall physical health and quality of life for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain...

Tuesday Jun 02, 2009
Imaging Overused for Low Back Pain in Elderly
X-rays or advanced imaging scans to detect the source of low back pain are overused for certain elderly patients, mainly those treated in large practices that offer patient satisfaction-based financial incentives...

Thursday May 28, 2009
Primary Care Docs Still Pitching Bed Rest for Low Back Pain
Many primary care physicians are still recommending bed rest and other outdated approaches for low back pain...

Tuesday May 26, 2009
Little Science Behind Most Alternative Raynaud’s Remedies
Many patients with Raynaud's phenomenon try alternatives to conventional care, but a new analysis finds little data to support use of most such approaches...

Monday May 18, 2009
Sham, True Acupuncture Both Help Low Back Pain
Individually tailored acupuncture, standard acupuncture, and a sham procedure involving toothpicks at key points work better than usual care at relieving chronic low back pain...

Thursday May 14, 2009
FDA OKs UCB's Cimzia for Moderate to Severe RA
Cimzia^® (certolizumab pegol), the only pegylated anti-TNF, has been approved for use in the US...

Thursday May 14, 2009
Could a Urine Test Identify Early OA?
Separate sets of collagen degradation markers can differentiate very early knee OA from knee pain that is not due to OA...

Wednesday May 13, 2009
Persistent Sore Ankle Might Be Damaged Tendon
Physicians should consider peroneal tendon injury in patients with refractory lateral ankle pain...

Tuesday May 12, 2009
Obesity, Arthritis Blamed for Disability in Women
Females are at greater risk of obesity and arthritis than their male counterparts and these disabling conditions begin early and can rob women of their quality of life...

Wednesday May 06, 2009
Experts Warn Against Long-Term Use of Common Pain Pills
The American Geriatric Society has removed NSAIDs from the list of medications recommended for older adults with chronic, persistent pain, claiming that opiate use is safer than long-term use of ibuprofen or naproxen…

Thursday Apr 30, 2009
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement? Sometimes.
Minimally invasive knee arthroplasty may be appropriate for select patients when performed by an experienced surgeon...

Monday Apr 20, 2009
Forteo May Help Mend Non-Healing Fractures
Subcutaneous daily injections of parathyroid hormone (teriparatide, Forteo, Eli Lilly and Co) may help heal painful non-union or delayed union fractures by stimulating bone stem cells...

Friday Apr 17, 2009
Naltrexone May Offer Low-Cost Help for Fibromyalgia
Low doses of naltrexone provided significant pain relief in a pilot study in fibromyalgia...

Wednesday Apr 15, 2009
Reconstruction Recommended for Some Shoulder Separations
Experts differ on which type III shoulder separations need surgery...

Monday Apr 13, 2009
Caffeine May Be New Rx for Pain-Free Exercise
Jumpstarting a workout with a jolt of java or another readily available caffeinated beverage may reduce the pain associated with exercise...

Tuesday Apr 07, 2009
Low Back, Limb Pain May Be Early Spondyloarthritis
Low back pain, sacroiliitis, and limb arthritis are all early signs of spondyloarthritis...

Monday Apr 06, 2009
Gene May Explain Women's Heightened Lupus Risk
A gene on the X chromosome may be linked to lupus, explaining why women are much more likely to develop the disease than men...

Thursday Apr 02, 2009
Back Pain: Too Little Exercise, Too Much Imaging
Patients with low back pain are using too many ineffective treatments and too few of those proven effective...

Wednesday Apr 01, 2009
Analgesic Overdose Causes 21% of Deaths After Lumbar Fusions
Patients who had lumbar fusions for back pain were at greater risk of death in later years than those treated nonsurgically. The risk was particularly high in those who received instrumentation or intervertebral cage devices, and more than 1 in 5 deaths were due to analgesic overdose...

Monday Mar 30, 2009
Hyaluronic Acid Not Useful in Hip OA
A single injection of hyaluronic acid was no better than placebo for hip OA...

Monday Mar 23, 2009
More Americans Need Vitamin D to Prevent Fractures
Daily vitamin D supplements of >400 IU/day can cut fracture risk by 19-20%, but more Americans are becoming vitamin D-deficient...

Tuesday Mar 17, 2009
New Laser for Psoriasis Aims to Cut Treatment
The excimer laser, best known for its use in eye surgery, is providing some patients with relief from their psoriasis...

Monday Mar 16, 2009
Chondrolysis Seen With Local Anesthetic After Shoulder Surgery
Local anesthetic infused into the shoulder joint after arthroscopy can destroy shoulder cartilage...

Monday Mar 09, 2009
Bone Cement Eases Pain of Late-Stage Cancers
While it won’t cure them, injecting bone cement into lesions in patients whose cancer has spread to their bones can alleviate pain and allow for greater patient mobility and quality of life...

Wednesday Mar 04, 2009
Drop of Collagenase Provides Non-Surgical Fix for Dupuytren's Disease
A nonsurgical approach using a drop of collagenase to weaken the tissue cord that causes hand contractures in Dupuytren's disease is headed for FDA review...

Tuesday Mar 03, 2009
Tiny Arthroscopic Procedure Patches Up Arthritic Thumb
The most common type of hand arthritis, OA of the thumb, can be successfully repaired using an arthroscopic approach to insert a collagen patch into the carpo-metacarpal space...

Thursday Feb 26, 2009
Pfizer Stops Work on Esreboxetine for FM
Pfizer has stopped development of esreboxetine, which was in phase II trials for fibromyalgia...

Wednesday Feb 25, 2009
ACL Repairs Becoming More Common in Kids, Don't Shorten NFL Careers
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is becoming more common in school-age athletes and needs longer healing time than is sometimes allowed, but it need not jeopardize a professional sports career...

Wednesday Feb 25, 2009
Obesity “A Musculoskeletal Nightmare” for Joint Replacement
Obesity increases complication rates, and the super-obese should lose weight before having hip or knee replacement...

Friday Feb 20, 2009
Pain Doctors Aim to Cut Opioid Abuse, Side Effects
A new guideline issued by the American Pain Society (APS) and the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) aims to reduce opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion, and to minimize side effects among patients taking opioids for with chronic non-cancer pain...

Wednesday Feb 18, 2009
Ustekinumab Reduces Psoriatic Arthritis Pain, Clears Lesions
Ustekinumab (CNTO 1275), a new monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 (IL-23), may help thwart the pain, swelling and lesions of psoriatic arthritis...

Tuesday Feb 17, 2009
Exercise Rx’s for Neck, Back Pain Underused
Less than 50% of chronic back and neck pain patients receive exercise prescriptions despite the proven effectiveness of exercise in treating such pain...

Tuesday Feb 17, 2009
Some TNF Inhibitors Raise Shingles Risk in RA. Time to Vaccinate?
Anti-TNF monoclonal antibody drugs (adalimumab, infliximab) significantly increase herpes zoster risk in RA patients, and vaccination should be considered. Etanercept was not associated with increased herpes zoster risk...

Monday Feb 16, 2009
FDA Gives Nod to Uloric^® (febuxostat), First New Gout Treatment in 40 Years
The US FDA approved 40 mg and 80 mg doses of Takeda Pharmaceutical's febuxostat (Uloric) for the chronic management of hyperuricemia in patients with gout...

Thursday Feb 12, 2009
Strength Training Bests Conventional Rehab After Knee Replacement
A progressive quadriceps strengthening program may help total knee arthroplasty patients approach the functional level seen among healthy peers...

Monday Feb 09, 2009
Scans for Back Pain Ineffective
Imaging scans are largely ineffective at locating the source of low back pain, and may do more harm than good…

Thursday Feb 05, 2009
Low Back Pain Seldom Needs Surgery
Patients with discogenic low back pain can be advised to get out of bed, get some exercise, and assume that they will not need surgery...

Tuesday Feb 03, 2009
Lilly to Pursue OA Pain Indication for Cymbalta
Will OA join depression and fibromyalgia as Cymbalta indications?...

Monday Feb 02, 2009
Rituximab B-Cell Depletion Stops JIA
Systemic onset JIA responded dramatically to B-cell depletion with rituximab...

Friday Jan 23, 2009
Shoulder Pain Imaging: Arthrography Not Always Needed
Arthrography adds important information to 3-T conventional MRI only in a subset of shoulder pain cases...

Thursday Jan 22, 2009
Rheumatoid Arthritis Hits Women Harder
Women are more likely than men to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and experience the disease more severely...

Tuesday Jan 20, 2009
Tricyclic Antidepressants Best for Fibromylagia
Some antidepressants can dramatically improve fibromyalgia symptoms...

Friday Jan 16, 2009
FDA Backs Savella for Fibromyalgia
FDA has approved Cypress Bioscience's Savella for fibromyalgia pain, function, and well-being...

Wednesday Jan 14, 2009
Wrist MRI Lets Many Avoid Arthroscopy
3-T MRI of the wrist effectively detects wrist ligament tears and may help patients avoid unnecessary surgery...

Tuesday Jan 13, 2009
Pilates Favorite: Multifidus Emerges As Key Muscle for Preventing Back Pain
The little multifidus muscle, beloved of Pilates exercise instructors but largely ignored in other settings, turns out to be key to spinal stability...

Monday Jan 12, 2009
Do FDA Statin Ad Rules Make Patients Fear Myopathy?
Statins cause no more muscle problems than placebo, so why do so many patients (and some physicians) worry?...

Wednesday Jan 07, 2009
Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to Jaw Trouble
People taking oral osteoporosis drugs may have a higher risk of developing jaw trouble than previously thought...

Tuesday Jan 06, 2009
Forget Knee OA Glucosamine, Orthotics—Lose Weight, AAOS Says
New knee arthritis guidelines from the premier American orthopaedics society say that glucosamine and/or chondroitin, custom-made shoe foot orthotics, and needle lavage are basically useless for the treatment of knee OA, but losing weight helps...

Thursday Dec 11, 2008
One-Shot Synvisc Gets FDA Panel OK
An FDA advisory panel has unanimously recommended approval of Genzyme's Synvisc-One™ single-dose hyalin for knee OA pain...

Wednesday Dec 10, 2008
US-Guided Synvisc, Steroids Ease Inoperable Shoulders
Ultrasound-guided hyaluronic acid and steroid offer an alternative for inoperable shoulder impingement syndrome and arthrosynovitis...

Monday Dec 08, 2008
Say Goodbye to Plantar Fasciitis After 15-Minute Treatment
Combining an ultrasound-guided dry needling technique with steroid injection is 95% effective at relieving plantar fasciitis within 3 weeks...

Thursday Dec 04, 2008
RA Improving Due to Better Management, Not New Drugs
Better monitoring and more aggressive use of old drugs, especially methotrexate, have contributed more to recent improvements in RA outcomes in Spain than the arrival of new drugs such as TNF inhibitors...

Monday Nov 24, 2008
New OA Topicals Ease Pain, Protect Stomach
New topical NSAID formulations relieve OA pain without the GI problems associated with oral NSAIDs...

Tuesday Nov 18, 2008
Phosphagenics’ Transdermal Diclofenac Enters Phase I Clinical Trial
The trial will compare the bioavailability and penetration of the topically applied Voltaren^® gel (1% diclofenac sodium topical gel, Novartis), and Phosphagenics’ TPM/diclofenac (at 1% and 2% diclofenac concentrations) for the targeted delivery of the NSAID diclofenac...

Monday Nov 17, 2008
Vitamin D Levels Linked to OA Cartilage Loss, OA Pain, and SSc Disease Activity by ACR Researchers
Low vitamin D levels are associated with faster progression of joint damage, bone loss, and pain in OA and with higher levels of inflammatory markers and vascular complications in systemic sclerosis, suggesting that more attention to vitamin D supplements might be in order...

Friday Nov 14, 2008
Salix's APRISO™ Granted FDA Marketing Approval for Maintenance of Remission of Ulcerative Colitis
Apriso is a locally-acting aminosalicylate (5-ASA) and is the first and only mesalamine product approved by the FDA for once-a-day dosing for the maintenance of remission of UC in adults...

Wednesday Nov 12, 2008
Novartis’ ACZ885 Phase III Data Show Rapid, Sustained Clinical Remission in Children and Adults with CAPS, a Group of Rare, Potentially Life-Threatening Autoinflammatory Diseases
Novartis also announced that preliminary results of a phase I/II study in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis showed that most patients treated with ACZ885 achieved substantial clinical improvement within 15 days...

Monday Nov 10, 2008
RA Patients Know Less About Treatment Than Doctors Assume
Rheumatoid arthritis  (RA) patients may not be as well-versed on drug treatments as their health care providers think that they are…

Monday Nov 10, 2008
Lilly Reports European CHMP Adopts Negative Opinion on Cymbalta^® for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia
The European CHMP has adopted a negative opinion on a Cymbalta^® (duloxetine hydrochloride) application for the treatment of fibromyalgia, recommending the refusal of a change to the marketing authorization for Cymbalta/Xeristar 30 mg and 60 mg gastroresistant capsules...

Friday Nov 07, 2008
Studies Confirm, Extend Uses of MRI in Spondyloarthropathies
Severe romanus lesions in patients with back pain who are younger than 51 are very specific for spondyloarthropathy, and an MRI of just the sacroiliac joint is generally enough to diagnose nonradiographic axial SpA, regardless of the location of the back pain...

Monday Nov 03, 2008
Tanezumab Reduces Moderate-Severe OA Pain in Phase II Trial
The nerve-growth-factor blocker tanezumab given once every 8 weeks significantly reduced knee OA pain in a phase 2 trial...

Friday Oct 31, 2008
Overnight Femoral Nerve Block As Good As 4-Day Block for Knee Replacement Pain
An overnight femoral nerve block improves function as well as a 4-day continuous femoral nerve block following total knee arthroplasty, although the continuous femoral nerve block may offer other advantages…

Wednesday Oct 29, 2008
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rising in Women
The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis among women fell during the second half of the 20th century, but is now on the rise in the US…

Tuesday Oct 28, 2008
Rheumatology Experts Say Stopping Smoking May Cut RA Pain, Disease Activity
Researchers at two major medical meetings are highlighting the role smoking plays in chronic pain and disease activity in RA...

Monday Oct 27, 2008
Tai Chi Rx for Knee OA
Tai chi may help treat pain and physical impairment among patients with severe knee osteoarthritis…

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…

Thursday Oct 23, 2008
Pain Experts Clear Strength Training for Fibromyalgia
Strength training should have a role in the care and treatment of patients with fibromyalgia…

Tuesday Oct 21, 2008
Cutting Better Than Splinting for Carpal Tunnel Pain, Numbness, Weakness
A Cochrane review concludes that surgery is better than splinting for relieving the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and that a head-to-head comparison of surgery versus steroid injections is needed...

Thursday Oct 16, 2008
Novartis Reports Once-Yearly Aclasta^® Approved in EU to Treat Osteoporosis in Men; Label to Include Reduction of New Fractures Following Hip Fracture in Men and Postmenopausal Women
The European Commission followed the US FDA in approving once-yearly Aclasta for the treatment of osteoporosis in men who are at increased risk of fractures, and has broadened the drug’s label to include reduction of new fractures in men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who have recently suffered a hip fracture...

Wednesday Oct 15, 2008
Regular NSAID Use Also May Stave Off Breast Cancer
Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk of breast cancer…

Tuesday Oct 14, 2008
Antipsychotics for Acute and Chronic Pain in Adults
Antipsychotics may be useful as an add-on therapy for the treatment of chronic and acute pain, but potential side effects should be taken into consideration before prescribing...

Monday Oct 13, 2008
Unclear How Much Pounding New Hips, Knees Can Take
1 in 75 knee or hip replacement patients must have their artificial joint replaced within 3 years of their first surgery...

Thursday Oct 09, 2008
Rheumatologists Usually on Target With Intra-Articular Injections, Even Without Ultrasound
New research shows that blind intra-articular injections (IAIs) in rheumatoid arthritis patients, done without ultrasound guidance, are accurate when performed by a trained rheumatologist. Blind injections into the ankle are the most unreliable, at 77% accuracy...

Tuesday Oct 07, 2008
Open Experience With a New Myorelaxant Agent for Low Back Pain
Eperisone hydrochloride may be an effective and safe alternative to traditional analgesics and muscle relaxants for the treatment of chronic low back pain…

Tuesday Oct 07, 2008
Discovery Of New Genes Linked To Gout
Two new genes have been identified and associated with increased risk of elevated uric acid levels in the blood, which can lead to gout…

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 Oct 03, 2008
Distress, Chronic Pain Problems More Common in Mothers of Adolescents With Fibromyalgia
Families of adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome have increased prevalence of distress and chronic pain, and are likely to have poorer family functioning and more conflicted family relationships...

Wednesday Oct 01, 2008
Glucosamine/Chondroitin Stumbles Again in GAIT II Study of Knee OA Progression
2-year data from the GAIT trial show no significant effect of glucosamine with or without chondroitin sulfate on progression of joint damage...

Wednesday Sep 24, 2008
Alpharma Announces Positive Results From Pivotal Phase III Efficacy Trial of ALO-01 (Embeda™) Capsules for Pain Relief in Patients With OA
If approved by the US FDA, ALO-01 would be the first opioid medicine to provide a pharmacologic abuse-deterrent feature while effectively treating patients with chronic pain...

Tuesday Sep 23, 2008
Out of Joint
A unique application of MRI technology may be able to provide a non-invasive early diagnosis of osteoarthritis...

Wednesday Sep 17, 2008
Experts Warn the Meniscal Damage Seen on MRI Should Not Drive Knee Surgery Decisions in Middle-Aged, Elderly Persons
Most middle-aged and elderly persons who have meniscal damage that can be seen on MRI have asymptomatic knees, and even in those with symptoms, the pain might not be related to the meniscus...

Monday Sep 15, 2008
ACR REF Clinical and Translational Research Grants Target Better Ways to Monitor Response to Arthritis Care, Genetics, Heart and Bone Health in RA Patients
Six major grants from the ACR Research and Education Foundation show the growing importance of finding better ways to monitor response to (often expensive) RA care, decoding the genetic underpinnings of arthritis, and protecting arthritis patients’ hearts and bones in long-term care...

