Injections of platelet-rich plasma are becoming increasingly applied in clinical practice for a number of indications, yet little high-quality systematic study of efficacy has been conducted. Platelets are a source of growth factors involved in tissue repair, supporting their application in injuries and wound healing. Here, de Vos et al (JAMA 2010; 303(2): 144) report [...]
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection not an Effective Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy
January 14, 2010 By
FDA Approves Tocilizumab for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
January 11, 2010 By
On January 8, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved tocilizumab (to be marketed under the trade name of Actemra) for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have had inadequate clinical responses to treatment with TNF inhibitors. Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the receptor for IL-6, [...]
High Disease Activity During Pregnancy Associated with Lower Birth Weight
December 15, 2009 By
Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity tends to improve during pregnancy, even when disease modifying agents are stopped. However, a minority of women with rheumatoid arthritis will continue to have active disease during pregnancy, and may require additional immunosuppression. Prior studies have yielded conflicting reports on the influence of active disease during pregnancy. Here, de Man et [...]
Surveillance Study Reports No Increase in Cancer Risk Over First Six years of TNF Inhibitor Use
November 30, 2009 By
While most observational studies have not demonstrated an increase in malignancy independently associated with TNF inhibitor use, a meta-analysis of short-term clinical trials data suggested an increase in malignancy risk occurring within months of initiating therapy with monoclonal antibodies directed against TNF-α (infliximab and adalimumab).
Study Explores the Prevalence of Psoriatic Arthritis Among Individuals with Psoriasis
November 13, 2009 By
Estimates of the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis among individuals with skin psoriasis have varied in the literature from between 2% to more than 40%, depending on the method of ascertainment and case definition used to define psoriatic arthritis.
