ScienceDaily: Joint Pain News

Study points to role of nervous system in arthritis

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:19:19 EDT

Reducing levels of nerve-growth factor may be a key to developing better pain treatments.

Weather conditions do not affect fibromyalgia pain or fatigue

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:46:46 EDT

Weather conditions including temperature, sunshine, and precipitation have no impact on fibromyalgia symptoms in female patients, study suggests. Results suggest, however, that individual patients may be sensitive to some changes in the weather.

Discovery shows fat triggers rheumatoid arthritis: Paves way for new gene therapies

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:30:30 EDT

Scientists have discovered that fat cells in the knee secrete a protein linked to arthritis, a finding that paves the way for new gene therapies that could offer relief and mobility to millions of people worldwide.

New Canadian guidelines for treating fibromyalgia

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:24:24 EDT

Physicians have published a review article to help family doctors diagnose and treat fibromyalgia. The article represents the first time researchers have published Canadian guidelines to help manage the condition.

Regular, moderate exercise does not worsen pain in people with fibromyalgia

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:55:55 EDT

For many people who have fibromyalgia, even the thought of exercising is painful. Yet a new study shows that exercise does not worsen the pain associated with the disorder and may even lessen it over time.

Some visible signs of Lyme disease are easily missed or mistaken

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:25:25 EDT

With Lyme disease season now beginning, doctors are urged to consider Lyme disease as the underlying cause when presented with skin lesions that resemble conditions such as contact dermatitis, lupus, common skin infections, or insect or spider bites, especially where Lyme disease is endemic. New analysis establishes patients with those symptoms, rather than the classic Lyme "bulls-eye" lesion, to have been infected with the Lyme bacterium.

Knee bracing can 'significantly' reduce pain of kneecap osteoarthritis, study suggests

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:39:39 EDT

Wearing a knee brace has been shown to “significantly improve the pain and symptoms” of a type of osteoarthritis affecting the kneecap, according to a new study.

Low testosterone levels may herald rheumatoid arthritis in men

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:01:01 EDT

Low testosterone levels may herald the subsequent development of rheumatoid arthritis in men, new research suggests.

Alcohol, fibromyalgia, and quality of life

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:46:46 EDT

Low and moderate drinkers of alcohol reported lower severity of symptoms of fibromyalgia than teetotallers, finds a study. Too much alcohol reversed this effect. The chronic pain of fibromyalgia is thought to affect one in 20 people worldwide but there is no known cause or cure. It often goes hand in hand with fatigue and sleep problems, headaches, depression and irritable bowel and bladder problems. Treatment is based around pain management and lifestyle changes.

Weight loss may prevent, treat osteoarthritis in obese patients

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:38:38 EST

Weight loss may prevent and significantly alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, a progressive disease of the joints known as "wear and tear."

Important control mechanism behind autoimmune diseases discovered

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:56:56 EST

Researchers have discovered a new control mechanism in our immune system. The discovery is of potential significance to the treatment of serious diseases such as MS (multiple sclerosis), rheumatoid arthritis, and SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus).

Double-jointed adolescents at risk for joint pain, study finds

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:03:03 EST

A prospective study by U.K. researchers found that adolescents who are double-jointed-- medically termed joint hypermobility -- are at greater risk for developing musculoskeletal pain as they get older, particularly in the shoulders, knees, ankles and feet.

Drugs to treat fibromyalgia just as likely to harm as help, review finds

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:41:41 EST

Among fibromyalgia patients taking either of two commonly prescribed drugs to reduce pain, 22 percent report substantial improvement while 21 percent had to quit the regimen due to unpleasant side effects, according to a new review.

Rheumatism: Scientists improve arthritis treatments

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:54:54 EST

Scientists have presented a new therapy approach for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic form of joint inflammation. The new therapy study was especially directed at patients who showed no adequate response to conventional treatment with tumor-necrosis-factor directed reagents (anti TNF). The new approach represents a combined form of treatment with the medication Methotrexat and Tofacitinib.

Rheumatoid arthritis prevented in mice: Infusions of regulatory T cells turn off autoimmune attack on joints

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:47:47 EST

Scientists have demonstrated a new strategy for treating autoimmune disease that successfully blocked the development of rheumatoid arthritis in a mouse model. They say it holds promise for improved treatment of arthritis and other autoimmune disorders in people.

Scientists find a key element of lupus, suggesting better drug targets

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:46:46 EST

Scientists have identified specific cellular events that appear key to lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease that afflicts tens of millions of people worldwide. The findings suggest that blocking this pathway in lupus-triggering cells could be a potent weapon against the disease.

Immune cell 'survival' gene key to better myeloma treatments

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 14:55:55 EST

Scientists have identified the gene essential for survival of antibody-producing cells, a finding that could lead to better treatments for diseases where these cells are out of control, such as myeloma and chronic immune disorders. They discovered that a gene called Mcl-1 is critical for keeping this vital immune cell population alive.

