Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
The epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is influenced by a number of factors, including survival, changes in diagnostic tools, and temporal trends in environmental factors that may promote or protect from disease. Here, Myasoedova et al (Arthritis Rheum 2010; 62(6): 1576) explore the trends in RA incidence and prevalence over 50 years in a population-based [...]
On June 2, 2010, the Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended approval of denosumab, which will be marketed under the trade-name Prolia, for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. The drug was also recommended for the treatment of bone loss in men receiving hormone suppressive therapy for prostate [...]
Knee alignment may be different during walking than when at rest. Prior studies have identified varus thrust, a worsening of bow-leg alignment that occurs only during the weight bearing phase of walking, as a risk factor for developing knee osteoarthritis (OA). Valgus thrust, or knock-knee alignment during walking, may also increase the risk of knee [...]
Leflunomide use during early pregnancy is associated with fetal malformations in animal studies and is classified as a pregnancy category X by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, little is known about pregnancy outcomes in humans exposed to leflunomide in early pregnancy, particularly in those who receive “wash-out” with cholestyramine (a drug sequestrant). Here, [...]
Recently, it has been recognized that a subset of T cells producing the cytokine IL-17 contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Animal studies have suggested that blockade of IL-17 may reduce the inflammatory signs and symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and reduce bone erosion. Here, Genovese et al report Phase I/II data for LY2439821, [...]