Thursday Sep 11, 2008
Almost Half of Adults Will Develop Knee Osteoarthritis by 85
Men and women who are obese during middle age are at the greatest risk for this painful condition…

Thursday Sep 11, 2008
Total Ankle Replacements are Coming Into their Own—Finally
Total ankle replacements are expected to soon rival hip and knee replacements in design, function, and durability. Airbags and seatbelts contribute to growing demand…

Wednesday Sep 10, 2008
Arcalyst^® (rilonacept) Reduced Gout Flares by 81% in a Phase II Study Initiating Urate-Lowering Therapy
Based upon these results, a phase III clinical development program will be initiated early in 2009 with Arcalyst in the prevention of gout flares in patients initiating urate-lowering drug therapy...

Thursday Sep 04, 2008
Omeros Enters Into Agreement With Affitech for Anti-inflammatory Therapeutics, Awaits Phase III Clinical Trial Results for Agent
Omeros Corp and Affitech AS have entered into an agreement for the discovery and development of fully human antibodies for Omeros’ MASP-2, which mediates activation of the complement system via the lectin pathway...

Tuesday Sep 02, 2008
Naproxcinod Moves Ahead in Pivotal Phase III Study in Osteoarthritis
The next generation of COX inhibitors is likely to include the nitric oxide-donating CINODs, the first of which (naproxcinod) is in phase III trials...

Tuesday Sep 02, 2008
Logical Therapeutics Reports Positive Results from Phase Ib Clinical Study of Naproxen Prodrug; Dosing Well-Tolerated and Plasma Concentrations Achieve Therapeutic Range
In the phase Ib study twice-daily dosing with LT-NS001 for 7 days resulted in plasma concentrations of naproxen within the therapeutic range, with no serious adverse events reported...

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...

Tuesday Aug 26, 2008
Review Discourages Use of Amitriptyline in Fibromyalgia, but May Not Be the Last Word
A review of studies of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline (Elavil) for fibromyalgia was generally discouraging, but questions have been raised about the quality of studies included…

Tuesday Aug 26, 2008
After Fits and Starts, New Hope for Psoriasis Patients
Psoriasis patients are finally finding some relief with a new wave of drug treatments known as biologics…

Monday Aug 25, 2008
Emisphere Reports Full Recruitment of Study Evaluating Eligen^® Technology and Salmon Calcitonin on Vertebral Fractures in Postmenopausal Women
Emisphere Technologies announced that recruitment is finished for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of oral salmon calcitonin in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women taking calcium and vitamin D...

Friday Aug 22, 2008
While Olympians Chase Medals, Chicken Collagen Advances as RA Immunotherapy
Inducing oral tolerance with chicken type II collagen (CCII) may help alleviate the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with fewer side effects than methotrexate (MTX), Chinese researchers say…

Tuesday Aug 19, 2008
A Quirky Athletic Tape Gets Its Olympic Moment
Kinesio athletic tape has played a prominent role at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, with many athletes swearing by its ability to relieve pain and promote healing of injured muscles...

Monday Aug 18, 2008
Power Doppler Ultrasound Measures Response to TNF-blockers in RA
Power doppler ultrasonographic monitoring may help measure response to TNF-blockers as well as predict X-ray progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients…

Thursday Aug 07, 2008
Heart Risks Rise With Revision or Bilateral Joint Arthroplasty
Patients who undergo revision or bilateral joint arthroplasty are at significantly higher increased risk for heart attack or heart failure than patients who undergo their first replacement of a single knee or hip…

Thursday Aug 07, 2008
Doctors Seeing More Arthritis In Active Boomers
Early treatment can prevent long-term pain in active baby boomers that are now beginning to suffer from painful arthritis…

Tuesday Aug 05, 2008
Frankincense Extract Safe, Effective in OA
An enriched extract of frankincense reduced pain and improved physical functioning in people with osteoarthritis (OA) in just 7 days…

Friday Aug 01, 2008
Tiny Mitochondria May Have Big Role in OA
Mitochondrial dysfunction appears to play a major role in knee OA, and mitochondrial DNA haplotypes partly determine whether OA will develop and its severity...

Thursday Jul 31, 2008
Antidepressants Pass Analgesic Muster for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Back Pain
Antidepressants can relieve the pain associated with some rheumatic conditions including fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain, but they may not have such pain-killing effects in other related diseases…

Thursday Jul 31, 2008
Altered Intestinal Permeability in Patients with Primary Fibromyalgia or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Researchers discovered that intestinal permeability may be increased in both fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)  patients, which can lead to immune modulation…

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 18, 2008
Even Really Old Joints Benefit From Replacement in Osteoarthritis
Patients ≥75 do as well as those 65 to 74 after joint replacement for severe hip or knee OA...

Thursday Jul 17, 2008
Drugs to Build Bones May Weaken Them
A small group of people taking bisphosphonates for 5 or more years to treat osteoporosis have had their bones weakened by the drugs that are intended to promote better bone health…

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…

Thursday Jul 10, 2008
A List of Drugs That Increase Falling Risk
Many common prescription seizure medications, painkillers, and antidepressants may elevate the risk of falling among older patients...

Tuesday Jul 08, 2008
Rheumatologists Can Expect to See More HIV-Related Joint Problems as Mortality Drops
Mortality in HIV-infected patients has dropped comparable with general population levels, especially in those who begin highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) early, and one result is that rheumatologists can expect to see more long-term HIV survivors with joint problems related to the underlying HIV, treatment, or aging...

Monday Jul 07, 2008
UCB’s Cimzia^® Filed With EMEA for Treatment of RA: if Approved, Would be First and Only PEGylated, Fc-Free Anti-TNFα Biologic
UCB has submitted an MMA for approval of Cimzia^® (certolizumab pegol) as a subcutaneous treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis...

Tuesday Jul 01, 2008
Fibromyalgia and Cognition
Some fibromyalgia patients suffer from cognitive problems that mimic roughly 20 years of aging…

Monday Jun 30, 2008
Preclinical Studies Show that IGF-1-Producing Adult Stem Cells Zoom to Fracture Site, Speed Healing
Preclinical data reported at the 2008 ENDO meeting show that adult stem cell injections might be one approach to treating nonhealing osteoporotic fractures...

Thursday Jun 19, 2008
Baminercept shows good safety, substantial activity against RA in phase II data reported at EULAR
Baminercept alfa, a novel lymphotoxin β-receptor blocker, showed promising safety and efficacy in phase II data reported at EULAR...

Thursday Jun 19, 2008
Stem Cells Might Treat Tough Fractures
Adult stem cells may be the key to healing broken bones that fail to mend properly on their own…

Wednesday Jun 18, 2008
Anti-TNF Gene Therapy Appears Safe, May Reduce Pain, Swelling in RA Joints
Researchers report that transferring a TNF-antagonist gene into the joint is safe, may reduce pain and swelling in patients with inflammatory arthritis...

Tuesday Jun 17, 2008
At 1 Year, Balloon Kyphoplasty Provides Better Pain, Function Outcomes Than Nonsurgical Care for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
After 12 months, patients with acute vertebral compression fractures treated with balloon kyphoplasty had sustained improvements in pain and function compared with those who received nonsurgical care...

Tuesday Jun 17, 2008
Cymbalta^® Approved for Fibromyalgia
The antidepressant Cymbalta^® (duloxetine) has been approved by the US FDA to treat fibromyalgia…

Tuesday Jun 17, 2008
Fibromyalgia Among Major Depression Disorder Females Compared to Males
Depression is associated with fibromyalgia among female patients, but not males…

Monday Jun 16, 2008
Phase III Data Show Golimumab Efficacy in MTX-Resistant, TNF-Pretreated, Untreated RA
Data from the phase III GO-FORWARD and GO-BEFORE studies show that subcutaneous golimumab improves symptoms, function in RA patients after MTX, anti-TNF failure...

Friday Jun 13, 2008
60-Week Safety Data Reassuring for Duloxetine in Fibromyalgia
Duloxetine is safe and tolerable for long-term use in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM)...

Thursday Jun 12, 2008
Sound, Pressure Show General CNS Sensory Changes in FM
FM patients have a general CNS augmentation of sensory information, not just abnormal pain processing...

Tuesday Jun 10, 2008
Novartis’ Once-Yearly Reclast^® Injection 5 mg Receives Revised US Label; Indication to Include Prevention of Fractures After a Hip Fracture
The FDA has broadened the indication for once-yearly Reclast^® (zoledronic acid) for postmenopausal osteoporosis to include the prevention of new clinical fractures in patients who have recently had a low-trauma hip fracture...

Monday Jun 09, 2008
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Completes Enrollment in First of Two Phase III Clinical Trials of Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem^®) to Treat FMS
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, announced completion of enrollment in the first of two phase III pivotal clinical trials of JZP-6 (sodium oxybate, Xyrem^®) for the treatment of fibromyalgia...

Thursday Jun 05, 2008
Less Osteoporosis Care, More Hip Fractures Seen in Europe vs Other Countries
European doctors are less likely to screen for or treat osteoporosis, and hip fracture rates in Europe are higher than in North America or Australia, according to baseline data from the ongoing Global Longitudinal registry of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW)…

Wednesday Jun 04, 2008
Case Series Adds Support for Routine PET in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Routine PET might be a useful option in patients with steroid-resistant polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)...

Tuesday Jun 03, 2008
3 Years Later, Knees Made for Dancing
Patients need to be better educated and given greater support before and after total knee replacement surgery…

Monday Jun 02, 2008
Targeted Genetics Reports Positive Interim Findings From Inflammatory Arthritis Phase I/II Trial of tgAAC94; Demonstrates Safety and Preliminary Efficacy, Supports Further Clinical Development
Targeted Genetics Corp's study is designed to assess the safety and potential effect of multiple doses of tgAAC94 administered directly to affected joints of inflammatory arthritis subjects with or without concurrent use of systemic TNF antagonist therapies...

Tuesday May 27, 2008
Obese Patients at Greater Infection Risk After Hip Replacement
Patients with a BMI of 35 or higher are over 10 times more likely to suffer complications following revision hip replacement surgery...

Friday May 23, 2008
Iatrogenic Problems Reported in Low Back Pain, Osteoporosis Patients at AACE Meeting
Cases of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome (CS) from intra-articular triamcinolone and iatrogenic hypercalcemia from combined teriparatide-hydrochlorothiazide were reported at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 2008 meeting...

Thursday May 22, 2008
Bone Pain Can Be a Sign of Myeloma
Patients who report bone pain should be checked for myeloma, a treatable form of bone marrow cancer

Wednesday May 21, 2008
Amgen’s 2nd Phase III Denosumab Osteoporosis Study Meets Primary, Secondary BMD Endpoints in Alendronate Transition Study; Transition Patients Achieved Superior Gains in BMD
Amgen's trial comparing the effects of denosumab vs continued alendronate therapy on bone mineral density demonstrated superior results for primary and all secondary endpoints...

Monday May 19, 2008
AACE Experts Warn of Vitamin D Problems in Vegans, Urge Routine Monitoring in Osteoporosis Patients
Vitamin D deficiency research reported at the 2008 American Association for Clinical Endocrinology meetings included a warning about vegan diets, evidence that osteoporosis patients in treatment are still not getting enough vitamin D, and evidence that even a hip fracture does not lead to adequate vitamin D therapy...

Thursday May 15, 2008
Chronic Widespread Musculoskeletal Pain: A Comparison of Those Who Meet Criteria for Fibromyalgia and Those Who Do Not
Fibromyalgia patients reported more severe symptoms and consequences on their daily life than patients suffering from chronic pain without widespread allodynia…

Wednesday May 14, 2008
8-Year Data Confirm Etanercept Safety, Efficacy in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Long-term open-label data show that etanercept (Enbrel^®) is safe and effective over 8 years of continuous treatment of children with JRA...

Tuesday May 13, 2008
More than Half of US Diabetics Have Arthritis
Arthritis afflicts more than half of diabetes patients in the US, making exercise difficult…

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...

Thursday May 08, 2008
More Evidence that Walking Barefoot is Better for Arthritic Knees Than Wearing Shoes
Shoes increase stress on knee joints compared with walking barefoot and might contribute to progression of osteoarthritis...

Wednesday May 07, 2008
Patient Reported Outcomes and Analgesia Use in Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Research suggests that pain is not the primary determinant for use of non-opioid analgesics by osteoarthritis patients…

Tuesday May 06, 2008
Younger People Getting Joint Replacements to Restore Active Lifestyles
A better understanding of joint mechanisms and new technologies allow younger adults to relieve pain with joint replacements…

Thursday May 01, 2008
Are Rheumatologists Bugging Out Over New RA Treatment?
New research shows that a particular species of Chinese medicinal ant known as Polyrhachis lamellidens may help fight rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis…

Wednesday Apr 30, 2008
Grim Picture Painted for Lupus 5-Year Mortality Risk
Despite some advances in treatment, recently diagnosed lupus patients still face elevated risks of death within 5 years of their diagnosis when compared with lupus-free controls…

Tuesday Apr 29, 2008
Women Risk Bone Loss After Knee Surgery
Women who underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered significant bone loss surrounding the knee…

Thursday Apr 24, 2008
UCB’s Cimzia^® Approved in the US for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Crohn's Disease; Dosed Subcutaneously Every 4 Weeks 
The US FDA has approved Cimzia^® (certolizumab pegol), indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease and maintaining clinical response in adult patients with moderate-to-severe active disease who have an inadequate response to conventional therapy... 

Thursday Apr 24, 2008
Nothing Fishy: Fish Oil Supplement Reduces NSAID Need in RA
Rheumatoid arthritis patients who take fish oil supplements can slash their need for NSAIDs…

Thursday Apr 24, 2008
Pain as an Art Form
Frustrated by the inadequacy of words, chronic pain sufferers often turn to art to illustrate the pain they feel…

Thursday Apr 24, 2008
S. pyogenes-Linked New-Onset Childhood Arthritis Differs in Severity, Duration, from Other Types
Up to 35% of children with new-onset arthritis test positive for S. pyogenes and have a different disease course than children with other forms of inflammatory arthritis; they do not need routine cardiology follow-up, according to a population-based study...

Tuesday Apr 22, 2008
Pain Management in Fibromyalgia
New treatments targeting central pain mechanisms may benefit patients suffering from chronic pain…

Friday Apr 18, 2008
Novartis Announces Once-Yearly Reclast Better Than Risedronate at Increasing BMD in GIO Patients; US FDA Approval Sought for Treatment and Prevention of GIO
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp reported that a once-yearly infusion of Reclast^® (zoledronic acid) injection 5 mg was significantly better than risedronate at increasing BMD in patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis...

Wednesday Apr 16, 2008
Lilly’s Forsteo^® Receives Approval From European Commission for the Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
Eli Lilly and Co announced that the European Commission has approved a new indication for Forsteo^® (teriparatide [rDNA origin] injection) for the treatment of sustained, systemic glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in adults at increased risk for fracture...

Tuesday Apr 15, 2008
Pain-Fatigue Link May Explain Why FM, CFS Are More Prevalent in Women
A biological link between pain and fatigue may help explain why more women than men are diagnosed with chronic pain and fatigue conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome...

Tuesday Apr 15, 2008
Novartis Says Aclasta Better at Boosting Bone Mass
Novartis reported study results indicating a once-yearly infusion of Aclasta is more effective than risedronate at increasing bone mass in patients taking steroids...

Monday Apr 14, 2008
Twin Spine Study Shows Genes, Not Injuries Cause Most Disc Problems
Researchers with the Twin Spine Study show that most degenerative back problems are linked to genes, not to aging, injuries, lifting, or driving. They also identified several genes involved...

Friday Apr 11, 2008
Surprise Findings Suggest OTC Painkillers Help Build Muscle Mass During Weight Training
Taking daily recommended doses of ibuprofen or acetaminophen might boost muscle mass and strength…

Wednesday Apr 09, 2008
TMJ in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis May Require MRI for Diagnosis, But it Can Heal
TMJ damage in children with JIA can resolve with actual healing of the damaged condyles once the underlying disease is controlled, but MRI might be required to diagnosis the jaw disorder...

Wednesday Apr 09, 2008
Amgen Phase III Data Show Denosumab, an Inhibitor of RANK Ligand, Increased Bone Density at Multiple Skeletal Sites in Early and Later Stage Postmenopausal Women
Amgen announced results from its study in women with early and late stage postmenopausal osteoporosis that show twice-yearly subcutaneous injections of denosumab increased bone mineral density (BMD) at all sites measured...

Tuesday Apr 08, 2008
Does Physical Therapy Still Have a Place in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Researchers believe that pharmacological advancements in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis do not replace traditional physical therapy programs…

Tuesday Apr 01, 2008
Targeted Genetics Announces Completion of Dosing for Phase I/II Clinical Trial of tgAAC94 for Inflammatory Arthritis
Dosing has been completed for Targeted Genetic's phase I/II clinical trial of tgAAC94 administered directly to affected joints of subjects with inflammatory arthritis to reduce inflammation and to avoid the potential for systemic side effects...

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)...

Tuesday Mar 25, 2008
Diagnosis Delay in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Researchers have established new diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis in an effort to minimize the diagnosis delay in AS...

Thursday Mar 20, 2008
Pain Relief for Osteoporosis Patients With Fractures
Vertobroplasty provides significant pain relief for osteoporosis patients with spinal fractures…

Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
Genzyme Reports That US Data From Large Outcome Studies of Carticel^® Support Long-Term Clinical Duration; Prior Marrow Stimulation Techniques May Compromise Treatment With Carticel
Genzyme announced that almost 90% of patients treated with Carticel who experienced improvement in knee function at an early follow-up, sustained their improvement for almost 10 years...

Tuesday Mar 18, 2008
'Boot Camps' Treat Pain Sufferers
An intensive 4-week program works to alleviate chronic pain through biological, psychological, and social approaches…

Wednesday Mar 12, 2008
Radial Shock Wave Therapy Relieves Heel Pain, but Cartilage Safety From Procedure is Questioned at AAOS
Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) looks promising for relieving chronic heel pain, but animal studies have raised questions about the cartilage safety from the procedure...

Wednesday Mar 12, 2008
Docs Seen as Clueless About What’s Afoot in RA
About 10% of RA patients develop some type of potentially debilitating foot ulceration, but management approaches are lagging behind…

Tuesday Mar 11, 2008
AAOS Researchers Warn of Alendronate Fracture Risk
Two studies reported at the AAOS meeting warned of a possible increase in risk of low-energy or stress fractures associated with long-term use of alendronate...

Tuesday Mar 11, 2008
Gender Bias at Play in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Men are more likely than women to be recommended for total knee replacement surgery…

Monday Mar 10, 2008
AAOS Debates Gender-Specific Joint Implants
Joint replacement experts say implant should fit body, not gender...