New target for rheumatoid arthritis drugs

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:20:20 EST

Researchers have identified a potential new target for drugs to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Efforts to develop drugs that hone in on this new target are underway.

Lupus drugs carry no significant cancer risk for patients, study suggests

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:40:40 EST

People who take immunosuppressive drugs to treat lupus do not necessarily increase their cancer risk according to new research. This study addresses long-standing fears of a link between lupus medication and cancer.

Gene's role in rheumatoid arthritis uncovered: Findings pave way for new treatments

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:34:34 EST

Research sheds new light on why certain people are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis -- paving the way to explore new treatments for both arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Immune cell death defects linked to autoimmune diseases

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:16:16 EST

Researchers have discovered that the death of immune system cells is an important safeguard against the development of diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which occur when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.

Men with fibromyalgia often go undiagnosed

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:27:27 EST

Fibromyalgia is a complex illness to diagnose and to treat. There is not yet a diagnostic test to establish that someone has it, there is no cure and many fibromyalgia symptoms -- pain, fatigue, problems sleeping and memory and mood issues -- can overlap with or get mistaken for other conditions. A new study suggests that many people who have fibromyalgia, especially men, are going undiagnosed.

Lenalidomide offers an effective alternative treatment for cutaneus lupus erythematosus, study suggests

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:31:31 EST

Although rare there are several treatments available for cutaneus lupus erythematosus (CLE). However other options are needed for people who do not respond to medication or relapse. A new study into the thalidomide derivative lenalidomide shows that treatment with lenalidomide is safe, with patients seeing an improvement in as little as two weeks.

Complications challenge RA patients after joint replacement surgery

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:37:37 EST

In the first systemic review of evidence assessing complications following total joint arthroplasty, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were found to have an increased risk for hip dislocation after hip replacement surgery compared to those with osteoarthritis.

Arthritis study reveals why gender bias is all in the genes

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:05:05 EST

Researchers have pieced together new genetic clues to the arthritis puzzle in a study that brings potential treatments closer to reality and could also provide insights into why more women than men succumb to the disabling condition.

Uranium exposure linked to increased lupus rate

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:37:37 EST

People living near a former uranium ore processing facility in Ohio are experiencing a higher than average rate of lupus, according a new study.

Genetic defense mechanism may offer biological clue to racial disparities in kidney disease

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:59:59 EST

Genetic changes that protected their ancestors against fly-borne parasites may partly explain why African-Americans with lupus are up to five times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease than those of European descent.

Researchers identify impact of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus on joint replacement surgery outcomes

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:36:36 EST

Two new studies have overturned common beliefs about joint replacement in patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients can get gout too, study finds

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:36:36 EST

Refuting a belief long held by many physicians, a new study found that rheumatoid arthritis patients also can get gout.

Autoantibodies could be a warning sign for cardiovascular disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:35:35 EST

The presence of autoantibodies in the blood may be connected to a higher risk of the development of cardiovascular disease, not just in individuals with diagnosed autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, but in the general population, according to new research findings.

Depression risk factor for mortality in rheumatoid arthritis; men most at risk

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:35:35 EST

Depression is higher in men and women with rheumatoid arthritis, and may increase mortality in this population, according to new research findings.

Biologics may prevent premature death in people with rheumatoid arthritis, study suggests

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:34:34 EST

According to new research, treatment with biologic medications may reduce the risk of premature death in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibromyalgia and the brain: New clues reveal how pain and therapies are processed

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:34:34 EST

According to new research, pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia may be caused by a problem with the way pain stimuli are processed in the brain. Abnormal pain signal processing may also be related to a lack of responsiveness to opioids, a common class of pain relievers.

Uranium exposure linked to high lupus rates in community living near a former refinery

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 15:58:58 EST

High rates of systemic lupus erythematosus have been linked to living in proximity to a former uranium ore processing facility in Ohio, according to new research findings.

Women with lupus have a higher risk for preeclampsia

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:28:28 EDT

New research reports that women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a two-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia —- a dangerous condition in which pregnant women develop high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in their urine (proteinuria) after 20 weeks of gestation.

Complementary and alternative therapy improved lives of arthritis patients, study suggests

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:13:13 EDT

Nearly a quarter of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis used complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) to help manage their condition, according to a new study.

Not all juvenile arthritis is the same

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:43:43 EDT

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is currently classified as a subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis but with the addition of systemic inflammation often resulting in fever, rash and serositis. New research shows that the arthritic and systemic components of SJIA are related, but that the inflammatory pathways involved in SJIA are different from those in the more common polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (POLY).

Vitamin D supplements may benefit lupus patients

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:39:39 EDT

A new clinical study provides preliminary evidence that vitamin D supplementation could be considered an immunomodulatory agent for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a debilitating autoimmune disease characterized not only by skin, joint, neurological and renal symptoms, but also by inflammation of tissue linings in the body.

Immunologists find a molecule that puts the brakes on inflammation

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:53:53 EDT

We couldn't live without our immune systems, always tuned to detect and eradicate invading pathogens and particles. But sometimes the immune response goes overboard, triggering autoimmune diseases like lupus, asthma or inflammatory bowel disease. A new study has now identified a crucial signaling molecule involved in counterbalancing the immune system attack.

