Scientists have had success treating a ‘neglected’ inflammatory disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, with a drug that could offer patients an alternative to steroids. The study, conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, describes a successful trial of sarilumab. The drug, approved in Britain to treat rheumatoid arthritis, blocked…
Parenting is hard at first – but rewarding. Add a chronic condition like RA to the mix, and that delicate balance between your self-care and your role as a parent can easily get lost. These tips and strategies can help you get through difficult days, manage your energy, and make meaningful memories with your family….
This study aimed to evaluate the steroid-sparing effect of tofacitinib in patients with RA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective study that evaluated the feasibility of a predetermined schedule for GCs discontinuation in patients initiating tofacitinib treatment. This showed that already 12 weeks after starting treatment, 30% of patients were…
When women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) plan to become pregnant, many worry about whether they should stop their medications, risking a flare-up of their disease, or continue taking medications and risk possible damage to the baby. About 50% to 75% will see their disease improve naturally during pregnancy for reasons yet unknown, while others may…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can find its way into every aspect of your life, including your sex life… You can still have a healthy sex life if you have RA… But you may need to find other ways that work best for you and your partner . WebMD I was recently interviewed for the WebMD article…
In a recent study published in the Scientific Reports Journal, researchers evaluated the risk of new autoimmune diseases in individuals with early psoriatic disease. Study: Risk of incident autoimmune diseases in patients with newly diagnosed psoriatic disease: a national population-based study. Image credits: Flystock/Shutterstock.com Background Psoriatic disease, which often includes psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, is…
Although chronic diseases are quite common (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 6 in 10 adults in the US have one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases), I’ve always had trouble finding tools that address the impact that chronic illness can have on relationships and intimacy….
From a recent study published in JAMA network openedresearchers analyzed the incidence and risk of autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Study: Autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders after COVID-19. Image credits: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com COVID-19 and autoimmunity The causative agent of COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),…
Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Although the exact cause of RA remains unknown, research has shown that the genetics of rheumatoid arthritis play an important role in its development. In this article, we will delve deeper into the genetics of RA, examining the key genetic markers…
The uncertainty associated with the diagnosis of a lifelong chronic disease can make it very difficult to make plans in advance. But living with a chronic illness shouldn’t mean giving up life goals that are really important to you… As an example of how to approach big life goals while living with a chronic illness,…
