Tofacitinib: A novel Janus kinase inhibitor is FDA approved as the first oral biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

FDA

Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) is the first of a unique class of oral kinase inhibitors to be FDA approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tofacitinib is a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes.

Staying Healthy with Arthritis: Body AND Mind

Brain

Depression and anxiety are more common among individuals with arthritis than among the general population. Yet, these mood disorders are still underdiagnosed and undertreated in arthritis patients despite data that depression and anxiety affect important outcomes such as functional ability, pain, and quality of life.

Challenges in Screening for Latent TB in Inflammatory Arthritis

Chest X-Ray

Screening for latent TB in patients with inflammatory arthritis who will be starting TNFα inhibitors is important to prevent complications of TB-reactivation. However, currently there is no ‘gold standard’ for the diagnosis of latent TB.

Pregnancy Concerns Among Women with Rheumatoid Arthirits and Lupus

Pregnancy

Many autoimmune diseases have a female predominance. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are no exception. Both of these diseases can affect young women in their reproductive years, but little is known about the impact of RA and SLE on a woman’s opinion regarding pregnancy or, further, how this translates into family planning.

Don’t Stop Exercising!

arthritis-news-exercising

It has been established that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have decreased muscle and increased fat compared to those without RA.