Using antibodies against immune deficiency

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 09:29:29 EDT

Early, intensive therapy with a biotechnologically produced medication can provide significantly faster pain relief for patients with rheumatic joint inflammation. Damage to joints can also be reduced when the medication is applied right at the beginning of the illness, according to new research.

Topical NSAIDs provide relief from arthritis pain

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:14:14 EDT

For those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees or hands, applying topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- in the form of creams, gels and patches -- can bring weeks of pain relief, finds a new review.

Chronic pain costs U.S. up to $635 billion, study shows

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:11:11 EDT

Health economists have reported the annual cost of chronic pain in the United States is as high as $635 billion a year, which is more than the yearly costs for cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Precautions for tick-borne disease extend 'beyond Lyme'

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:23:23 EDT

This year's mild winter and early spring were a bonanza for tick populations in the eastern United States. Reports of tick-borne disease rose fast. While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, new research results emphasize that it is not the greatest cause for concern in most Southeastern states.

Raised antibody levels linked to greater long term risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:08:08 EDT

Men and women with raised levels of an antibody known as rheumatoid factor in their blood have up to a 26-fold greater long term risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds.

Surgeon, professor team in new approach to pain treatment

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:27:27 EDT

A chronic pain condition and numerous gastrointestinal disorders may all be caused by a virus. That's a Tuscaloosa-based surgeon's theory likely headed for a clinical trial early next year and one drawing support from a researcher who studies how viruses replicate.

Infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients: Study finds way to pinpoint risk

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:11:11 EDT

Rheumatoid arthritis alone is painful and disabling, but it also puts patients at higher risk of death. The greater susceptibility to infections that accompanies the autoimmune disorder is one reason.

Biting back against Lyme disease

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:09:09 EDT

Caused by a bite from an infected tick, Lyme disease has early symptoms that are unpleasant but respond well to antibiotics. However, if diagnosis is delayed or mistaken, the illness can take a serious turn, leading to severe joint pain, brain infection and paralysis. Now a researcher in the UK is on the trail of an accurate test that will enable quick and accurate detection of Lyme disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Discrepancies between patients and physicians in perception of rheumatoid arthritis quantified for first time

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:14:14 EDT

For people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, pain is the crucial factor in their personal perception of the condition. The doctors treating them, however, assess the severity of the disease based on the swelling of the joints. This discrepancy often leads to conflict between patients and their physicians, as a study has now revealed in more detail for the first time.

New attack on pain caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:44:44 EDT

Medical researchers are working on a new therapy that can potentially control the pain caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Chronic exposure to staph bacteria may be risk factor for lupus

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:20:20 EDT

Chronic exposure to even small amounts of staph bacteria could be a risk factor for the chronic inflammatory disease lupus, new research shows.

Moderate drinking may reduce risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:54:54 EDT

Moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, suggests a new study.

Study sheds light on pregnancy complications and overturns common belief

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:05:05 EDT

Women who have a specific type of antibody that interferes with blood vessel function are at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and that other antibodies in the same family thought to cause pregnancy complications do not put women at risk, new research shows.

Increase in Lyme disease mirrors drop in red fox numbers

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:37:37 EDT

A continued increase of Lyme disease in the United States, once linked to a recovering deer population, may instead be explained by a decline of the red fox, researchers suggest in a new study.

New biomarker test predicts arthritis before symptoms appear

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:18:18 EDT

A research team has found a way to detect and predict arthritis before patients begin suffering from symptoms.

Delivery system for gene therapy may help treat arthritis

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:04:04 EDT

A DNA-covered submicroscopic bead used to deliver genes or drugs directly into cells to treat disease appears to have therapeutic value just by showing up, researchers report.

Regulatory immune cell diversity tempers autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:26:26 EDT

To stop rheumatoid arthritis, it takes the collective efforts of a diverse array of regulatory T cells and not just a T cell primed to handle the disease-causing self-antigen, according to researchers.

How stem cell therapy can keep the immune system under control

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:52:52 EDT

A new study outlines the specifics of how autoimmune disorders can be controlled by infusions of mesenchymal stem cells.

Change in attitude may ease chronic pain by aiding sleep, study suggests

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:43:43 EDT

Chronic pain sufferers who learn to dwell less on their ailments may sleep better and experience less day-to-day pain, according to results of research conducted on people with chronic face and jaw pain.

Obesity epidemic fueling rise in rheumatoid arthritis among women

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:28:28 EDT

Obesity and the painful autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis are each becoming more common, raising a logical question: Could one have something to do with the other? For women, it appears there is a link, researchers say.

Bartonella infection associated with rheumatoid illnesses in humans

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:18:18 EDT

A bacterium historically associated with cat scratch fever and transmitted predominately by fleas may also play a role in human rheumatoid illnesses such as arthritis, according to new research.