Thursday, November 30, 2017

November Rheumatology Network Articles

My assignments for Rheumatology Network include reporting on recent scientific studies about rheumatoid arthritis and other related diseases. This month I also covered sessions and abstracts for the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting.

Although these articles are intended primarily for a physician audience (and thus can get a bit technical and jargon-y) I know patients are also interested in scientific advances - so I still want to share links to these articles! But if you ever have additional questions, please don't hesitate to let me know!

A recent systematic review of literature found no validated and widely accepted biomarker.

Up-to-date guidelines were developed to help improve patient outcomes.

The pros and cons of using biosimilar medications shaped the "Great Debate" at this year's ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting.

The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting provided a research update on surrounding issues and strategies for helping patients.

New evidence is reassuring for women with rheumatoid arthritis who need treatment with a biologic throughout pregnancy.

The role of legalized marijuana in society and evidence-based medicine was examined at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting.

Some physicians have shown reluctance to use these agents for patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and a previous cancer diagnosis.

With a drug holiday, patients with rheumatoid arthritis could improve their response to influenza vaccinations without increasing disease activity.

National initiatives are designed to provide education, advance research, solve the opioid crisis, and help patients.

This tool may be used to reduce stressors, improve well-being, and decrease symptoms. 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Seven Strategies for Facing RA Morning Stiffness

Unfortunately, one symptom many people living with RA face is morning stiffness. Thankfully, there are ways to manage this symptom. 

Read more at NewLifeOutlook RA

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating tomorrow! I partnered with Antidote to make this video explaining one thing I am feeling particularly thankful for this year. (You can check out the full length video here).


One of the reasons I have so many more options during this pregnancy is thanks to moms who came before me and contributed their data to various studies on medication safety during pregnancy - including my own data from my second pregnancy! I recently learned at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in San Diego that the data my second son and I contributed to a Mother to Baby study was used to show that there is no increased risk of serious infections in infants after birth when the mother used a TNF inhibitor to control their RA during pregnancy! So it is exciting both to contribute and to benefit from this research.

If you are potentially interested in learning more about medical research in your area, check out Antidote's search feature!

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Gel to Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Scientists have developed a potentially therapeutic gel, which could target nitric oxide, absorb excess fluids, and deliver medications directly to affected joints.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

October Rheumatology Network Articles

My assignments for Rheumatology Network include reporting on recent scientific studies about rheumatoid arthritis and other related diseases. Although these articles are intended primarily for a physician audience (and thus can get a bit technical and jargon-y) I know patients are also interested in scientific advances - so I still want to share links to these articles! But if you ever have additional questions, please don't hesitate to let me know!

This modality may enhance the diagnostic workup of patients with early arthralgia at risk for inflammatory arthritis.

Exposure to cold environments has been linked to disease development, and new findings may help prevention.