Friday Mar 07, 2008
UCB Reports That Early Data on Cimzia^® From WELCOME Study Demonstrate Efficacy in Infliximab-Refractory Crohn's Patients
UCB announced that initial 6-week data from the WELCOME trial show that Cimzia^® (certolizumab pegol) is effective in Crohn's patients who are intolerant or who no longer respond to infliximab (INF)...

Friday Mar 07, 2008
Sports Doctors Urge for More Injury Prevention in Women Athletes
Sex matters in sports injuries, and more attention to special problems of women athletes is needed...

Monday Mar 03, 2008
Fibromyalgia Patients With CDIP May Benefit From IVIg Therapy
Fibromyalgia (FM) patients with evidence of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) may benefit from treatment with intravenous immunoglubulin...

Friday Feb 29, 2008
HLA-DRB1 Linked to Premature Cardiac Death in Some RA Patients
Patients with inflammatory polyarthritis (IP) who have the shared epitope (SE) alleles of the HLA-DRB1 gene are at increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may benefit from treatment to improve their CV profile...

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
Acceleron, Celgene to Collaborate on Anabolic Bone Agent ACE-011, a Decoy Activin Receptor, for Cancer-Related Bone Loss
Acceleron Pharma and Celgene Corp announced a worldwide strategic collaboration for the development and commercialization of ACE-011, a novel bone-forming compound for the treatment of cancer-related bone loss...

Tuesday Feb 26, 2008
Abbott Receives FDA Approval for Humira^® (Adalimumab) for Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; EOW Dosing
Abbott Laboratories announced it has received US FDA approval to market Humira^® (adalimumab) as a treatment to reduce signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis...

Monday Feb 25, 2008
Arthritis Patients Who Mix Prescription Drugs, OTC NSAIDs Report Lower Quality of Life
Mixing over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be putting some arthritis patients at risk, or may be a sign that current treatment is inadequate...

Friday Feb 22, 2008
EUSA Out-Licenses Preclinical Stage Human Anti-IL-6 Antibody to GSK for up to $44 Million Plus Royalties
EUSA Pharma Inc announced that it has out-licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to its preclinical-stage human anti-interleukin (IL)-6 antibody (OP-R003) to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)...

Thursday Feb 21, 2008
Women More Likely to Postpone New Knees
Women are waiting longer to undergo knee replacement surgery than men, and the delay may cause greater disability...

Thursday Feb 21, 2008
Glucosamine Misses GOAL in Hip OA Study
The first major trial of glucosamine sulfate in early hip OA found that it was no better than placebo at reducing pain, improving function, or slowing progression...

Wednesday Feb 20, 2008
Studies of OA, Back Pain Drugs Reported at AAPM Meeting
Extended-release analgesics get top billing at AAPM meeting...

Tuesday Feb 19, 2008
Duloxetine, Milnacipran Studies in Fibromyalgia Reported
Duloxetine (Lilly's Cymbalta®) and milnacipran (Cypress Bioscience's Ixel®) studies report promising but mixed results...

Tuesday Feb 19, 2008
Big-Time Injury Strikes Little Players
An increasing number of child and adolescent athletes are being diagnosed with torn ACLs...

Thursday Feb 14, 2008
Nearly All Back Pain Improves By 5 Years
A follow-up study of low back pain finds that >90% of patients report significant improvement within 5 years...

Tuesday Feb 12, 2008
Nabilone for the Treatment of Pain in Fibromyalgia
Nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, relieves pain and improves symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia...

Monday Feb 11, 2008
Chronic Pain Harms Brain's Wiring
Patients with chronic low back pain experience a constant firing of neurons in the front region of the cortex, which could cause permanent damage...

Thursday Feb 07, 2008
Supplement Shows Promise for Mild Knee Arthritis
A dietary supplement derived from chickens may relieve the pain in patients with mild knee arthritis...

Thursday Feb 07, 2008
Arthroscopic Debridement for Knee Osteoarthritis
Arthroscopic debridement does not appear to offer any benefit for osteoarthritis aggravated by mechanical or inflammatory causes...

Tuesday Feb 05, 2008
Cochrane Reviewers Find Little Evidence That Antidepressants Help Chronic Low Back Pain
A Cochrane Review found little evidence to support the common practice of prescribing antidepressants for patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain...

Friday Feb 01, 2008
SantoSolve Reports Topical Analgesic Phase II Study Met Primary Endpoint in Patients With Knee OA
SantoSolve AS announced positive results for 2PX, its topical analgesic formulated for subdermal pain treatment in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee...

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...

Thursday Jan 31, 2008
Financial Ties Are Cited as Issue in Spine Study
Many of the spine surgeons who hailed the Prodisc® as a medical breakthrough had a financial interest in the new product…

Monday Jan 28, 2008
Amgen Reports Denosumab Osteoporosis Study Met Primary and All Secondary BMD Endpoints in a Direct Comparison With Weekly Alendronate (Fosamax®)
Amgen Inc announced findings from a head-to-head, double-blind study comparing the effects of twice-yearly subcutaneous injections of denosumab versus weekly oral doses of alendronate in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density...

Thursday Jan 24, 2008
Bacterial Gastroenteritis Leads to Joint Pain That Seldom Needs Prescription Treatment
Patients who experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after a bacterial outbreak are more likely to report a diagnosis of arthritis in the ensuing 4 years, but they are not likely to report needing prescription drugs for their joint pain...

Thursday Jan 24, 2008
Characteristic Electron Microscopic Findings in the Skin of Patients With Fibromyalgia
The lower pain threshold of fibromyalgia patients may be caused by abnormal unmyelinated nerve fibers and associated Schwann cells...

Thursday Jan 24, 2008
NSAIDs No Better for Low Back Pain
Acetaminophen has been found to provide comparable relief to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for low back pain...

Friday Jan 18, 2008
Third Study Finds No Gain to Bracing Knee After ACL Reconstruction
Functional knee braces are widely used for patients returning to sports or other activity following ACL reconstruction, but a randomized, controlled trial found that the costly braces are no better than neoprene sleeves—and probably no better than not bracing at all...

Tuesday Jan 15, 2008
Anika Enrolls First Patient in US Clinical Study for Monoviscâ„¢ for Knee Joint Pain Relief; Expects Product Launch in Europe in First Half 2008 
Anika Therapeutics, Inc announced that it has enrolled the first patient in a multicenter pivotal study evaluating its single-injection osteoarthritis (OA) product, Monoviscâ„¢...

Tuesday Jan 15, 2008
Three More Cases of Significant Neutropenia Lead to Recommendation for Routine CBC Monitoring
Three more cases of significant neutropenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis patients treated with etanercept lead to a recommendation for regular monitoring of complete blood counts (CBC)...

Tuesday Jan 15, 2008
Evaluation of a Quantitative Scoring of Enthesitis in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Researchers assessed the validity of an enthesitis index calculated by algometric pressure pain threshold scoring...

Monday Jan 14, 2008
8-Week Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Improves Pain and Fatigue
The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, formerly called People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE), can safely get older, sedentary arthritis patients up off the couch, a new study shows...

Monday Jan 14, 2008
Drug Approved. Is Disease Real?
As Pfizer markets Lyrica® (pregabalin), the first approved medicine to treat fibromyalgia, doctors debate the legitimacy of the pain syndrome...

Friday Jan 11, 2008
Localized Strength Training Rx for Neck Pain
Strength training exercises focusing on the neck and shoulder muscles can help relieve chronic neck pain among female workers with trapezius myalgia...

Friday Jan 11, 2008
Earlier Knee Replacement Urged for Women With OA
Women wait until much later in the osteoarthritis disease process to have total knee arthroplasty, and this delay may be jeopardizing functional recovery...

Friday Jan 11, 2008
Judge Calls Celebrex® Evidence Unreliable
A New York state court has ruled that there is no reliable scientific evidence to prove that the pain medication Celebrex® causes heart attack and stroke…

Wednesday Jan 09, 2008
Personalized Exercise Prescriptions Warranted in RA
Individually-tailored exercise programs taking a patient's specific needs and abilities into account should become a standard part of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Such programs can help reverse joint damage and reduce cardiovascular risk factors in this population...

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...

Tuesday Jan 08, 2008
Pain Relief for Some, With an Odd Tradeoff
A new device implanted near the spine offers relief for some chronic pain sufferers...

Thursday Jan 03, 2008
Forest, Cypress Submit New Drug Application for Milnacipran for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Forest Laboratories, Inc and Cypress Bioscience, Inc announced that they have submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the US FDA for milnacipran, a unique dual-reuptake inhibitor being developed for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)...

Wednesday Jan 02, 2008
Experts Question Use of TNF Blockers for Sciatica Caused by Disc Herniation
The jury is still out on whether TNF-blockers have a role in treating sciatica induced by disc herniation...

Thursday Dec 20, 2007
OARSI Researchers Further Refine Matrix-Associated Cartilage Repair Techniques
Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation continues to improve as a way of repairing arthritis knees, and MRI can be used to check the quality of the repaired tissue...

Wednesday Dec 19, 2007
Synovitis, Effusion, Bone Marrow Lesions Tagged As Modifiable Factors in Knee Pain
Knee pain fluctuation correlates with changes in several modifiable MRI features: synovitis, effusion, and bone marrow lesions...

Monday Dec 17, 2007
Pain in Knees with Meniscal Damage is Due to OA
Knee pain in middle-aged and older adults who have meniscal damage is due to the  osteoarthritis (OA) that often develops in such knees, not to pain from the torn meniscus...

Friday Dec 14, 2007
New Kid on the Block: Everolimus Looks Promising as Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
A "proof-of-concept" study shows that the immunosuppressant everolimus may be an effective addition to MTX for rheumatoid arthritis patients whose disease is only partly MTX-responsive...

Thursday Dec 13, 2007
MRI Bone Edema Shows Differences, Similarities in RA and OA
MRI bone edema predicts radiographic progression in RA and correlates with pain in OA...

Wednesday Dec 12, 2007
Ferring's Euflexxaâ„¢ (1% sodium hyaluronate) is Effective in Treating Knee OA and Reduces Pain that Interferes with ADLs; Shows Equal Effectiveness in Disease Stages Two and Three
Ferring Pharmaceuticals announced the results of two clinical studies on the efficacy of Euflexxaâ„¢, an intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA) for the relief of pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA)...

Tuesday Dec 11, 2007
Pain Therapeutics', King's Remoxyâ„¢ Meets Primary Endpoint in Pivotal Phase III Study in OA Patients with Chronic Pain; NDA Filing Expected in Mid-2008
Pain Therapeutics, Inc and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that a pivotal phase III study of Remoxyâ„¢, an abuse-deterrent version of long-acting oxycodone, in osteoarthritis patients with chronic pain met the primary endpoint that was prospectively defined by the US FDA during the Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) process...

Friday Dec 07, 2007
Pfizer, Adolor Enter Into Exclusive Worldwide Collaboration to Develop and Commercialize Delta Opioid Receptor Agonists to Treat Range of Inflammatory, Neuropathic, and Acute Pain

Pfizer Inc and Adolor Corp, a leader in the area of novel, opioid receptor-targeted therapeutics, announced an exclusive worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize delta opioid receptor agonist candidates, ADL5859 and ADL5747, for the treatment of pain...

Thursday Dec 06, 2007
 Drug Update: Rituximab
Repeat rituximab was notably effective in patients with DMARD-resistant RA, and the B-cell depleting agent is being tested in pediatric SLE and in Sjögren's syndrome...

Wednesday Dec 05, 2007
Drug Update: Infliximab
Researchers offer advice on reducing infliximab infusion times in RA, predicting who will respond, and what to expect in patients with ankylosing spondylitis...

Monday Dec 03, 2007
Low Vitamin D Linked to Knee OA Pain, Difficulty Walking
Vitamin D-deficient knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients are more likely to have higher levels of pain and three times more likely to report difficulty walking, compared with their counterparts with higher blood levels of this vitamin...

Thursday Nov 29, 2007
Osiris Announces Clinically and Statistically Significant 1-Year Data From Phase I/II Trial of Chondrogenâ„¢; OA Knee Patients Receive Single Injection of Adult Stem Cells Into Knee
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc, a leading stem cell therapeutic company, announced positive 1-year interim results in the evaluation of Chondrogenâ„¢, a preparation of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors and formulated for direct injection into the knee...

Wednesday Nov 28, 2007
Update on Joint Replacement
Total joint replacement has reduced pain and disability in elderly patients with arthritis. The procedure is cost-effective even for high-risk patients, but it is associated with higher risk for cardiac complications if both joints are replaced during the same procedure, and it might be chosen by more African-American patients if finances were less of an issue...

Wednesday Nov 21, 2007
Combining MTX or Other DMARD With Biologic Seen as Best Strategy for MTX-Resistant Rheumatoid Arthritis
A systematic review of head-to-head trials and prospective cohort studies found little difference among either conventional DMARDs or anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs used as monotherapy, but suggests that adding a conventional DMARD to a biologic may be the best strategy for MTX-resistant RA...

Wednesday Nov 21, 2007
Researchers "Shocked" at Enbrel's Efficacy in JRA
Etanercept (Enbrel®) is safe and effective in the long-term treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), according to new 8-year outcome data...

Tuesday Nov 20, 2007
Novartis Says Health Regulators in UK and Germany Suspend Marketing and Sale of Prexige® Pending Outcome of European Regulatory Review
Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG announced that health regulators in the UK and Germany have suspended the marketing and sale of Prexige® (lumiracoxib), a COX-2 inhibitor for patients with osteoarthritic pain, following a review of the drug's benefit/risk profile...

Tuesday Nov 13, 2007
Single Botulinum Toxin Injection Smooths Out OA Shoulder Pain

A single intra-articular injection of botulinum toxin type A relieved shoulder pain for a month in patients with refractory OA...

Tuesday Nov 13, 2007
Targeted Genetics Reports Positive Interim Phase I/II Results for tgAAC94 in Inflammatory Arthritis; Tests Indicate tgAAC94 Did Not Contribute to Immunosuppression Leading to Fatal SAE
Targeted Genetics Corp, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that interim data from its phase I/II trial of tgAAC94 for inflammatory arthritis suggest that the investigational therapy showed improvement in patient-reported outcome measures...

Tuesday Nov 13, 2007
Infliximab Adds Little to Combined DMARDs for Early RA--Unless You're Fat
Obesity halves an RA patient's chance of remission with conventional combination DMARD treatment, but adding infliximab can overcome this problem...

Friday Nov 09, 2007
Efalizumab Suspected of Triggering Arthritis in Subset of Psoriasis Patients
A small subset of patients treated with efalizumab for severe plaque psoriasis developed new-onset psoriatic arthritis...

Thursday Nov 08, 2007
Centocor, Schering-Plough's Anti-TNF Golimumab Significantly Reduced Signs and Symptoms of AS in Phase III Study; Monthly Treatment Yielded Marked Improvements in Physical Function
Centocor, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced that more than half of patients receiving monthly subcutaneous injections of golimumab 50 mg and 100 mg experienced significant and sustained improvements in the signs and symptoms of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to the phase III study (GO-RAISE trial) results...

Thursday Nov 08, 2007
Half of RA Patients Might Reach Remission With Early, Aggressive Use of Conventional DMARDs
If inflammatory arthritis is detected early and treated vigorously, remission is a possibility for 50% of patients...

Friday Nov 02, 2007
Strontium Ranelate May Slow Osteoarthritis Progression
The osteoporosis drug strontium ranelate (Protelos®) may stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and also might alleviate back pain...

Thursday Nov 01, 2007
Lilly Acquires TRPV1 Antagonist Portfolio Including Phase II Drug Candidate GRC 6211 From Glenmark for Treatment of Pain, Including Osteoarthritic Pain 
Eli Lilly and Co announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, under which Lilly will acquire the rights to a portfolio of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) antagonist molecules, including the clinical compound GRC 6211...

Wednesday Oct 31, 2007
Coley Initiates Phase I Study of First-in-Class TLR Antagonist, CPG 52364, for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 
Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc, an international biopharmaceutical company having a pipeline of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) therapeutic product candidates, announced that it has dosed its first subject in a phase I study of its novel, orally-available TLR Therapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)...

Tuesday Oct 30, 2007
Novartis' Voltaren® (diclofenac) Gel Receives FDA Approval as First Topical NSAID Prescription Treatment for OA Pain of the Knees and Hands 
Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG announced that Voltaren® Gel (diclofenac sodium topical gel) 1% has received US FDA regulatory approval as the first topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescription treatment for use in treating pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in joints amenable to topical treatment...

Monday Oct 29, 2007
Research Shows Why Fibromyalgia Patients Don't Find Relief From Opioids
Fibromyalgia patients have abnormal functioning in a brain receptor involved in response to opioids, which may explain why they may not receive pain relief from narcotics or may require unusually high doses...

Thursday Oct 25, 2007
Prostate Cancer Doubles Fracture Risk
Men with prostate cancer treated with orchidectomy or androgen deprivation are at increased risk for fractures, particularly of the hip, and should have bone density evaluated regularly...

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...

Wednesday Oct 17, 2007
Acupuncture Cuts Postop Pain, Opioid Use
Acupuncture should be considered an option for postop pain control among patients after orthopaedic surgery...

Wednesday Oct 17, 2007
Horizon Initiates Long-Term Phase III Safety Study for GI-friendly NSAID, HZT-501
Horizon Therapeutics, Inc, a privately-held, late-stage biopharmaceutical company, has initiated a phase III follow-on safety study (HZ-CA-304) of its lead product candidate HZT-501, an investigational prescription NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) designed to be "GI-friendly"...

Tuesday Oct 16, 2007
Prolonged IV Antibiotics Produce No Lasting Benefit in Post-Lyme Cognitive Problems
The fourth randomized clinical trial to test prolonged antibiotic therapy in patients previously treated for Lyme disease confirms the lack of lasting improvement in cognitive function reported in the early studies...

Monday Oct 15, 2007
Enlarging Bone Marrow Lesions Add to Knee Pain

Research shows that new onset knee pain was strongly linked with an increase of two or more units in bone marrow lesions...

Friday Oct 12, 2007
Novartis' Aclasta® Receives EU Approval as First Once-Yearly Treatment for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG announced that Aclasta® (zoledronic acid 5 mg) has received EU approval as the first once-yearly treatment for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis...

Thursday Oct 11, 2007
Review Rejects "Chronic Lyme Disease" Diagnosis, Extended IV Antibiotics
A major review challenges "chronic Lyme disease" as a valid diagnosis and warns against extended use of IV antibiotics...

