Opioids For Osteoarthritis: Problems Far Outweigh Benefits
Should you take opioid drugs for hip and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis? Probably not, suggests a new review of the best research on the subject. "We found that pain reduction with opioid treatment was small to moderate. Increasing the dosage did not appear to result in further pain reduction, " said lead review author Eveline NГ esch, a research fellow at the University of Bern in Switzerland. "However, patients taking opioids have large increases in risks of experiencing adverse effects and frequently stop taking opioids medications for this reason." The review appears in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.
Plexxikon Treats Initial Patient With First-in-Class Drug In Phase 1 Trial
Plexxikon Inc. today announced that dosing of cancer patients with PLX3397 has started in a Phase 1 clinical trial. PLX3397 is a novel, oral investigational drug for treating multiple diseases, including metastatic cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. PLX3397 is a highly selective kinase inhibitor that down-modulates macrophages, osteoclasts and mast cells-all cells derived from the immune system-as well as certain tumor cells that promote tumor growth and metastases to the bone. By targeting these cells and consequently, certain cytokines, PLX3397 has been shown to be effective in reducing circulating tumor burden, bone erosion and pain associated with such erosion, in preclinical cancer models.
New Survey Shows Devastating Impact Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain On Intimate Relations
A new survey of U.S. women living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) published reveals that RA has a clear emotional impact on people living with the disease, with loss of self-confidence seen in their sex lives, in the workplace, and in their social lives. Survey findings suggest that almost 60 percent of women living with RA in the U.S. feel less self confident in their sex-life and over a third consistently find intimate relations painful, or have even stopped altogether. The survey, sponsored by pharmaceutical company UCB, highlights that RA was a contributing factor to a quarter of divorces amongst women with the disease, and that 53 percent of the single women who responded to the survey have reported their RA is an additional obstacle in finding a life partner.
Metabolic Syndrome And Disease Costly In Working Population
Employees with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has greater health care costs and productivity losses and is more likely to report arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes and heart disease. This study examined the health care, pharmacy and short term disability costs of employees (N=3285) of a manufacturing corporation in 2004 and 2006 who did and did not have MetS and disease. The prevalence of MetS increased in this population from 29.8% in 2004 to 32.1% in 2006 and MetS was significantly associated with the incidence of arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, and heart disease with odds ratios ranging from 1.607 for chronic pain to 13.191 for diabetes. The costs of those with MetS and disease were 3.
New Report Reveals Inequality Of Patient Access Across Europe To Innovative Treatments For Rheumatoid Arthritis
European patients still face inequalities in access to the majority of innovative biologics treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Speed and levels of access depend on where patients live, a report published today. The proportion of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis who are treated with biologics can range from 30% in Norway to less than 1% in Bulgaria. "It is particularly appropriate that this report is published today, on World Arthritis Day", commented Brian Ager, Director General of EFPIA, the Federation of the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe. "It helps shed light on the reasons why patients face these inequalities in access to RA treatments.
Hope For Millions Who Suffer From Arthritic Pain
An expert network of doctors and research scientists is forming the world's first national centre for research into understanding pain in arthritis. Backed by medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign and The University of Nottingham, it will aim to improve treatments for arthritis - the most common cause of chronic pain - which affects more than ten million people in the UK. The charity has awarded funding of В 2.5m over five years and the University itself has pledged a further В 3m to support the Nottingham-based Arthritis Research Campaign National Pain Centre investigating mechanisms of pain in arthritis. Key partnerships with local NHS Trusts will further strengthen the new venture.
MedImmune Highlights Inflammatory Disease Portfolio At 73rd Annual Meeting Of The American College Of Rheumatology
MedImmune announced that researchers will present data on several inflammatory disease programs at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, from October 17 to 21, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Through our research into novel disease pathways involved in autoimmune disorders, we continue to fulfill our mission of using scientific excellence to deliver life-changing medicines for patients with rheumatic diseases, " said Anthony Coyle, PhD., vice president, head of respiratory, inflammation, and autoimmune disease research. "Representing some of our most recent progress, we are pleased to share data relevant to the development of new therapies for conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma.
Discovery Lays Groundwork For Better Understanding Of Protective Human Microbes In The Gut
Medical researchers have long suspected that obscure bacteria living within the intestinal tract may help keep the human immune system in balance. An international collaboration co-led by scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center has now identified a bizarre-looking microbial species that can single-handedly spur the production of specialized immune cells in mice. This remarkable activation of the immune response could point to a similar phenomenon in humans, helping researchers understand how gut-dwelling bacteria protect us from pathogenic bacteria, such as virulent strains of E. coli. The study, published in the Oct. 30, 2009, issue of Cell, also supports the idea that specific bacteria may act like neighborhood watchdogs at key locations within the small intestine, where they sense the local microbial community and sound the alarm if something seems amiss.
More Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Elect Joint Replacement Surgery Than Urban Recipients
Southern Illinois University researchers determined Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas were 27% more likely than urban recipients to have total knee or hip replacement surgeries. Researchers found women were more likely than men to undergo total joint replacement surgeries. Differences in elective joint surgeries between white individuals and minorities in both rural and urban areas were observed, but were less pronounced in rural settings. Full findings appear in the in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.
Adeona Announces Publication Of Results Of 160 Patient Phase 2 Clinical Trial Of Oral DnaJP1 For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX: AEN) announced the publication in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism of results of a 160-patient, six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial using the company's oral dnaJP1 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results of the study were originally presented at the 2008 American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting. The study was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Oral dnaJP1 is an orally active epitope-specific immunotherapeutic molecule derived from a family of heat shock proteins that contribute to autoimmune inflammation in RA patients. The publication entitled, "Epitope-specific immunotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis: Clinical responsiveness occurs with immune deviation and relies on the expression of a cluster of molecules associated with T cell tolerance in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot phase II trial, " can be found in the current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, Vol.