New imaging techniques may offer hope for quicker and cheaper and less invasive imaging in people with rheumatoid arthritis, allowing disease activity and progression to be more closely monitored. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints and sometimes their internal organs, causing pain and disability. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause […]
Category: Rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammation raises the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with rheumatoid arthritis
Coronary heart disease is a common cause of death in people with rheumatoid arthritis, and may be linked to systemic inflammation. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart […]
In RA, etanercept can usually not be stopped, but in some patients who are doing well the dose may be reduced
Rheumatoid arthritis patients who have stable and improved symptoms should continue long-term maintenance treatment on full- or low-dose etanercept. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints and sometimes their internal organs, causing pain and disability. Etanercept is one of a group of medicines called biologics that are used to […]
New recommendations for treat-to-target in rheumatoid arthritis
Treating to target by measuring disease activity and regularly adjusting therapy results in the best outcomes for people with rheumatoid arthritis. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints and sometimes their internal organs, causing pain and disability. Treat-to-target is an important way of managing people with rheumatoid arthritis. Treating […]
No additional risk of breast cancer recurrence with TNF inhibitors
Breast cancer survivors receiving TNF inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis are not at an increased risk of their cancer recurring compared to those receiving other medicines. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. It is more common in older people, and affects both men and women. […]
Nurse-led programmes and patient self-assessment can improve outcomes for patients
Nurse-led programmes can help to identify comorbidities and train patients to monitor their disease activity, improving clinical outcomes. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. People with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of suffering from comorbidities (other diseases) such as heart attacks, heart failure […]
Smoking may cause worsening of disease in rheumatoid arthritis
Patients who smoke may experience earlier joint damage than ex-smokers or those who have never smoked. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. As the disease goes on, the joints can become damaged, a process referred to as radiographic progression because the damage can be […]
Inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors predict artery narrowing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to develop atherosclerosis if they have high levels of inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary […]
Low-dose methotrexate may be the best starting option for patients initiating treatment with adalimumab
Some medicines used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may have different efficacy and safety depending on the dose used. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. Methotrexate is commonly used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, both on its own and in combination […]
Short-term biologic treatment does not affect immune response to vaccination
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be up to date with routine vaccinations before beginning treatment with biologic medicines. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis naturally have an increased risk of developing infections due to the underlying disease, as well as […]