Thursday Oct 11, 2007
IL-1ra Gene Therapy Stops Intervertebral Disc Degradation, Explant Study Shows
An in vitro study shows that IL-1 receptor antagonist delivered either directly or by gene therapy can inhibit matrix degradation in human intervertebral disc...

Friday Oct 05, 2007
Future Looks Bright for Sjögren's Syndrome Patients
B- and T-cell targeted therapies as well as other biologic drugs may change the way primary Sjögren's syndrome is treated in the future...

Thursday Oct 04, 2007
New Low Back Pain Guidelines Discourage Routine Imaging or Rest for Most Patients
New clinical guidelines for low back pain (LBP) discourage routine imaging in nonspecific LBP, set criteria for diagnostic imaging including MRI, recommend NSAIDs or acetaminophin as first-line drugs, urge the addition of nondrug therapy in difficult cases, and tell physicians to keep patients moving...

Wednesday Oct 03, 2007
Media Miss Point of Acupuncture Back Pain Study

Superficial needling at nonacupuncture points is as good as true acupuncture for relieving chronic low back pain and both are better than conventional therapy, raising the possibility that a "superplacebo effect" accounts for the benefits associated with acupuncture in previous studies...

Wednesday Oct 03, 2007
First Case Reported of Lupus Erythematosus Tumidus Induced by Sex Reassignment Surgery
Environmental triggers contribute to lupus pathogenesis, and the hormone regimens used in male-to-female sex reassignment can induce lupus-like symptoms...

Monday Oct 01, 2007
Novartis' COX-2 Inhibitor Prexige® Deemed "Not Approvable" by US FDA; Discussions with FDA to Continue 
Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG announced that it has received a "not approvable" letter from the US FDA for its COX-2 inhibitor Prexige® (lumiracoxib) as a once-daily treatment for patients suffering from pain due to osteoarthritis...

Thursday Sep 27, 2007
Panel Issues New Guidelines for Use of Imaging in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Although standard X-rays are essential for diagnosis and MRI may help diagnose early cases before radiographic damage develops,  no form of imaging is yet useful for monitoring response to treatment or for routine monitoring of disease progression in AS, experts say...

Wednesday Sep 26, 2007

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Begins Phase II, Dose-Finding Trial of Cobiprostone, a Chloride-Channel Activator, for the Prevention of NSAID-Induced Ulcers in Arthritis Patients

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc, announced that it has enrolled the first patient in a multicenter, phase II, dose-finding trial evaluating the prostone cobiprostone (SPI-8811) for the prevention of ulcers and other gastrointestinal injuries in arthritis patients treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)...

Wednesday Sep 19, 2007
Sosei's Fibromyalgia Phase II Trial of Nonopioid Analgesic, AD 337, Fails to Achieve Primary Endpoint
Sosei Group Corp, an international biopharmaceutical company focused on drug reprofiling, announced that its phase II proof-of-principle trial of AD 337 (an enantiomer of an approved, centrally acting, nonopioid, analgesic) for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) failed to achieve a statistically significant outcome in its primary endpoint at 4 weeks...

Monday Sep 17, 2007
Anesiva Initiates New Phase II Trial of Adleaâ„¢ for Pain Relief Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Anesiva, Inc, a publicly-held, late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic treatments for pain management, announced that it has initiated a new phase II study of Adleaâ„¢, a long-acting, nonopiate TRPV1 agonist, for the relief of postoperative pain in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA)...

Monday Sep 17, 2007
Once-Yearly Zoledronate Cuts Mortality After Hip Fracture by 28%

A single yearly dose of zoledronic acid can significantly reduce the risk of second fracture and decrease mortality in older patients who have had a hip fracture...Lyles KW, et al. ASBMR 2007.

Thursday Sep 06, 2007
Knee Monoarthritis May Be a Harbinger of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Mild-to-moderate knee monoarthritis may be an early warning sign of non-small-cell lung cancer in heavy smokers...

Wednesday Sep 05, 2007
Rheumatologists Asked to Take Lead in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in RA Patients
The chronic inflammation that characterizes many rheumatoid diseases is thought to be one cause of the higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that afflicts these patients. Experts say not enough is being done to educate patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) about the importance of early CV protection, and that early education is critical—before clinically apparent CVD is detectable...van Leuven SI, et al. Rheumatology. 2007; rheumatology/kem202 [Epub ahead of print]; John H, et al. Rheumatology. 2007; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem176 [Epub ahead of print].

Thursday Aug 30, 2007
Medtronic Receives FDA Approval for First Artificial Disc for Use in the Cervical Spine in the US
Medtronic, Inc,  announced that it has received US FDA approval to market the PRESTIGE® Cervical Disc, the first artificial disc commercially available in the US for use in cervical disc arthroplasty or cervical artificial disc replacement...

Tuesday Aug 28, 2007
Systematic Review Finds No Benefit From Selenium or Vitamins A, C in Arthritis; Raises Methodological Questions About Studies Showing Benefit From Vitamin E
Antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, sometimes combined with selenium, have been widely touted as beneficial for the treatment of arthritis, but a systematic review finds little convincing evidence of efficacy...

Tuesday Aug 28, 2007
New Zealand Regulatory Authority, Medsafe, Revokes Consents for Prexige® 200 mg and 400 mg Tablets; Novartis Issues Recall Notice 
The Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, Medsafe, has revoked the consents allowing the supply in New Zealand of the COX-2 anti-inflammatory medicine Prexige (lumiracoxib) 200 mg and 400 mg tablets on the grounds that the tablets can no longer be administered or used safely for the purposes indicated in the regulatory application for consent...

Tuesday Aug 28, 2007
Diseased Blood Vessels in the Bone May Cause or Aggravate OA
Vascular pathology may play a role in the pathogenesis or progression of osteoarthritis…Findlay DM. Rheumatology. 2007; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem191 [Epub ahead of print].

Monday Aug 27, 2007
Harkness Dance Medicine Head Urges Clinicians to Prepare for the "High School Musical 2" Generation

Musicals are back, dance classes are filled, clinicians are facing more dancers or former dancers with musculoskeletal problems, and dance medicine experts are urging clinicians to heed the beat of dancing feet...

Thursday Aug 23, 2007
Lilly Seeks Approval From US FDA for Cymbalta® (duloxetine hydrocholoride) in Fibromyalgia
Eli Lilly and Co announced that it has submitted a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the US FDA for Cymbalta® (duloxetine hydrocholoride), a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI), for the management of fibromyalgia...

Wednesday Aug 22, 2007
PsA Patients May Benefit From Statin Therapy
New research linking PsA with subclinical atherosclerosis may point to a potential role for statin therapy in these patients…Gonzalez-Juanatey C, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:1074-1080.

Monday Aug 20, 2007
Three New Studies Investigate How—Or Even If—Race and Ethnicity Affect Arthritis
CIAOMed takes an in-depth look at current research on the relationship between race, ethnicity, and arthritis...

Monday Aug 20, 2007
Oral Glucosamine Sulphate Reaches Blood, Joints in Levels That Might Be Bioactive
Oral glucosamine sulphate is bioavailable in the blood and the joints…Persiani S, et al. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007;15;764-772.

Thursday Aug 16, 2007
Even Moderate Exercise Improves Outcomes in JIA
Two new studies document diminished aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity in children and teens with JIA and show that even moderate exercise can markedly improve outcomes...

Wednesday Aug 15, 2007
Successful Gout Treatment Requires Up To 33 Months to Clear Urate Crystals From Joint Fluid
Reduction of serum uric acid levels eventually clears urate crystals from the synovial fluid in patients with gout, but this may require up to 33 months of treatment in some cases...Pascual E, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66:1056-1058.

Tuesday Aug 14, 2007
Novartis Withdraws Lumiracoxib (Prexige®) in Australia in Response to Decision From Therapeutic Goods Administration to Cancel Registration
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd announced the immediate recall of all doses (100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg tablets) of lumiracoxib (Prexige®), a COX-2 inhibitor for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and acute pain...

Wednesday Aug 08, 2007
Many OA Patients Willing to Accept Vioxx-Level GI, Heart, Stroke Risk in Exchange for Pain Relief
The first study to ask OA patients how much risk of adverse effects they were willing to accept for a 20% or 50% reduction in pain finds that most are willing to accept additional risk of gastric bleeding, heart attack, or stroke...Richardson CG, et al. J Rheumatol. 2007;34:1569-1575.

Tuesday Aug 07, 2007
Medarex Announces Initiation by Licensing Partner Novartis of Phase III Clinical Trial for Muckle-Wells Syndrome, a Rare Inherited Autoinflammatory Disease
Medarex, Inc announced that Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG has advanced ACZ885, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), to a phase III clinical trial for Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS), an inherited systemic autoinflammatory disease...

Wednesday Aug 01, 2007
MedImmune Initiates Phase Ib Multidose Trial of Anti-Interferon-α Monoclonal Antibody in Lupus Patients
MedImmune, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on fully human antibody-based therapeutics, announced it has begun a phase Ib multidose clinical trial with MEDI-545, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting interferon-α, in lupus patients.

Thursday Jul 26, 2007
Vitamin C After Wrist Fracture Prevents Chronic Pain Syndrome
Vitamin C (500 mg/day) taken for 50 days after wrist fracture significantly reduces the risk of developing complex regional pain syndrome...

Monday Jul 23, 2007
Is "Tech Neck" the Latest Casualty From Excessive Blackberry Use?
Rheumatologists and orthopaedists may be seeing an influx of patients complaining of neck pain caused by tilting their heads to use cell phones, BlackBerry devices, iPods, or handheld games.

Friday Jul 20, 2007
OA Experts Discuss Inflammation, Joint Protection, Need for Disease-Modifying OA Drugs
CIAOMed's roundtable of osteoarthritis experts discuss the role of inflammation in OA, the possibility that OA joint damage might be preventable, and the future role of disease-modifying drugs in OA....

Tuesday Jul 17, 2007
CombinatoRx's CRx-150 Fails to Meet Product Profile in Phase II Trial in RA; Development Discontinued in Favor of CRx-102

CombinatoRx, Inc, pioneering the new field of synergistic combination pharmaceuticals, announced disappointing preliminary results of its multicenter, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of CRx-150, a synergistic cytokine modulator combining the antidepressant amoxapine and the cardiovascular drug dipyridamole, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Tuesday Jul 17, 2007
NicOx Initiates Third Pivotal Phase III Study of Naproxcinod for OA of the Hip
NicOx SA, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of nitric oxide-donating drugs targeting the therapeutic areas of inflammation and cardiometabolic disease, announced the initiation of the third pivotal phase III clinical trial for naproxcinod in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.

Tuesday Jul 17, 2007
Prospective Study Validates ESR and CRP as Screening Tests for Infection Before Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

ESR and CRP can be used to differentiate infected from noninfected knees prior to revision total knee arthroplasty…

Friday Jul 13, 2007
Resistance Training Benefits Patients With Myositis
Patients with chronic, stable polymyositis and dermatomyositis can benefit from intensive resistance exercise without suffering increased muscle inflammation...

Wednesday Jul 11, 2007
Genzyme's Pivotal Trial of Hylastan for OA of the Knee Fails to Achieve Primary Endpoint
Genzyme Corp announced unfavorable topline results from a pivotal study investigating the safety and efficacy of hylastan, a viscosupplementation product, in treating pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee...

Monday Jul 09, 2007
Zap Away Knee OA Pain With Pulsed Electrostimulation
Pulsed electrostimulation may be a safe and effective way to reduce pain and improve function in knee OA patients...

Thursday Jul 05, 2007
Anesiva Announces Phase II Data Showing Substantial, Long-Term Pain Reduction With Adleaâ„¢ (Formerly 4975) in OA of the Knee
Anesiva, Inc, a publicly-held, late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic treatments for pain management, announced preliminary, long-term, follow-up results from a phase II study showing that treatment with Adleaâ„¢ (formerly 4975) in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee produced substantial pain reduction that lasted for up to 12 weeks...

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 Jul 03, 2007
Conventional Drugs Can Beat Back Early RA
Two-year data show that intensive treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and intra-articular corticosteroid can reduce X-ray progression in early RA...

Thursday Jun 28, 2007
RA Disease Activity Decreases During Pregnancy, but Less Than Was Assumed
A prospective study of RA outcomes during pregnancy shows that improvement and remission rates are not as high as previously reported…

Thursday Jun 28, 2007
Knee OA Synovitis Linked To Pain but Not To Cartilage Loss
Longitudinal MRI shows that changes in knee synovitis correlate with pain but not with cartilage loss in knee OA and suggest that treatment targeted to synovitis may improve pain…

Thursday Jun 28, 2007
Zoledronate Reduces Bone Turnover, Preserves Bone Quality
Once-yearly zoledronate infusion both reduces bone turnover and preserves trabecular bone structure…

Tuesday Jun 26, 2007
NSAID Stroke Risk Related to Hypertensive Effect, Not COX-2 Selectivity; Coxib GI Safety Advantage Depends on Comparator NSAID
Stroke risk is increased with NSAIDs known to cause hypertension, regardless of their COX-2 selectivity, and the apparent GI safety of some coxibs may be largely a function of the comparator NSAID used in clinical trials…

Monday Jun 25, 2007
Pfizer's Lyrica^R Receives FDA Approval for Fibromyalgia in Adults

Pfizer Inc announced that the US FDA approved Lyrica® (pregabalin) capsules CV for the management of fibromyalgia, one of the most common chronic, widespread pain conditions in the US...

Friday Jun 22, 2007
Belimumab Improves Symptoms in Nearly Half of Lupus Patients at 52 Weeks, Advances to Phase III Studies
Belimumab produces sustained improvement in SLE symptoms…

Thursday Jun 21, 2007
Lumiracoxib Effective for Hip OA and Better for BP Control Than Ibuprofen in Hypertensive OA Patients
Lumiracoxib shows promise for hip OA, and may be better than ibuprofen for hypertensive OA patients...

Thursday Jun 21, 2007
Early Data Show That Experimental B-Cell Blocker Passes Muster
Ofatumumab (Humax-CD20^TM), an experimental B-cell depleting agent, may be a safe and effective treatment for RA, but how it compares to rituximab remains to be seen...

Thursday Jun 21, 2007
Genzyme Files for FDA Approval of Single-Treatment Synvisc-Oneâ„¢ for OA Knee Pain
Genzyme Corp announced filing with the US FDA for product marketing authorization (PMA) of Synvisc-Oneâ„¢, the single treatment combining three doses of Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20) that provides up to 6 months of pain relief from osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee...

Tuesday Jun 19, 2007
Single Dose of Denosumab Reduces Bone Erosion in RA
MRI and X-ray data show that a single dose of denosumab reduces progression of bone erosions in RA patients...

Monday Jun 18, 2007
Novartis Reports Improved BP Control With Prexige® (lumiracoxib) But Similar Efficacy Compared With Ibuprofen in Hypertensive OA Patients
Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG reported new trial data showing that patients with osteoarthritis (OA), who also have controlled hypertension, experienced a slight decrease in average daily blood pressure (BP) when treated with the selective COX-2 inhibitor PrexigeR (lumiracoxib) compared with a slight increase in those taking ibuprofen, a commonly-used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Monday Jun 18, 2007
Immediate Switch From TNF-Inhibitors To Abatacept Safe in RA Patients
A washout is not needed when switching from a TNF-inhibitor to abatacept...

Saturday Jun 16, 2007
Long-Term, Repeated Use of Rituximab Is Safe in RA
A safety analysis of RA patients with long-term, repeated exposure to rituximab should go far toward relieving concerns over extended use...

Saturday Jun 16, 2007
Swedish Study Concludes That Having at Least 3 Drinks a Week Halves RA Risk
The more alcohol a person consumes, the more one's risk of RA is reduced...

Saturday Jun 16, 2007
Certolizumab, First PEGylated TNF-Blocker, May Surpass Older Drugs in Efficacy, Safety
When used with methotrexate, certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) may move rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients into remission more quickly than currently available TNF-blockers...

Friday Jun 15, 2007
Has the Increasing Use of Anti-TNF Drugs Led to a Rise in Cases of Drug-Induced Lupus? Study Says Yes
The increasing use of TNFα inhibitors to treat rheumatic, digestive, and cutaneous diseases has led to a corresponding rise in  the number of cases of drug-induced lupus...

Friday Jun 15, 2007
Oral Steroid Use Lessens Lymphoma Risk in RA
Treatment with oral steroids for longer than 2 years appears to decrease lymphoma risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis...

Friday Jun 15, 2007
Two Thirds of Gout Patients Receiving No, or Not Enough Treatment
A number of new treatment options for gout are available, but the major clinical problem is that even after gout diagnosis, only about one third of patients receive urate-lowering therapy...

Friday Jun 15, 2007
First Phase III Tocilizumab Data Show Rapid Improvement in RA Disease Activity, Confirming Critical Role of IL-6
Results of the first phase III trial of tocilizumab show that the anti-IL-6 monoclonal combined with methotrexate produces fast, sustained improvements in RA signs and symptoms, including a notable number of DAS28 remissions...

Thursday Jun 14, 2007
Modifed-Release Prednisone Tablet Reduces Morning Stiffness
Study highlights new approach to prednisolone delivery that synchronizes with the circadian rhythms of endogenous cortisol and RA symptoms…

Thursday Jun 14, 2007
More Patients Needed to Validate Biomarkers and Genotyping in Rheumatoid Diseases
Biomarkers and genotyping technology have outpaced the number of patient cohorts available for validation studies in rheumatoid diseases, but the new approaches are expected to change how clinicians assess disease susceptibility and predict response to therapy...

Thursday Jun 14, 2007
Steroids Are DMARDS: MTX Plus Prednisolone Provides Durable Benefit in RA
Study confirms "window of opportunity" in early RA where steroids can reduce structural damage…

Wednesday Jun 13, 2007
Stopping AS May Require Earlier Use of TNF-Inhibitors
Inflammation in AS stops once the subchondral bone is eroded and the bone/cartilage interface disappears, so preventing bone erosion and syndesmophyte formation is likely to require early anti-inflammatory treatment, including TNF-inhibitors...

Thursday May 31, 2007
Can NSAIDs Blunt the Cardioprotective Effects of Estrogen?
NSAIDs may interact with HT, potentially offsetting the cardioprotective effects observed in studies of either endogenous or exogenous estrogens...

Thursday May 31, 2007
Smoking Leads to Knee Cartilage Loss in Individuals With Family History of OA
Smoking leads to loss of knee cartilage and increased development of cartilage defects in individuals who have at least one parent with severe knee OA...

