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Utilizing meditation to reduce stress has shown promise in alleviating some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

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While early, aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can result in increased costs for medications and short-term outpatient services, it substantially improves disease symptoms and, ultimately, reduces long-term medical expenditures for these patients.

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Despite the proven advantages bisphosphonate therapy offers in reducing fractures, complications of dosing are discouraging women with osteoporosis from taking the medication.

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The health and survival of patients with lupus has improved significantly over the last three decades, a trend that could be attributed to earlier diagnosis and more aggressive treatment.

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Adalimumab, an anti-TNF agent often used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to be effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.

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Continued observation in a long-term study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis shows an increase in work force participation by those using anti-TNF therapy.

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A new treatment called febuxostat, the first new gout treatment in 40 years, may be superior at lowering levels of serum uric acid in patients with gout compared to allopurinol and placebo.

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The combination of teriparatide (Forteo(t)), an injectable parathryoid hormone medication, when administered with the selective estrogen receptor modulator, raloxifene (Evista (r)), improves bone density formation, according to research.

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Strontium ranelate, a new oral medication on the horizon, may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis, according to research.

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A novel treatment administered semiannually to postmenopausal women with low bone density appears to rapidly inhibit the bone resorption process, resulting in improvements in bone mineral density at 12 months, according to research.

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Preliminary results of a one-year study of adalimumab (HUMIRA (tm) ) indicate that this treatment for adults with rheumatoid arthritis also may provide rapid and substantial responses in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, according to research.

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Children with juvenile arthritis have long-term improvement in joint pain and swelling when treated with leflunomide or methotrexate, drugs commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults, according to research.

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The expenses for medical care for those with arthritis are at least double the amount spent by those without this debilitating disease, according to research.

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COX-2 agents, with their perceived reduction in side effects, have contributed substantially to a dramatic increase in NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) prescription utilization and influenced the way physicians prescribe rheumatology medication, according to research.

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Pneumococcal vaccinations help to protect patients with rheumatoid arthritis against serious pneumococcal infections of the lungs, brain, blood, and ears , according to research.

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The efficacy of treatment with etanercept (Enbrel(r)), already credited with rapid clinical improvements sustained for up to two years in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, has now been extended to as long as four years, according to research.

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Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking the commonly-prescribed steroid, prednisone, run a significantly higher risk of contracting pneumonia than do those on biologic medications, according to research.

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Surprisingly, the use of COX-2 therapy does not decrease the number of prescriptions written for ulcer prevention medications such as proton pump inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, according to research.

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Even when X-rays are normal, knee pain can be due to osteoarthritis, according to research.

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Increased vitamin D levels appear to improve muscle strength and physical function for vitamin D-deficient patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to research.

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Genetics play a stronger role in the development of severe osteoarthritis than environmental factors, according to research.

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By comparing two sets of independently collected data, experts finally have been able to substantiate that changes in barometric pressure and temperature really do cause aches and pains for arthritis sufferers, according to research.

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Traditional Chinese acupuncture - the use of fine needles inserted into the skin at precise points - in conjunction with medical treatment reduces pain and improves function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to research.

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Oral contraceptive use does not cause disease flare in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, according to research.

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The use of combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only oral contraceptives (minipill) and copper intrauterine devices (IUD) appear to produce the same level of risk for disease activity and flares in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, known as lupus, according to research.

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Pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the lungs, is often not diagnosed in patients with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease despite its being a major disease complication and leading cause of death in this patient population, according to research.

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A new antibody, still under development, that neutralizes transforming growth factor, TGF beta 1, in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis has proven to be well tolerated for the patients who participated in a recent trial, according to research.

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An investigational new drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for thousands of patients with scleroderma, lupus, and other associated connective tissue diseases, according to research.

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Rheumatoid arthritis patients with a genetic variation of a protein called TNF (tumor necrosis factor) may experience increased joint damage, according to research.

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Identifiable genetic factors may pre-dispose rheumatoid arthritis patients to common infections, according to research.

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TNF inhibitor therapy, which has proven successful in reducing inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, may increase the risk of serious post-operative infections when taken prior to orthopedic surgery, according to research.

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Rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving the recommended starting dose of infliximab have no more serious rate of infections than do patients taking methotrexate alone; however, patients undergoing induction and treatment with a high dose have more problems with infections, according to research

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Two studies demonstrating the long term safety and effectiveness of two anti-TNF agents -- etanercept and adalimumab -- in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will be presented this week.

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The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation today announced a program designed to encourage research careers in rheumatic medicine. This new program "“ made possible by a $3 million grant from Centocor "“ supports a fellowship program for young physicians.

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The mechanical stress of chopstick use is associated with prevalent osteoarthritis of the hand, according to research presented this week. The study recruited 2,507 60-year-old residents from random Beijing neighborhoods.

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Despite the availability of medications to decrease the fracture risk that comes with long-term corticosteroid treatment, fracture risk remains elevated, suggesting that preventive treatments are underused.

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Prevention of back pain in women with osteoporosis can last up to 18 months beyond the end of treatment with teriparatide, a new medication used to treat osteoporosis, according to research presented this week.

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Reduction in fracture risk from risedronate, a medication commonly used to treat patients who have osteoporosis, is seen even in patients who have only small improvements in bone mass, according to research presented this week.

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A successful program to improve rheumatology-based management and coordination of osteoporosis care can serve as a model for other institutions, according to research presented this week.

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A new treatment may be safe and effective for children who suffer from systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a severe form of arthritis affecting tens of thousands of children, according to research presented this week.

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The injection of an agent designed to combat rheumatoid arthritis into the knees of patients with osteoarthritis of this joint appears to be safe and may provide relief from pain for days, according to research.

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A new treatment was shown to be as effective as a standard treatment with potentially fewer side effects for patients with lupus nephritis, a kidney disorder complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, according to research.

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A new treatment exists for the thousands of people who experience painful and disabling open sores on their hands and toes related to a condition known as systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), according to research.

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A blood test to determine the presence of certain antibodies may accurately predict the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis in certain people, according to research presented this week.

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Patients receiving doxycycline plus methotrexate as first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis showed greater improvement than patients on methotrexate alone, according to research presented this week.

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Alefacept plus methotrexate treatment yielded encouraging results for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis, according to research presented this week.

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Hospitalization rates for three severe complications related to rheumatoid arthritis have decreased, which is an indicator that the outcomes associated with the disease are improving, according to research.

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People with early stage rheumatoid arthritis should receive aggressive care in order to achieve better outcomes, according to research presented this week.

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Baseline results of the blood test for C-reactive protein are a good predictor of the risk of death from heart disease in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis, indicating a direct link between C-reactive protein and cardiovascular disease, according to research presented this week.

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Long-term systemic, or widespread, inflammation experienced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis leads to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to research presented this week.