Thursday May 31, 2007
Studies Support Back Surgery Mainly for Nerve-Root-Associated Symptoms and Find Little Need to Rush to the OR
Lumbar-disk surgery for sciatica speeds pain relief but does not affect recovery at 1 year, but spinal fusion for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis was more effective than nonsurgical treatment...

Tuesday May 29, 2007
Biomechanics, Damage Outside Cartilage May Doom Chondroprotection
Chondroprotection seemed like a reasonable approach to OA when the disease was thought to result from wear and tear on cartilage, but it has had little success in clinical trials. Biomechanics and damage outside the cartilage may be the reason...

Thursday May 24, 2007
Single Local Corticosteroid Injection Is the Most Effective Way to Avoid Surgery in Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
An updated review of 12 studies comprising 671 patients found that local corticosteroid injections can provide at least a month of relief for patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome...

Friday May 18, 2007
Little Benefit Found for Amitriptyline in JIA, But New Research Design May Speed Clinical Trials
Amitriptyline is ineffective for JIA pain, but multiple serial N-of-1 trials plus Bayesian meta-analysis can be used with low patient numbers to weed out treatments that don't merit study in large clinical trials...

Wednesday May 16, 2007
AlphaRx and Proprius Report Nonachievement of Primary Endpoints in Their Topical NSAID (Indaflexâ„¢) Phase II Study in Osteoarthritis
AlphaRx Inc (MARKHAM, an emerging drug delivery company, and Proprius Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic services company that focuses on the area of rheumatology and autoimmune diseases, announced that results from the Indaflexâ„¢ 2.5% Topical Indomethacin Cream exploratory phase II clinical trial for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee (INDF-200) did not achieve its primary endpoints....

Wednesday May 16, 2007
Is There Anything Statins Can't Do? Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Moderate RA
In addition to their lipid-lowering effects, statins may reduce disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients...

Thursday May 10, 2007
Hydrotherapy, Tai Chi May Be Better Than Traditional Land-Based Exercises for OA
Hydrotherapy and Tai Chi are both better at improving physical function in OA patients than traditional exercise programs, and hydrotherapy has a particularly high patient adherence, perhaps because it seems to provide greater pain relief...

Tuesday May 08, 2007
2-Year Results Support Use of New Chondrocyte Graft to Repair Knee OA Damage
Two-year follow-up of a new 3-dimensional scaffold that permits grafting of autologous chondrocyte to repair knee cartilage defects show promising results in both knee OA and knee trauma, and the procedure can be done arthroscopically...

Monday May 07, 2007
Selected Presentations From the American Pain Society Meeting
American Pain Society presentations included new research on genetic factors associated with TMJD and with shoulder pain, a randomized trial of nabilone for fibromyalgia, and the intersection between chronic pain and PTSD...

Thursday May 03, 2007
Parental Responses May Perpetuate Catastrophizing in Adolescents With Chronic Pain
Parents of adolescents who have chronic musculoskeletal pain may be unwittingly encouraging  a psychological pattern that worsens both pain intensity and functional disability in their children...

Monday Apr 23, 2007
Tramadol for OA? Meta-Analysis Shows Pain Relief, But Barely
A new meta-analysis concludes that tramadol is better than placebo at decreasing pain intensity, relieving symptoms, and improving function in patients with OA, but the degree of benefit is small; one in eight patients will stop taking the drug because of adverse events...

Thursday Apr 19, 2007
Little High-Quality Evidence Found for Either Diagnosis or Treatment of Septic Arthritis
A systematic review of research on septic arthritis finds little reliable evidence to guide either diagnosis or management. The review identifies antibiotic choice, route of administration, and duration as key unanswered questions, as well as whether closed aspiration or open arthroscopy/arthrotomy is better for cleaning out an infected joint...

Friday Apr 13, 2007
FDA Panel Rejects Merck's Arcoxia By 20-to-1 Vote
Citing increased cardiovascular risks, an FDA advisory panel voted 20-to-1 against recommending approval of the COX-2 inhibitor ArcoxiaR (etoricoxib) for the treatment of osteoarthritis...

Friday Apr 13, 2007
Better Pain Management Urged for OA Patients Awaiting Hip or Knee Replacement in U.K.
Most patients on waiting lists for hip or knee replacement in Britain, report continuing, severe pain and suboptimal levels of analgesia...

Thursday Apr 12, 2007
Cerimon Initiates Global Phase IIb Study of IL-2 Receptor Antagonist, Basiliximab, in Patients With Steroid-Refractory Ulcerative Colitis
Cerimon Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutics for  autoimmune diseases, inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases, and pain management, announced that it has begun enrolling patients in a phase IIb clinical study of its lead product candidate basiliximab (SimulectR, Novartis Pharma AG) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Thursday Apr 12, 2007
Dropping 5% of Weight in 20 Weeks Reduces Disability, Pain in Knee OA
Losing just 5% of total body weight within a 20-week period  — or 0.25% per week — should be enough for overweight or obese patients with knee OA to feel and function better. . .

Tuesday Apr 10, 2007
Aromatase Inhibitors Linked to Increasing Rate of Arthralgias in Cancer Survivors
Aromatase inhibitors have revolutionized breast cancer treatment, but are also contributing to increased rates of arthralgias in cancer survivors and may uncover underlying RA in some cases...

Thursday Apr 05, 2007
Labopharm Reports Data from Phase III Clinical Trial for its Once-Daily Formulation of the Analgesic Tramadol (Tramadol Contramid® OAD) for Osteoarthritis
Labopharm Inc (LAVAL, Québec, Canada), is an international specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of drugs incorporating it's proprietary advanced controlled-release technologies...

Tuesday Apr 03, 2007
Inflammation More Important Than Joint Damage in Psoriatic Arthritis Disability
Psoriatic arthritis disease activity is more important than joint damage in causing disability, especially in the early years of disease duration…

Monday Apr 02, 2007
Nuvo Provides Update on Pennsaid® Discussions with the US FDA

Nuvo Research Inc is a publicly traded pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing innovative site-specific therapeutics that are delivered topically using the company's skin-penetrating technologies...

Thursday Mar 29, 2007
FDG-PET Does Not Predict PMR Relapse But Does Show Inflammation of Processi Spinosi
FDG-PET did not help identify polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients at high risk for relapse but did reveal a high level of inflammation of the processi spinosi, a novel finding that might help explain the morning stiffness reported by so many PMR patients...

Thursday Mar 29, 2007
"Emotional" Brain Areas Triggered by OA Pain Might Be Good Therapeutic Target
Patients feel knee OA pain through two brain systems: the ‘lateral pain system,' involved with sensory pain, and the ‘medial pain system,' involved with the emotional aspects of pain. The latter may be a good target for new analgesics for arthritic pain...

Monday Mar 26, 2007
Job Stress, One-Handed Lifting Increases Risk of Knee Pain
Nearly one in 10 new workers develop knee pain in the 2 years after they start working. On-the-job stress and single-handed lifting are the two major risk factors…

Wednesday Mar 21, 2007
BioMimetic Receives Orphan Drug Designation for rhPDGF-BB Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc, an emerging leader in developing and commercializing bioactive drug-device combination drugs to heal musculoskeletal injuries and disease, including periodontal, orthopaedic, spine and sports injuries, announced that it has received orphan drug designation from the US FDA for its protein therapeutic, recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB)...

Tuesday Mar 20, 2007
POZEN Reports Positive Outcome for "Safer Aspirin" PA 325 Proof-of-Concept Study
POZEN Inc, a pharmaceutical company developing products for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, announced positive results of its "Safer Aspirin" PA 325 proof-of-concept study conducted during the fourth quarter of 2006...

Tuesday Mar 13, 2007
Experts Hope Ultrasound and MRI Will Get More Gout Patients Into Treatment

In-office ultrasonography and greater use of MRI might improve gout diagnosis, simplify monitoring of response to urate-lowering therapy, and inspire more aggressive use of hypouricemic agents...

Friday Mar 09, 2007
TNF-Inhibitors Cut Cancer, Cardiac, Overall Mortality in RA Patients
A comparison of two nationwide databases shows that RA patients treated with TNF-inhibitors have lower mortality from all causes than RA patients not taking these drugs...

Thursday Mar 08, 2007
Mayo Clinic Study Suggests that Steroids Raise CV Risk Only in RF-Positive Patients
Steroid exposure increases CV risk in RA patients who were RF-positive, but not in patients RF-negative, Mayo Clinic researchers conclude...

Monday Mar 05, 2007
AAN Therapeutics Panel Discourages Use of Epidural Steroid Injections for Radicular Low Back or Cervical Pain
The American Academy of Neurology's therapeutics and technology assessment subcommittee cautions against use of epidural steroid injections for radicular lumbosacral pain and concludes that there is insufficient evidence to make any recommendation for radicular cervical pain...

Tuesday Feb 27, 2007
Common Analgesics Raise Hypertension Risk in Men
Men who routinely use acetaminophen, NSAIDs, or aspirin have a roughly 30% increased risk of developing hypertension...

Thursday Feb 22, 2007
Zimmer and ISTO Start Clinical Trial of Neocartilage (DeNovo® ET Engineered Tissue Graft), a Novel Cartilage Regeneration Treatment 
Zimmer Holdings, Inc, an orthopaedic leader in reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma, and related orthopaedic surgical products, and ISTO Technologies, Inc, a clinical-stage orthobiologic company that focuses on cell-based technology for the repair and regeneration of damaged cartilage in joints and spinal discs, announced the initiation of a clinical trial for Neocartilage, a living tissue-engineered graft...

Thursday Feb 22, 2007
Study Supports Intra-Articular Steroid Injections for Hip OA
Steroid injections in the hip to treat hip OA were effective in an uncontrolled pilot study and should be studied in randomized, controlled trials...

Tuesday Feb 20, 2007
Osiris's Chondrogenâ„¢ Adult Stem Cell Therapy Fails to Demonstrate Cartilage Regeneration According to Interim Results from Phase I/II Study
Osiris Therapeutics, a leader in adult stem cell therapy, announced that 6-month interim results from its phase I/II clinical study of Chondrogenâ„¢, a preparation of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors and specially formulated for direct injection into the knee for the regeneration of the meniscus in the knee and prevention of osteoarthritis, failed to demonstrate significant amounts of meniscal regeneration...

Tuesday Feb 20, 2007
Suspect CVID if Lupus Patients Have Recurrent Sinus Infections
Rheumatologists should suspect CVID in lupus patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections in the absence of lupus activity and/or immunosuppressive treatment. Treatment with gammaglobulins may be highly effective for this rare but potentially deadly disease...

Thursday Feb 15, 2007
Surgeons Warn Against Over-Use of "Minimally Invasive Surgery" for Hip Replacements
Surgeons at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 74th Annual Meeting questioned the advantages of minimally invasive hip replacement surgery compared with "gold standard" open THR... AAOS 2007 Annual Meeting.

Tuesday Feb 13, 2007
Rheumatologists Advised to Be Alert for Signs of Serum Sickness in Rituximab-Treated Patients
The first case of rituximab-induced serum sickness in a patient without an underlying autoimmune disorder suggests that this problem might be under-recognized in RA and SLE patients...

Tuesday Feb 13, 2007
Wider Use of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Axial LBP Urged at Pain Medicine Meeting
Spinal cord stimulation is effective for axial low back pain (LBP) as well as for radiculopathy and should be more widely used for pain relief in LBP patients who have persistent pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome...

Thursday Feb 08, 2007
Trubion Completes Enrollment and Dosing of Patients in Phase IIb Clinical Trial of Immunotherapeutic TRU-015 for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company creating a pipeline of product candidates to treat autoimmune disease and cancer, announced it has completed enrollment and dosing of patients in its phase IIb clinical trial of TRU-015, the company's lead Small Modular ImmunoPharmaceutical drug candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)...

Thursday Feb 08, 2007
More Patient Input on Design Needed If RA Patients Are Actually to Wear Therapeutic Shoes
More attention to shape and design of shoes for feet of RA patients...

Thursday Feb 08, 2007
Steroids Add 60% to DMARD Efficacy in RA

Cochrane Collaboration reviewers say that steroids should be added to the list of drugs that can change the course of rheumatoid arthritis if used early enough...

Thursday Feb 01, 2007
Brain Dysfunction Precedes the Development of Fibromyalgia
Abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can be detected more than a year before the development of fibromyalgia symptoms in patients who are psychologically "at risk." HPA dysfunction appears to increase the chance that psychological stress will trigger chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain...

Wednesday Jan 31, 2007
First, Do No Harm—Exercise Won't Up Risk of Knee OA
Exercise neither protects against nor increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in older, overweight adults…

Tuesday Jan 30, 2007
Whiplash Rarely Results in Widespread Pain
New research shows that individuals with whiplash who report early symptoms of depression and those with severe neck injury are most at risk for widespread pain...

Monday Jan 29, 2007
Renovis Reduces Workforce by 40%; Will Focus on Inflammatory Diseases and Pain
Renovis, Inc (SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, California), a biopharmaceutical company that seeks to discover, develop, and commercialize therapeutics for inflammatory and neurological diseases, announced it has reduced its workforce by approximately 40% to approximately 70 employees.

Monday Jan 22, 2007
Glenmark's Lead Drug Candidate for pain, GRC 6211, Enters Phase I in Europe; Osteoarthritis a Target
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA, the wholly owned Swiss subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (MUMBAI, India), a research-led, global, fully integrated pharmaceutical company, has applied for phase I clinical trials in Europe for GRC 6211...

Friday Jan 19, 2007
Anesiva's Phase II and Phase III Pivotal Clinical Studies of 4975, a Long-Acting Pain Candidate, to Start in 2007 for Osteoarthritis and Postsurgical Pain (Total Knee Arthroplasty)
Anesiva, Inc. (SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, California), a publicly-held, late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic treatments for pain management, announced the planned phase II/III clinical trial program for the development of 4975, a long-acting, nonopioid, capsaicin-based agonist of TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1; formerly known as vanilloid receptor 1 or VR1), a ligand-gated ion channel activated by agonists such as capsaicin and other factors (eg, heat and acidosis), for the acute treatment of severe pain including osteoarthritis (OA) and postsurgical pain...

Tuesday Jan 16, 2007
Horizon Therapeutics' Phase III Trial of GI-Friendly NSAID for Mild-to-Moderate Pain Relief, Including Patients With Osteoarthritis, to be Conducted Under a Special Protocol Assessment; Company Raises $15 Million in Series B Financing
Horizon Therapeutics, Inc, a privately-held, late-stage biopharmaceutical company is focusing on the development and commercialization of therapeutic treatments for mild-to-moderate pain management based on innovative combinations of approved pharmaceutical products that seek to improve safety, efficacy, and patient compliance.

Friday Jan 12, 2007
Lavage With Steroids Better Than Aspiration With Steroids for Inflammatory Knee  Arthritis
Arthroscopic lavage plus steroids provides a more prolonged therapeutic benefit than  joint aspiration plus steroids or lavage alone in knee inflammatory arthritis...

Tuesday Jan 09, 2007
Small Study Highlights Role for Etanercept in Rheumatological Manifestations of HCV
Etanercept seems to be safe and effective for the treatment of rheumatological manifestations associated with hepatitis virus C, but more studies are needed before firm  conclusions can be drawn...

Monday Jan 08, 2007
Ethanol Prevents Joint Destruction in Mouse RA Model
Arthritis-prone mice obliged to drink 10% ethanol for 5 weeks were largely protected from developing destructive joint disease...

Wednesday Jan 03, 2007
Shire Receives Label Agreement in Europe for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment, Mezavant (mesalazine)
Shire plc, the third largest pharmaceutical company in the UK, announced that core labeling information, part of Shire's Marketing Authorization Application for the ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment Mezavantâ„¢ (mesalazine, once-daily, high-dose 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in a delayed and extended release formulation), has been agreed by the regulatory agencies for the 15 European countries (including Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom) participating in the decentralized procedure.

Wednesday Jan 03, 2007
Nuvo Receives Approvable Letter from US FDA for Pennsaid, a Topical Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee; Nuvo Licenses Canadian Pennsaid Plus Rights to Squire Pharmaceuticals, a Subsidiary of Paladin Labs
Nuvo Research Inc announced that it has received an approvable letter from the US FDA for Pennsaid® (1.5% w/w diclofenac sodium solution), a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Wednesday Jan 03, 2007
The Change in (Chronic) Pain Is Plainly in the Brain
Patients with chronic lower back pain show imaging changes in the cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and prefrontal cortex...

Monday Dec 18, 2006
Genzyme, Anika Retain Separate Medicare Code and Reimbursement Rate for Synvisc and Orthovisc, Respectively; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Reverse Earlier Decision
Genzyme Corp (CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts) and Anika Therapeutics, Inc (WOBURN, Massachusetts)  independently announced that Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20) and  Orthovisc®, their respective hyaluronic acid (HA) viscosupplement products used to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, will maintain separate reimbursement codes and rates for 2007, according to a decision made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Monday Dec 18, 2006
Smoking Exacerbates Knee OA
Men with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who smoke experience greater cartilage loss and more severe pain than men who do not smoke…Amin S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006 December 20; [Epub ahead of print].

Thursday Dec 14, 2006
Transcranial Electrostim Reduces Pain, Confirms Fibromyalgia as a Central Pain Syndrome
Noninvasive transcranial direct current stimulation can relieve fibromyalgia pain, pilot study shows...

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 Dec 07, 2006
Leaning Back Might Help the Desk-Bound Dodge Back Pain
A positional MRI study of sitting postures and intervertebral disk morphology suggests that leaning back a bit rather than sitting up straight or slouching can greatly reduce strain on the lumbar spine and cut the risk of chronic back pain...

Wednesday Dec 06, 2006
Serum MMP-3 May Be Biomarker of Joint Damage in AS, MRI Accuracy Questioned
Measuring serum levels of metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) may be an inexpensive yet accurate way for rheumatologists to predict which AS patients will develop joint damage, particularly in those with pre-existing radiographic damage...

Tuesday Dec 05, 2006
Nastech, P&G Amend Agreement for Development of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH1-34) Nasal Spray for Treatment of Osteoporosis
Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc (BOTHELL, Washington) announced the amendment of its previous agreement with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc (P&G) for the clinical development program of the parathyroid hormone (PTH1-34) nasal spray for the treatment of osteoporosis. The amendment includes an additional phase II dose ranging study as well as a change in the timing of payments.

Monday Dec 04, 2006
Genzyme's Synvisc® Demonstrated to Improve Osteoarthritis Knee Pain With Single Dose
Genzyme Corporation announced preliminary results from a study conducted in Europe that indicate that patients treated with a single dose of Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20) achieved a statistically significant improvement in pain from osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee over 26 weeks compared with those using placebo.

Wednesday Nov 22, 2006
Still No Final Word on Diskectomy vs Nonoperative Treatment for HNP
New data show no dramatic difference between diskectomy and nonoperative management of lumbar disk herniation—suggesting that individual patient preferences should play a major role in choice of treatment— and that there is no great risk in delaying surgery.

Wednesday Nov 22, 2006
Sosei Ends Development of AD 452 Following Failure to Achieve Primary and Secondary Endpoints in Phase IIb Clinical Trial for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sosei Group Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, announced that AD 452, a novel, small molecule cytokine modulator, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on a background of methotrexate, failed to meet its primary or secondary efficacy endpoints in a phase IIb clinical trial. As a consequence of these results Sosei has decided to discontinue with the development of this compound for the treatment of RA.

Monday Nov 20, 2006
Pregabalin Offers Durable Pain Relief in Fibromyalgia
The anticonvulsant pregabalin may offer extended pain relief to fibromyalgia patients... Crofford LJ, et al. Presented at: ACR 2006 Meeting.

Thursday Nov 16, 2006
Abbott's HUMIRA (adalimumab) Approved in Canada for Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Abbott announced that it has received approval from Health Canada to market HumiraR (adalimumab) as a treatment for active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Canada.

Wednesday Nov 15, 2006
Is Resection Necessary? Meniscal Tears Rarely Cause Pain
Meniscal resection may do little to relieve pain among older patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), as meniscal tears are common but rarely cause any symptoms... Englund M, et al. Presented at ACR 2006 Meeting.

Wednesday Nov 15, 2006
Once-Yearly Zoledronic Acid Injection Reduces Fracture Risk, Improves Bone Structure in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis
Once-yearly injections of zoledronic acid 5 mg reduces fracture risk, improves bone mineral density, and improves bone structure in women with osteoporosis... Black DM, Recker RR. Presented at ACR 2006 Meeting.

Thursday Nov 09, 2006
Novartis' Prexige Cleared for Approval in EU for Patients with Osteoarthritic Pain
Novartis announced that PrexigeR (lumiracoxib), an oral selective COX-2 inhibitor anti-inflammatory drug, has been cleared for approval in the European Union (EU) as a new treatment option for patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA).

Wednesday Nov 08, 2006
CombinatoRx Syncretic Drug Candidate CRx-102 Achieves Phase II Trial Endpoints in Rheumatoid Arthritis
CombinatoRx, Incorporated announced positive preliminary results of its phase II clinical trial of CRx-102, an oral synergistic combination drug candidate containing the generic cardiovascular agent dipyridamole and an unconventionally low dose (3mg, below the effective human dose) of the generic steroid prednisolone, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Tuesday Nov 07, 2006
Study IDs Predictors of Poor Outcome in Enthesitis-Related Arthritis
Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) patients tend to have worse outcomes than children  with other subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Predictors of poor outcome include family history of related diseases, the presence of HLA-DRB1*08, the absence of a protective HLA subtype, and persistently elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)…

Monday Nov 06, 2006
Risedronate Does Not Slow OA Progression or Decrease Pain But May Affect Cartilage Degradation
No effect on OA progression, signs, or symptoms seen in 2-year risedronate study...

Thursday Nov 02, 2006
RCT Supports Acupuncture Benefit in Knee, Hip OA
Acupuncture combined with usual medical care results in improvements in both pain and quality of life among patients with chronic knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) compared with routine care alone...

Wednesday Nov 01, 2006
Community Physiotherapy, Pharmacy Review Can Help Knee OA Patients Reduce NSAID Use
Physiotherapists and pharmacists can safely and effectively deliver evidence-based care to patients with knee pain resulting in improvements in pain, high degree of patient satisfaction, and reduced use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, at least in the short term...

Wednesday Nov 01, 2006
Genzyme to Challenge Medicare Code and Reimbursement Decision for Synvisc
Genzyme Corporation, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, announced that it will work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), government officials and, if necessary, through legal channels to dispute a CMS decision to group all viscosupplementation products into a single reimbursement code.

Wednesday Nov 01, 2006
Regeneron's Phase III Clincial Program for Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Trap, a Long Lasting IL-1 Inhibitor, Achieves Primary Endpoints in Studies with Patients Diagnosed with CAPS, a Spectrum of Rare Chronic Autoinflammatory Syndromes
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, announced positive data from a phase III clinical program designed to provide two separate demonstrations of efficacy for the investigational drug Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Trap within a single group of patients suffering from CAPS (CIAS1-related Autoinflammatory Periodic Syndromes).

Thursday Oct 26, 2006
New Study Casts Doubt on Metabolic Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A new study comparing response to exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) finds exercise more difficult in CFS/FM patients than in those with CFS alone, but casts doubt on metabolic explanations for CFS…Cook DB, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:3351–3362.

Thursday Oct 19, 2006
Conventional strength training program has little effect on knee OA progression
Conventional strength training exercises have little effect on progression of knee osteoarthritis... Mikesky AE, et al. Arthritis Care & Research 2006;55:690-693.

Monday Oct 16, 2006
Biovitrum to Cofinance Clinical Development of Synphora's Prostaglandin Derivative (JB991) for Psoriasis
Biovitrum, one of the largest biopharma companies in Europe, announced a development agreement with the Swedish biotechnology company Synphora AB...

Friday Oct 13, 2006
THR Also Relieves Back Pain In Patients With Severe Hip OA
Replacing a severely damaged hip joint also relieves back pain and reduces disability in a high proportion of elderly patients with hip OA... Ben-Galim P, et al. The North American Spine Society 21st Annual Meeting.

Tuesday Oct 10, 2006
ASBMR Convenes International Task Force on Jaw Osteonecrosis, Issues Interim Guidelines for Osteoporosis Patients
Reacting to multiple reports of jaw osteonecrosis in patients treated with bisphosphonates, the ASBMR has convened an international task force to address this "emerging and urgent clinical problem" and has issued interim clinical recommendations... Shane E, et al. JBMR. 2006;21:1503-1505.

Tuesday Oct 03, 2006
Genzyme's Synvisc Receives European Approval to Expand Label to Include the Treatment of OA Pain of the Ankle and Shoulder
Genzyme Corporation announced that it has received European approval to expand the CE mark labeling for SynviscR (hylan G-F 20) to include treatment of pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle and shoulder. Genzyme expects to begin marketing Synvisc in the EU with its new label immediately.

Monday Oct 02, 2006
Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Seen in Leflunomide-Treated RA Patient
A case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with leflunomide treatment for rheumatoid arthritis has been reported... Wardwell NR, et al. Respirology. 2006;11:663-665.

Thursday Sep 21, 2006
Abatacept Should Not be Used with Etanercept to Treat RA
The combination of etanercept and abatacept increased serious adverse effects and provided little clinical benefit for patients with RA... Weinblatt M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;25 August 2006 [Epub ahead of print]

Tuesday Sep 19, 2006
TNF Inhibitors Do Not Increase Cancer Risk More Than MTX in RA Patients
A study of 1152 RA patients who used biologics and 7306 treated with methotrexate concludes that the risk of cancer is about the same in both groups, once RA disease severity is considered. Setoguchi S, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2757-2764.

Tuesday Sep 19, 2006
Ibuprofen After Hip Replacement Does More Harm Than Good
The common practice of taking ibuprofen after total hip replacement reduces ectopic bone formation but has no significant effect on pain or function and doubles the risk of serious bleeding complications. Frasen M, et al. BMJ. 2006; 2 Aug 2006 [Epub ahead of print]

Monday Sep 18, 2006
Most Stomach Pain in Childhood Lupus Needs High-Dose Steroids, Not Laparotomy
Patients with childhood-onset lupus who present with abdominal pain likely are suffering flares of the underlying SLE and in most cases should receive high doses of corticosteroids—not be rushed to surgery for presumed appendicitis... Richer O, et al.  Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;3 July 2006; [Epub ahead of print]

Thursday Sep 07, 2006
First Trimester NSAID Use Raises Risk of Birth Defects
Women who use NSAIDs during the first trimester of pregnancy are significantly more likely to bear children with congenital heart problems or other birth defects... Ofori B, et al. Birth Defects Research (Part B). 21 August 2006 [Epub ahead of print]

Wednesday Sep 06, 2006
Logical Therapeutics Launches Operations With Seed Capital and In-Licenses Novel Anti-Inflammatory Drug From Medinox
Logical Therapeutics, Inc., an early-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutic agents to treat medical conditions caused by poorly controlled or excessive inflammatory responses, announced that it has completed a Seed round of financing in partnership with PA Early Stage Partners...

Wednesday Aug 30, 2006
Joint Distraction May Delay Need for Joint Replacement in Advanced Osteoarthritis
Temporarily stretching knees or ankles a bit to take the load off cartilage and subchondral bone promotes healing, reduces pain, improves function, and might help some osteoarthritis patients defer or even avoid total joint replacement...

Monday Aug 28, 2006
Etanercept Maintains Clinical Benefit for Patients Who Must Drop Infliximab
Patients who respond to infliximab but must discontinue due to side effects maintain clinical benefit if switched to etanercept...

Thursday Aug 24, 2006
Merck's Investigational Selective COX-2 Inhibitor, ARCOXIA (Etoricoxib), for Arthritis and Pain Yields Mixed Clinical Results Against the NSAID Diclofenac
Merck & Co, Inc. announced preliminary analyses of the MEDAL (Multinational Etoricoxib and Diclofenac Arthritis Long-Term) program study as showing the rate of confirmed thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events to be similar between the selective COX-2 inhibitor ARCOXIAâ„¢ (the planned successor to Vioxx) and diclofenac, the most widely prescribed traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Wednesday Aug 23, 2006
Genzyme Files for European Approval to Expand Label for Synvisc in Ankle and Shoulder Indications
Genzyme Corp. announced that it has filed with the European authority to expand the continuing education mark for Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20) to include treatment of pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle and shoulder...

Wednesday Aug 23, 2006
Niche Use Seen for SSZ in Inflammatory Back Pain
SSZ may be useful in patients with inflammatory back pain who do not have peripheral arthritis... Braun J, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;65:1147-1153

Friday Aug 18, 2006
OA Radiography Correlates Well with Knee Pain, New Study Shows
A new study of radiographic changes in patients with knee pain finds  a consistent association between pain severity, stiffness, and physical function and the presence of radiographic osteoarthritis. .... Duncan R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006 July 28; [Epub ahead of print]

Thursday Aug 17, 2006
Early Diagnosis of AS: Dr. Rudwaleit Does the Math to Make It Easy
Diagnosing early ankylosing spondylitis in a patient with chronic back pain may be easier with a simple method based on standard tests and symptoms... Rudwaleit M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006;65:1251-1252.

Monday Aug 14, 2006
Lower IL-4, IL-10 Levels Seen as Possible Basis for Fibromyalgia Test
New research showing that patients with chronic  widespread pain have significantly lower levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL)-4  and IL-10 may help doctors develop a cytokine expression profile that can aid in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Üçeyler, N, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2656-2664

Friday Aug 11, 2006
Fish Oil Reduces CV Risk Factors, NSAID Requirements in RA Patients
Two tablespoons of fish oil per day significantly improved some cardiovascular risk factors and reduced NSAID requirements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis... Cleland LG, et al. J Rheumatol. 2006 Aug 01; [Epub ahead of print]

Wednesday Aug 09, 2006
TransPharma Medical Raises $18 Million to Advance Clinical Development of Transdermal hPTH (1-34) for Osteoporosis
TransPharma Medical Ltd, has raised $18 million in a Series C round of financing, led by Argonaut Private Equity and including an additional new investor, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, as well as TransPharma's current investors.

Wednesday Aug 09, 2006
Low Estrogen Levels Increase Risk of Knee OA in Women
Low concentrations of estradiol and urinary 2-hydroxyestrone may increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis among women approaching menopause... Sowers MFR, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2481-2487.

Wednesday Aug 02, 2006
Fear of Pain Robs Arthritis Patients of Chance for Pain-Relieving Exercise
Fear of pain is a major reason people with arthritis avoid exercise, and many are unaware that regular exercise can reduce pain and prevent disability. …Wilcox, S, et al. Arthritis Care Res. August 2006; DOI: 10.1002/art.22098

Tuesday Aug 01, 2006
Schering-Plough's REMICADE Receives EU Approval as Monotherapy for Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis; Abbott's HUMIRA Receives FDA Approval for Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Schering-Plough Corporation announced that the European Commission approved the use of REMICADE® (infliximab) as monotherapy in the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients who show intolerance to methotrexate (MTX) or for whom MTX is contraindicated.

Tuesday Jul 25, 2006
Nuvo's Pennsaid® NDA Resubmission for the Treatment of Osteoporosis Accepted for Review by US FDA
Nuvo Research Inc announced that it has resubmitted its New Drug Application (NDA) for Pennsaid® (1.5% w/w diclofenac sodium solution), a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee to the US FDA.

Wednesday Jul 12, 2006
Foot Orthoses Produce Short-Term Benefits in Plantar Fasciitis
Foot orthoses can improve pain and function from plantar fasciitis in the short-term, but the effects don't seem to last a year…Landorf, KB, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:1305-1310.

Saturday Jul 08, 2006
New Study Supports Steroid Injections for Hip OA
Data from a new randomized, controlled trial support the EULAR recommendation on steroid injections for hip OA....Lambert RG, et al. EULAR 2006.

Thursday Jul 06, 2006
Controlled Trial Shows That Acupuncture Improves Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Acupuncture may be a reasonable adjunct to fibromyalgia treatment…Martin, D, et al. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2006;81:749-757.

Tuesday Jun 27, 2006
Bosentan Prevents Digital Ulcers, Improves Heart Function in Systemic Sclerosis
Bosentan reduces digital ulcer risk and improves heart function in systemic sclerosis patients... Allanore Y, et al. Presented at: EULAR 2006 Meeting; June 21–34, 2006; Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Abstract OP0120.

Tuesday Jun 27, 2006
Keep Prescribing MTX, Using X-rays for RA, EULAR Told
Pre-symptomatic diagnosis and better drugs should make RA remission for all a possibility within 10 years...Smolen, J. Presented at: EULAR 2006, 21-24 June 2006, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Tuesday Jun 27, 2006
Abbott Receives FDA Approval for New HUMIRA® Injection Device
Abbott Laboratories announced that the US FDA approved the HUMIRA® Pen, a new single-use, disposable, pen-like device for administering HUMIRA, a treatment approved in the US for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis and for active psoriatic arthritis....

Saturday Jun 24, 2006
New Imaging Methods Show Ligament Damage Is the First Stage of Hand OA
New, high-resolution MRI and PET imaging are bringing the details of hand OA into focus, and show that changes in ligaments are the first signs of disease... Tan AL. 2006 EULAR Meeting; June 21–24, 2006; Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Abstract SP0060.

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.

Friday Jun 23, 2006
Kyphoplasty Reduces Osteoporotic Fracture Pain, but Does It Predispose to More Fractures?
Pharmacologic treatments for osteoporosis leave up to 50% of patients suffering long-term pain from fractures—perhaps unnecessarily... Kasperk C. Presented at: EULAR 2006; June 21–24, 2006; Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Abstract SP0033.

Friday Jun 23, 2006
Quick Response to Steroids, Symmetrical Joint Pain Distinguish PMR From Elderly-Onset RA
Clinical and laboratory findings tend to be unhelpful in distinguishing between rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica in the elderly; instead, the symmetric involvement of peripheral joints and the rapid response to low-dose oral corticosteroid therapy should be considered key diagnostic features of PMR... Salvarani, C. 2006 EULAR meeting; June 21–24 2006; Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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...

Tuesday Jun 20, 2006
Abatacept Effective in MTX-Resistant RA
Abatacept (Orencia®) significantly reduces disease activity and retards radiographic progression in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite treatment with methotrexate... Kremer JM, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144:865-876.

Monday Jun 19, 2006
EULAR Issues First Gout Guidelines in Advance of Annual Meeting
The EULAR Gout Task Force has issued a two-part set of evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout... Zhang W, et al. Ann Rheum Dis [serial online]; 17 May 2006.

Wednesday Jun 14, 2006
MRI Reveals Little in Low Back Pain
Routine use of MRI in early episodes of low back pain is probably a mistake... Carragee E. Presented at: American Pain Society 25th Annual Meeting; May 3–6, 2006; San Antonio, Tex.

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.

Monday Jun 12, 2006
Abbott's Humira® Approved in European Union for Severe Ankylosing Spondylitis
Abbott Laboratories announced that Humira® (adalimumab) was approved by the European Commission for marketing in Europe as a treatment for severe, active ankylosing spondylitis...

Monday Jun 05, 2006
PsA Enthesopathy As Cause of Plantar Fasciitis Responds to TNF Inhibitors
The TNF inhibitors infliximab and etanercept are both effective for the treatment of enthesopathy associated with psoriatic arthritis... Ritchlin CT. J Rheumatol. 15 May 2006; [Epub ahead of print]

Monday Jun 05, 2006
Meta-Analysis Shows Increased CV Risk for Coxibs and NSAIDs—Except Naproxen
A major new meta-analysis shows significantly higher vascular risk for selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) and for most traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but also supports the contention that naproxen has some protective effects... Kearney PM, et al. Brit Med J. 2006;332:1302-1305.

Thursday Jun 01, 2006
Devil's Claw, White Willow Bark As Good As Vioxx for Low Back Pain?
A new Cochrane systematic review of published clinical trials finds that some herbal preparations significantly relieve pain and reduce the need for rescue medications in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic low-back pain... Gagnier JJ, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(2)CD004504.

Wednesday May 31, 2006
NicOx Completes Enrollment Early for Phase III Trial of HCT 3012 in OA
NicOx SA announced early completion of accrual for the first phase III trial of HCT 3012, a novel, proprietary, nitric oxide-donating derivative of naproxen...

Thursday May 25, 2006
Meniscus Allografts Survive, Provide "Shock Absorber" in Severe Arthritis
Meniscus retread might help delay need for total knee replacement... Stone KR, et al. Arthroscopy. 2006;22:469-478.

Thursday May 25, 2006
Hyperosmolar Dextrose Sweetens Chronic Tendinosis

Ultrasound-guided hyperosmolar dextrose injections into tendon relieve chronic tendinosis... Maxwell NJ, Ryan M, Taunton JE, Wong A. Presented at: American Roentgen Ray Society 106th Annual Meeting; April 30–May 5; Vancouver, BC. Abstract 172.

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...

Monday May 15, 2006
Infliximab Cools Spinal Inflammation in AS
Six months of infliximab significantly reduced MRI-proven sites of spinal inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis... Braun J, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:1646-1652.

Friday May 12, 2006
Cochrane Review Questions Muscle Relaxants, NSAIDs, Botox for Neck Pain
A Cochrane systematic review of randomized trials of medicines and injections used to treat mechanical neck disorders such as whiplash found scant support for commonly used treatments such as muscle relaxants and NSAIDs, and a general lack of solid clinical research on treatment of neck pain... Peloso PM, et al. J Rheumatol. 2006;33:957-967.

Thursday May 04, 2006
Adding Alefacept Increases MTX Response in Psoriatic Arthritis
Alefacept plus methotrexate significantly increased response rates in patients with psoriatic arthritis... Mease PJ, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:1638-1645.

Friday Apr 28, 2006
Labopharm's Phase III Study for Once-Daily Tramadol Achieves Primary Endpoint in Patients With OA of the Knee
Labopharm Inc, of Laval, Quebec, Canada, announced that the phase III clinical trial for its once-daily formulation of the analgesic tramadol in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee achieved statistical significance for the primary endpoint...

Thursday Apr 27, 2006
Rheumatologists Rely on Swollen Joint Counts When Deciding to Change RA Therapy
Rheumatologists rely on swollen joint count, morning stiffness, and CRP levels when deciding to change RA therapy... Soubrier M, et al. J Rheumatol. 2006 Apr 15; [Epub ahead of print]

Thursday Apr 20, 2006
New Research in Animal Models Helps Clarify Mechanism by Which COX-2 Inhibitors Increase Incidence of MI and Stroke
New research using murine models helps to clarify the mechanism by which cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors increase the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke, potentially paving the way for a new generation of drugs that will avoid this effect... Cheng Y, et al. J Clin Invest. [serial online] April 13, 2006;doi:10.1172/JCI27540.

Tuesday Apr 11, 2006
Leflunomide is an Effective Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and Plaque Psoriasis
Once-daily oral leflunomide is a safe and effective treatment for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and plaque psoriasis... Nash P, et al. Dermatology. 2006;212:238-249.

Monday Apr 03, 2006
TransPharma Medicalâ„¢ Ltd Gains Promising Clinical Trial Results for Its hPTH (1-34) Transdermal Delivery, Investigative Product for Osteoporosis
TransPharma Medicalâ„¢ Ltd, of Lod, Israel, announced promising results from the first human clinical trials demonstrating transdermal delivery of human parathyroid hormone 1-34 fragment (hPTH 1-34)...

Thursday Mar 30, 2006
Sodium Hyaluronate Effective in Chronic Shoulder Pain
Injections of sodium hyaluronate may be an effective and safe alternative to cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of chronic shoulder pain... Blaine TA, et al. Presented at: 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; March 22–26, 2006; Chicago, Ill. Abstract 426.

Monday Mar 20, 2006
Single Injection of GDF-5 May Repair Degenerated Discs
A single injection of recombinant human growth and differentiation factor (GDF-5) may induce recovery of intravertebral disc height... Presented at: 52nd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society; March 18–22, 2006; Chicago, Ill. Abstract 14.

Tuesday Mar 14, 2006
Study Associates Meniscal Damage With Advanced Cartilage Loss in Early OA
Meniscal tears and malposition result in cartilage loss in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis... Hunter DJ, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:795-801.

Wednesday Mar 08, 2006
Acupuncture Provides Clinically Relevant Benefits for Chronic Low Back Pain
Acupuncture—either sham or real—is beneficial in treating patients with chronic low back pain... Brinkhaus B, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2006:166;450-457.

Thursday Mar 02, 2006
Denosumab Shows Promise in Phase II Study of Bone Mineral Density
Twice yearly injections of denosumab (previously known as AMG 162) significantly increased bone mineral density in the total hip, lumbar spine, distal 1/3 radius, and total body of postmenopausal women compared with placebo... McClung MR, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:821-831.

Wednesday Mar 01, 2006
Effects of IV Steroids for Treatment of Acute Sciatica Are Transient
Intravenous steroids reduce pain in patients with severe acute discogenic sciatica, although the improvement is small and transient... Finckh A, et al. Spine. 2006;31:377-381.

Wednesday Mar 01, 2006
CombinatoRx Drops Its Phase IIa Oral Product Candidate (CRx-140) for Psoriasis; Drug Candidate CRx-102 Demonstrates Positive Phase II Study Results in Hand Osteoarthritis
CombinatoRx Inc, of Boston, Massachusetts, announced the discontinuance of its phase IIa drug candidate, CRx-140...

Thursday Feb 23, 2006
GAIT Results Show No Benefit of Glucosamine With Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination did not reduce pain in the overall group of patients with knee osteoarthritis, although the supplements in combination may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe pain... Clegg DO, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:795-808.

Monday Feb 13, 2006
DOV Initiates Phase II Trial of Analgesic Bicifadine in Osteoarthritis
DOV Pharmaceutical, Inc, of Hackensack, NJ, announced the start of its phase II clinical trial of bicifadine, a novel analgesic...

Tuesday Feb 07, 2006
NSAIDs More Effective Than Acetaminophen in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe OA Pain
Acetaminophen reduces pain from hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more effective in patients with moderate to severe OA pain, although individual risk factors need to be considered when choosing a therapy. Towheed TE, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(1):CD004257.

Monday Feb 06, 2006
Explicit Appropriateness Criteria Predicts Joint Replacement Success

Knee and hip arthroplasty patients who were considered appropriate candidates for joint replacement surgeries fared better than those who were considered inappropriate candidates, according to new research seeking to identify the best criteria for total knee and hip replacement... Quintana JM, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:220-226.

Friday Feb 03, 2006
Seal Oil May Lead to Subjective Improvements in Psoriatic Arthritis
Seal oil, rich in omega-3s, may improve psoriatic arthritis patients' global assessment of their disease, suggesting a trend toward a decrease in the number of tender joints, possibly due to seal oil's anti-inflammatory effects... Madland TM, et al. J Rheum. 2006;33:307-10.

Friday Jan 27, 2006
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibition Improves Raynaud's Disease
New research adds to evidence that because of their vasodilatory properties, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors may be a useful therapeutic option for the treatment of Raynaud's disease... Caglayan E, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:231-233.

Friday Jan 13, 2006
Increases in the Synthesis and Degradation of CTX-II Biomarkers May Predict OA Progression
Biomarkers of type II collagen synthesis and degradation may predict rapid progression among patients with knee osteoarthritis... Garnero P, et al. Presented at: 10th World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI); December  8-11, 2005; Boston, Mass. Abstract A6.

Wednesday Jan 11, 2006
NicOx Initiates Phase III for HCT 3012, Naproxen Derivative for Osteoarthritis
NicOx SA, a French biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of nitric-oxide-donating drugs to treat inflammation, pain, and cardio-metabolic disease...

Monday Jan 09, 2006
Yoga Superior to Self-Care Book or Regular Exercise for Low Back Pain
Yoga is more effective than either instruction from a self-care book or a traditional exercise program at improving function and reducing medication use among patients with chronic low back pain. Sherman KJ, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2005;143:849-856.

Thursday Jan 05, 2006
New Study Suggests Raloxifene May Benefit Women with Knee Osteoarthritis
A recent study of women with knee osteoarthritis (OA) found that treatment with raloxifene resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the excretion of key markers of cartilage degradation, pointing to the potential curative effect of this agent and long-term improved outcomes for patients with knee OA... Daniluk S, et al. Presented at: 10th World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI); December 8–11, 2005; Boston, Mass. Abstract P67.

Wednesday Jan 04, 2006
Oral Calcitonin May Delay Onset of Joint Disease and Relieve Pain of OA
Although calcitonin is an established antiresorptive agent, new research suggests that it also has a role in chondroprotection and may help relieve symptoms accompanying joint disease... Sondergaard BC, et al. Presented at: 10th World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI); December 8–11, 2005; Boston, Mass. Abstract P133.

Wednesday Dec 21, 2005
EMG May Be Better Than MRI at Diagnosing Spinal Stenosis
Because it can test nerve function and determine the presence of nerve damage, electromyogram testing may be more effective than magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing spinal stenosis as well as detecting neuromuscular diseases that mimic stenosis... Haig AJ, et al. Spine. In press.

Sunday Dec 18, 2005
Etanercept May Be Effective for the Depression and Fatigue of Psoriasis
A new phase III trial has found that the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor etanercept not only improves the clinical manifestations of psoriasis but also relieves the fatigue and depression associated with the disease. The findings point to the role higher concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α have in major depressive symptoms…. Tyring S, et al. Lancet [serial online]. December 15, 2005.

Friday Dec 16, 2005
Novel Gout Drug Febuxostat More Effective Than Allopurinol in Lowering Urate Levels
New data from a phase III trial show that febuxostat, a next-generation nonpurine selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor and the first new agent for gout in 40 years, is significantly more effective than standard doses of allopurinol in lowering serum uric acid levels to <6.0 mg/dL... Becker MA, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:2450-2461.

Wednesday Dec 14, 2005
Emisphere's Oral Drug Delivery Technology (Eligen®) Successful With Oral Salmon Calcitonin for Osteoarthritis
Emisphere Technologies, Inc, of Tarrytown, New York, has announced that an independent pilot study of daily salmon calcitonin therapy...

Tuesday Dec 13, 2005
Rheumatologists Need to Become More Familiar with New Pain Management Techniques
Rheumatologists need to increase their awareness of new pain management techniques and strategies, which not only focus on improved function and rehabilitation, but also on the underlying mechanisms at the molecular level... Fitzcharles MA, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:3685-3692.

Monday Dec 05, 2005
Trials Demonstrate That Earlier Use of DMARDs and MTX Improve Juvenile Arthritis Outcomes 
Earlier use of second-line medications such as methotrexate or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in juvenile arthritis may account for the improved outcomes that rheumatologists have observed in recent years…  Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 126.

Friday Dec 02, 2005
New Gout Drug PEG-Uricase May Benefit Severe, Refractory Patients
A new study has found that multiple doses of PEG-uricase, a novel polyethylene glycol conjugate of porcine uricase (urate oxidase), has shown substantial and sustained reductions in plasma urate levels in patients with severe, refractory gout... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 1836.

Wednesday Nov 30, 2005
Pfizer to Pay Up to $803 Million for Incyte CCR2 Antagonists for Chronic Inflammation
Pfizer Inc and Incyte Corporation have entered into a global collaborative research and license agreement...

Tuesday Nov 29, 2005
Leading Rheumatologists Sound Off on Limitations of GAIT Study
The initial results of the $14 million National Institutes of Health Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial failed to show any real benefit for patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis, leaving many rheumatologists in a quandary about what they should tell patients regarding the use of these readily available supplements... Clegg DO, et al. Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 622.

Tuesday Nov 22, 2005
RA Patients Less Likely to Take Prophylactic Aspirin Despite Increased MI Risk
Despite a growing body of evidence suggesting that the inflammation that is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increases a patient's risk of myocardial infarction or stroke, RA patients are less likely to take prophylactic aspirin than RA-free controls. These findings call attention to the need for rheumatologists to address this discrepancy in care... Presented at: the 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif. Abstract 1904.

Wednesday Nov 16, 2005
Osteoporosis Drug Risedronate May Have Disease-Modifying Effects in Osteoarthritis
High doses of risedronate (Actonel®) may protect against subchondral bone loss in knee osteoarthritis patients with progressive joint space narrowing... Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; November 12–17, 2005; San Diego, Calif.

Wednesday Nov 16, 2005
Cerimon Pharmaceuticals Acquires Topical NSAID and Secures $70 Million in Series A Financing
Cerimon Pharmaceuticals, Inc, of South San Francisco, California, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutics in the areas of autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and pain, announced that it has acquired the US rights to market and sell two topical formulations of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac.

Tuesday Nov 01, 2005
NSAIDs Plus Aspirin Increase Risk of Gastrointestinal Complications
Patients who combine ibuprofen and naproxen with aspirin are two to three times more likely to suffer gastrointestinal complications than patients who do not combine these common over-the-counter medications...Biskupiak J, et al. Presented at: American College of Gastroenterology 70th Annual Scientific Meeting; November 2, 2005; Honolulu, Hawaii.

Monday Oct 31, 2005
Regular Physical Activity May Strengthen Knee Cartilage
A novel magnetic resonance imaging technique used in a new study suggests that human articular cartilage can adapt to physical load, and that modest exercise improves knee cartilage glycosaminoglycan content in patients at risk for developing osteoarthritis …  Roos EM, Dahlberg L. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:3507-3514.

Tuesday Oct 25, 2005
Combining X-Rays and MRIs Can Lead to Earlier Diagnosis of Spondyloarthritides
Combining data from X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging scans may lead to earlier detection of spondyloarthritides in patients presenting with recent-onset inflammatory back pain. Heuft-Dorenbosch L, et al. Ann Rheum Dis [serial online]. October 11, 2005.

Monday Oct 24, 2005
Studies Outline Weaknesses of DAS28 as Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessment Tool
Two new studies add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the disease activity score-28 (DAS28), a tool often used to determine the intensity of antirheumatic therapy, is not an appropriate gauge of remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Monday Oct 24, 2005
Endogenous Opioids May Not Be Effective in Chronic Pain
Activating endogenous opioids may not be an effective way to treat chronic pain, according to an experimental study in male rats with chronic- and acute-induced arthritis. Li Z, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:3210-3219.

Thursday Oct 20, 2005
Novel Hereditary Cartilage Debonding Syndrome Identified
Researchers have identified a new cartilage friability and osteochondral debonding syndrome that may provide insight into cartilage-bone interaction in other forms of joint degeneration ... Holderbaum D, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:3300-3304.

Tuesday Oct 18, 2005
Fatigue in Lupus Linked to Depression and Pain, but Often Missed by Standard Disease Assessment Tools
New research suggests that depression, pain, and perceived lack of social support are often-overlooked predictors of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)—findings that may lead to a better understanding of psychosocial factors and a more specific therapeutic target for the treatment of this debilitating disease... Jump RL, et al. J Rheumatol. 2005;32:1699-1705.

Friday Sep 23, 2005
FDA Issues "Non-Approvable Letter" for Pfizer's Injectable COX-2 Drug
Just 1 week after receiving a nonapprovable letter for their new osteoporosis drug lasofoxifene (Oporia), Pfizer Inc announced Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a nonapprovable letter for parecoxib sodium, an injectable COX-2 inhibitor used to treat acute pain in the postsurgical setting... Pfizer receives FDA non-approvable letter on parecoxib [press release]. PR Newswire; September 20, 2005.

Thursday Sep 22, 2005
US FDA Issues Nonapprovable Letter for Pfizer's Injectable COX-2 Inhibitor
A nonapprovable letter from the US Food and Drug Administration was received by Pfizer Inc for parecoxib sodium, an injectable COX-2 inhibitor used to treat acute pain after surgery...

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.

Monday Sep 19, 2005
Abuse-Resistant Oxycodone Clears Trial
Remoxy, a new oxycodone compound, may change the tide of abuse by making injection or snorting difficult due to its sticky, high-viscosity formulation...

Tuesday Sep 13, 2005
Two New Treatments Show Promise in Paget's Disease
Zoledronic acid and osteoprotegerin found to be promising new therapies for the management of Paget's disease... Reid IR, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:898-908; Cundy MD, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:918-923.

Tuesday Sep 06, 2005
Aromatase Inhibitors Linked to Arthralgias
With increasing use of aromatase inhibitors as both a breast cancer treatment and preventive agent, rheumatologists should be aware of associated joint pain and musculoskeletal aching... Felson DT, Cummings SR. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2594-2598.

Thursday Sep 01, 2005
RA May Be Becoming Milder With Time
New research suggests that rheumatoid arthritis may have become a milder disease in recent years, perhaps due to more aggressive treatment... Welsing PMJ, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2616-2624.

Monday Aug 29, 2005
Short-Term Acupuncture Found to Relieve the Pain, Fatigue, and Anxiety of Fibromyalgia
Following the results of a study indicating that acupuncture has no effect on fibromyalgia (FM), new research suggests that short-term acupuncture does improve symptoms of pain, fatigue, and anxiety in FM patients. Presented at the 11th World Congress of the International Association for the Study of Pain in Sydney, Australia...

Tuesday Aug 23, 2005
MRI Data Show Etanercept Reduces Spinal Lesions in AS, but Questions Remain
Etanercept therapy leads to the regression of spinal lesions in active ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis... Rudwaleit M, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64:1305-1310

Monday Aug 15, 2005
Abbott's Humira Approved in Europe for Psoriatic Arthritis and Early RA
Abbott Laboratories has received approval from the European Commission to market Humira^R...

Tuesday Aug 09, 2005
FDA Approves Celebrex for Ankylosing Spondylitis, and an Added Boxed Warning
Pfizer's selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor Celebrex (celecoxib) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the relief of the clinical signs and symptoms associated with ankylosing spondylitis

Thursday Aug 04, 2005
Scientists Develop New Technique to Grow Bone In Vivo
In a development that one day may revolutionize spinal and knee-replacement surgery and the treatment of osteoporosis, researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, have demonstrated for the first time that healthy new bone can be grown in one part of the body to repair bony defects at another location... Stevens MM, et al. In vivo engineering of organs: The bone bioreactor. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2005; scheduled to appear online before print. Available at: http://www.pnas.org/.

Thursday Jul 28, 2005
Parkinson's Drug Shows Initial Promise in Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia patients taking pramipexole, a dopamine₃-receptor agonist, reported decreased pain and fatigue and improved function and global status compared with study participants taking placebo... Holman AJ, Myers RR. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2495-2505.

Monday Jul 25, 2005
Government Crackdown on Palladone and Fentanyl Continues to Fuel Fear of Prescribing Pain Medication
Withdrawal of Palladone in the US, the advisory report issued on the fentanyl patch, and the continued DEA scrutiny of doctors who prescribe opioids and other narcotic analgesics may have a chilling effect on the optimal use of these agents for the relief of acute and persistent pain.

Tuesday Jul 19, 2005
Acupuncture Provides Short-Term Benefits in Knee OA
Acupuncture improves pain and functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), but only in the short term... Witt C, et al. Lancet. 2005;366:136-143.

Friday Jul 08, 2005
Weight Loss Reduces Knee Joint Load
Losing just one pound results in a four-fold reduction in knee joint load in overweight and obese patients with OA of the knee... Messier SP, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2026-2032.

Wednesday Jul 06, 2005
Radiological Grade, High Global Assessment, and Past NSAID Use Strongly Predictive of Hip OA Joint Replacement
Patients with OA of the hip who presented with a radiological grade of III or IV, a high mean global assessment during the first 6 months, and previous treatment with NSAIDs have a stronger likelihood of undergoing total hip replacement surgery... Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64:1028-1032

Thursday Jun 30, 2005
Doxycycline Slows Osteoarthritis Disease Progression
New study results confirm preclinical data suggesting that doxycycline can slow joint space narrowing in the medial tibiofemoral compartment in knee osteoarthritis, but the common antibiotic did not affect pain...Brandt K, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:2015-2025

Tuesday Jun 28, 2005
Botox Injections Improve Symptoms in Patients With Raynaud's Phenomenon
Injections of botulinum toxin type A may accelerate the rewarming process by inhibiting vasoconstriction in patients with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon... Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.

Monday Jun 13, 2005
EULAR Report: Developments in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis Using TNF-α Inhibitors
Studies of low-dose regimens, the effects of discontinuation, and 52-week data from an initial study of adalimumab highlight the results presented at EULAR on the use of TNF-α inhibitors in the treatment of AS...Presented at Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.

Friday Jun 10, 2005
Treatment of RA Reduces Cardiovascular Mortality
Analysis of a large RA database reveals that treatment with MTX or anti-TNF-α drugs causes a significant decrease in mortality, specifically in death due to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease... Presented at: Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.

Thursday Jun 09, 2005
Dr. Gary Williams Weighs in on the Coxib Controversy
Gary Williams MD, PhD, chairman of the department of medicine at Scripps Clinic Medical Group, and co-chair of the symposium Clarifying the Risk/Benefit of COX-2 Selective Inhibitor Use at the 6th EULAR Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, spoke with CIAOMed on Wednesday regarding the current controversy over the fate of the COX-2 inhibitors

Thursday Jun 09, 2005
A Conversation at EULAR: Dr. Ricard Cervera on Biologics and Pregnancy
The preeminent immunologist comments on the increasing use of TNF-α inhibitors and other biologic drugs-particularly among women, who bear the brunt of autoimmune disease-and the concern about their potential effects on pregnancy... Cervera R. Annual European Congress of Rheumatology of EULAR; June 8-11, 2005; Vienna, Austria.

Tuesday Jun 07, 2005
Radiographic Assessment Effective in Predicting Progression of Hip Osteoarthritis
A Kellgren and Lawrence score of 2 or higher at baseline is a strong predictor for progression of hip OA, particularly in patients with hip pain...Reijman M, et al. BMJ. 2005;330:1183-1188.

Monday Jun 06, 2005
Trials Outline Effective Strategies for the Use of Existing Therapies in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Four new studies highlight ways to use non-steroidals, biologics, and methotrexate in ankylosing spondylitis. Marzo-Ortega H, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 May 26; [Epub ahead of print].

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.

Tuesday May 24, 2005
Rehabilitation Is as Beneficial and More Cost-Effective Than Spinal Fusion in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients
Contrary to previous reports and often physicians' advice, rehabilitation utilizing cognitive behavior principles is as effective as fusion for chronic low back pain, and should be offered as a first-line therapy...Fairbank J, et al. BMJ. May 23, 2005; [Epub ahead of print].

Tuesday May 17, 2005
Study Suggests That Standardized Criteria Are Needed to Gauge Remission in RA
Rates of remission vary by criteria, but experts agree that new standards should include both clinical and radiographic measures. Mäkinen H, et al. J Rheumatol. 2005;32:796-800.

Tuesday May 10, 2005
Exercise Benefits Chronic, but Not Necessarily Acute Nonspecific Back Pain
Two meta-analyses reveal that for lower back pain lasting longer than 6 weeks, individualized exercise therapy programs are effective for reducing pain and improving function...Hayden, JA et al. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:765-775

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.

Friday Apr 29, 2005
Interleukin-1 Blockade Potentiates Morphine Efficacy and Prevents Tolerance
New results in mice indicate that inhibition of IL-1 signaling may also prevent side effects by allowing the use of lower doses of opiates...Shavit Y, et al. Pain 2005;115:50-59.

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 25, 2005
Novel Osteoinductive Molecule May Speed Fracture Healing and Enhance Spinal Fusion
A newly discovered osteoinductive protein promises greater specificity than bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)...UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science [press release]. April 21, 2005.

Tuesday Apr 12, 2005
New Lupus Public Service Campaign Seeks to Raise Awareness and Speed Diagnosis
The Lupus Research Institute and other organizations hope the new campaign will alert patients to the often vague signs and symptoms of lupus earlier in the course of the disease...Lupus Research Institute [press release]. April 6, 2005.

Friday Apr 08, 2005
Thalidomide May Play a Role in Treatment of Refractory Radiculopathic Pain
Banned from use in the 1960s due to its teratogenic effects, thalidomide is being reexamined as a treatment for inflammatory and other types of disorders... Presented at the 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Massachusetts

Thursday Apr 07, 2005
FDA Orders Valdecoxib (Bextra) Withdrawn, Citing No Added Advantage
The agency also mandated black box warnings for celecoxib and stricter label warnings on traditional NSAIDs, including over-the-counter products... US Food and Drug Administration teleconference April 7, 2005.

Monday Apr 04, 2005
Analgesic Drug Pipeline, Though Relatively Dry, Poised for Revitalization
Despite a relative paucity in the current analgesic pipeline, a greater understanding of complex pain processes, pharmacogenetics, and new diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets, including assays and biomarkers, may open the doorway to more effective therapies, as well as better use of existing treatments...Presented at: 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Mass.

Friday Apr 01, 2005
Better Communication Skills May Help RA Patients Cope with Pain
Two new studies looking at stress and psychosocial functioning in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have found that individuals who have difficulty expressing their thoughts and emotions have greater disease activity and pain than their more communicative counterparts...Presented at: 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Massachusetts.

Friday Apr 01, 2005
Injectable Capsaicin Formulation Safe and Effective in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients
In the search for alternatives to coxibs, traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioid analgesics, preliminary data suggest that injectable capsaicin is safe and well tolerated in patients with osteoarthritic knee pain, without the side effects of systemic treatments...Presented at: 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Mass.

Thursday Mar 31, 2005
Lidocaine Patch May Be as Effective as Oral Medications for Improving Osteoarthritis Pain
As physicians seek alternatives to coxibs, traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, a new study suggests that lidocaine patches may play a role in treating localized knee pain due to OA...Galer B, et al. Presented at: 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Massachusetts.

Thursday Mar 31, 2005
Opiate Abuse Increasing Among Pain Patients As Well As Nonmedical Users
Opiate abuse and diversion are on the rise and, despite commonly held beliefs, they are also common among chronic pain patients; buprenorphine may be a new tool to curb misuse...Presented at: 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society; March 30-April 2, 2005; Boston, Massachussetts.

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.

Monday Mar 14, 2005
Hyaluronate Injection Improves Function of Arthritic Ankle
Investigator-initiated pilot study indicates that sodium hyaluronate provides sustained relief of pain and improved function in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the ankle...72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; February 23-27, 2005; Washington, DC.

Saturday Mar 12, 2005
Genzyme Acquires a Second-Generation Cartilage Repair Product; Buys Back Rights to SynviscR
Genzyme Corp has acquired Verigen AG, a private German company that has developed a proprietary cell-therapy product for cartilage repair.

Wednesday Mar 09, 2005
First CINOD Fails to Show Gastrointestinal Protection in Osteoarthritis Trial
Despite promising preclinical data, an experimental COX-inhibiting nitric oxide donator does not cause fewer ulcers than naproxen in osteoarthritis patients; Astra Zeneca shuts down the project...Lohmander LS. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64:449-456

Monday Feb 28, 2005
New Minimally Invasive Knee Arthroplasty Techniques Present Promise, Challenges
Direct-to-consumer marketing has spurred patient demand for minimally invasive joint replacements, but widespread application of these procedures is limited by a lack of experienced surgeons and of data supporting their use... The 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; February 23-27, 2005; Washington, DC.

Friday Feb 25, 2005
Outpatient Arthroplasty May Become the Standard of Care
With minimally invasive surgical techniques, an increasing number of total joint replacement procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis...72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; February 23, 2005

Friday Feb 25, 2005
Obese and Overweight Patients Tend to Gain Weight After Lower Extremity Arthroplasty
A new study counters the assumption that obese and overweight patients with hip or knee arthritis will lose weight after arthroplasty...72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, February 23-27, 2005.

Friday Feb 25, 2005
New Findings Show Improved Outcomes With Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization
A new military study shows that arthroscopic shoulder stabilization performed through puncture wounds yields similar results with fewer complications and less operative time than traditional open surgery ... 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; February 23, 2005.

Friday Feb 18, 2005
Public Outcry Over Embattled Pain Relievers at FDA Advisory Panel Hearing
Some called for the withdrawal of all coxibs, while others pleaded for a return of the withdrawn rofecoxib (Vioxx) during public testimony at the FDA advisory meeting... US FDA Joint Meeting of the Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee; February 17, 2005.

Thursday Feb 17, 2005
Anti-CCP Antibodies Detected in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients
New research suggests that the specificity of this marker may lead to more precise diagnostic criteria for this broad spectrum disease...Vander Cruyssen B, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005. [Epub ahead of print]

Monday Feb 07, 2005
"Blackberry Thumb" Emerging as Common Ergonomic Complaint
Reports suggest that rheumatologists may see an increase in cases of de Quervain's tenosynovitis as a result of overzealous blackberry use...

Friday Feb 04, 2005
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Face Higher Risk for Congestive Heart Failure and Unrecognized Coronary Heart Disease
Two population-based studies suggest that the heightened risk of heart disease may be attributed to the systemic inflammation that characterizes RA rather than traditional risk factors&Nicola PJ. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:412-420; Maradit-Kremers H. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:402-411.

Monday Jan 31, 2005
New Research Highlights Generation Gap, Ethnic Divide Among Chronic Pain Patients
While African Americans experience more pain and related negative effects than do caucasians, young adults across both ethnic groups do not cope as well with chronic pain as do their older counterparts...Baker TA, Green CR. Pain Med. 2005;6:29-38.

Tuesday Jan 25, 2005
Three New Studies Further Elucidate Risks and Benefits of Coxibs
Newly published study findings from CRESCENT show that rofecoxib significantly increases 24-hour blood pressure after 6 weeks of therapy, while celecoxib and naproxen do not; two other published studies address COX-2 risks and benefits... Sowers JR, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:161-168.

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.

Thursday Jan 20, 2005
New Bone Imaging Technology May Give DEXA a Run for Its Money on Earth -- and in Space
New ultrasound bone imaging device, which measures bone strength and rate of bone loss as well as bone density, could become the standard for osteoporosis assessment... National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Houston, Texas.

Tuesday Jan 18, 2005
One-Third of US Adults Including Growing Numbers of Arthritis Patients Turn to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
In response to continued use of these products, rheumatologists are urged to become more aware of nonprescription medications and drug-herb interactions...Tindle HA. Altern Ther Health Med. 2005;11:42-49.

Tuesday Dec 21, 2004
Cancer-Prevention Trial Reveals Elevated Cardiovascular Risk Associated With Celebrex
National Cancer Institute study results, which showed a heightened cardiovascular risk versus placebo among patients taking the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib at up to 4 times higher than recommended doses, runs counter to recent evidence that the agent may have cardioprotective properties in some arthritis patients... Kimmel SE, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142(3).

Thursday Dec 16, 2004
Pfizer's COX-2 Agent to Include Updated Risk Warnings on Label
The FDA announces important new information on risks of CV adverse events in some postsurgical cardiac patients and potentially life-threatening skin reactions associated with use of valdecoxib...US Food and Drug Administration. December 9, 2004.

Monday Dec 13, 2004
New Studies Confirm Efficacy and Tolerability of Once Daily Lumiracoxib for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
New clinical trials data on the efficacy and tolerability of lumiracoxib (PrexigeR) provide evidence that the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor taken 100 mg daily offers reduced pain intensity in the target knee compared to placebo while improving the functional status of patients' osteoarthritis of the knee...Lehmann R, et al. Presented at: The 9th World Congress of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International; December 2-5 2004; Chicago, Illinois.

Wednesday Nov 24, 2004
Gender Bias May Exist in the Recognition and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Men
Although men have higher vertebral fracture rates than women, they may not get screening and treatment for osteoporosis as often or as early... Sawka AM, et al. J Rheumatol. 2004;31:1993-1995.

Tuesday Nov 23, 2004
Large National Survey Shows Importance of Anxiety Disorders in the Psychopathology of Pain Syndromes
Recent findings add to an emerging body of data suggesting that anxiety may have a stronger association with arthritis and other pain conditions than depression& McWilliams LA, et al. Pain. 2004;111:77-83.

Thursday Nov 18, 2004
Questionnaire Helps Screen for Risk of Opioid Misuse Among Chronic Pain Patients
Self-administered screening tool may increase physicians' comfort level with identifying long-term opioid candidates at low-risk for aberrant drug behavior, as well as those at higher risk...Butler SF, et al. Pain. 2004;112:65-75.

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.

Thursday Nov 04, 2004
Next generation COX-2 Inhibitor Arcoxia Receives FDA Approvable Letter
Final approval of etoricoxib must await FDA review of additional safety and efficacy data... Baraf HSB, et al. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; San Antonio, Tex.

Wednesday Nov 03, 2004
Merck Withdraws NDA for COX-2 Inhibitor Arcoxia

Just days after receiving an FDA "approvable letter", the company has withdrawn the new drug application for etoricoxib until additional safety and efficacy data are available...

Tuesday Nov 02, 2004
Patients' Readiness to Self-Manage Chronic Pain Associated With Improvement in Treatment Protocols and Coping Skills
Interventions to increase chronic pain patients' motivation is shown to increase patient engagement in pain treatment and contribute to improved long-term outcomes…Jensen MP, et al. Pain. 2004;111:84-95.

Wednesday Oct 27, 2004
Anti-TNF Drugs Appear to Show Benefits in Most Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients and May Also Improve Psoriatic Arthritis
Recent study findings indicate that ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis may respond well to infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab... Rudwaleit M, Sieper J… Z Rheumatol. 2004;63:193-202.

Wednesday Oct 27, 2004
Anti-TNF Drugs Appear to Show Benefits in Most Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients – and May Also Improve Psoriatic Arthritis
Recent study findings indicate that ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis may respond well to infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab... Rudwaleit M, Sieper J… Z Rheumatol. 2004;63:193-202.

Wednesday Oct 20, 2004
Adalimumab Markedly Reduces Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
Striking benefits are shown for psoriatic arthritis patients' skin and joint symptoms with adalimumab vs placebo... Mease PJ, et al. Presented at Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 19, 2004; San Antonio, Texas

Wednesday Oct 20, 2004
New Phase III Trial With Abatacept Gives Hope to Methotrexate Nonresponders

A phase III clinical trial reported that nearly half of rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving monthly injections of the T-cell inactivator abatacept achieved at least a 50% reduction in symptoms... Kremer J, et al. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 19, 2004; San Antonio, Texas.

Tuesday Oct 19, 2004
Glucosamine Supplements Show Demonstrable Benefit for Osteoarthritis Symptoms

A newly released report from the World Health Organization documents the disease-modifying clinical endpoints that support the efficacy of this well-known over-the-counter medication... Bruyere O et al. Poster presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 19, 2004; San Antonio, Tex.

Tuesday Oct 19, 2004
Oral Contraceptives Appear to Be Safe for Most Lupus Patients
Findings from 2 new studies have potential to reverse previous approaches to contraception for women with SLE …. Petri M, et al. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 18, 2004; San Antonio, Tex.

Tuesday Oct 19, 2004
APPROVe Study Shows Two-Fold Increased Risk of Coronary Events with VIOXX

Cardiovascular events in the placebo arm of the trial appeared to stop occurring after 18 months, while they continued among patients taking rofecoxib, according to the first detailed report of the drug's withdrawal ...

Monday Oct 18, 2004
You Were Right! The Weather Does Affect Joint Pain
A large-scale study correlates arthritis pain with weather data finding the effect of cooler weather a weak but significant factor in pain... McAlindon TE, Formica MK, Fletcher J, Schmid S. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology; October 18, 2004; San Antonio, Tex. Abstract 596.

Monday Oct 18, 2004
Study: Acupuncture Relieves Knee Pain
Acupuncture may provide significantly more relief of osteoarthritis knee pain than conventional interventions, according to new study…

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.

Monday Oct 04, 2004
FDA Approves Etanercept as Pre-Filled Syringe, Infliximab as First-Line Therapy for Moderate to Severe RA

The FDA has approved etanercept (Enbrel) as a pre-filled syringe formulation for once weekly use, and granted approval for a supplemental labeling change stating that the medication can induce a major clinical response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In another regulatory decision, the FDA has approved the use of infliximab (Remicade) in combination with methotrexate as a first-line treatment for patients with RA.

Tuesday Sep 21, 2004
Potential Osteoarthritis Biomarker Found
Elevated levels of CTX-II, type II collagen-derived fragments, may be an indicator of the presence and progression of OA.

Tuesday Sep 14, 2004
Focus Groups Show RA Patients' Views of Anti-TNF Therapy

RA patients on anti-TNF therapy have differing expectations of therapy, depending on their background and self-education. They also may experience benefits beyond those typically measured in clinical trials. (Marshall NJ, et al. Rheumatology. 2004;43:1034-1038.)

Tuesday Aug 31, 2004
Primary Care Physician Survey Shows Back Pain Highly Prevalent, Often Involves Spasm
Acute back injuries often have a spasmodic as well as an inflammatory component; treating both expedites recovery.

Monday Aug 30, 2004
Studies Point to Genetic Susceptibility for Knee Osteoarthritis
(Neame RL, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63:1022-1027; Valdes AM, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50:2497-2507.)

Wednesday Jul 14, 2004
Mycobacterial Vaccine Less Effective than Immunotherapies in Treatment of PSA

Friday Jun 11, 2004
Pain Management Remains a Key Component to Treatment of Inflammatory Conditions
Understanding the mechanisms involved in chronic pain and treating it as effectively as possible is a crucial component to the management of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disease...