Susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex; although a number of genetic susceptibility loci have been identified that appear to confer increased risk. Among these, genes encoding sequence variants in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule, known as the “shared epitope” (SE), have been known for decades and have the strongest link to RA susceptibility.
Arthritis News
Evidence Suggests the Pain in Fibromyalgia is Real
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Early Safety Study of Atacicept Shows Promise in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Atacicept is a recombinant fusion protein that binds and neutralizes two molecules important for the maturation, proliferation, and survival of B cells: BLyS and APRIL. While B-cell depleting therapies have demonstrated efficacy in RA, atacicept differs from the anti-CD20 targeted monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, as its effects extend over the entire lineage of B lymphocytes, including plasma cells.
Are TNF-Inhibitors Safe for Use in HIV Infected Patients?
HIV infected patients are at the same, or even greater, risk for developing inflammatory arthritis. However, the nature of their chronic infection and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infection have prompted most clinicians to avoid using TNF inhibitors in this patients population, even in settings in which their use would otherwise be appropriate, since only a few case reports have been published detailing treatment experiences.
Group Exercise, Education, and Combination Self-Management in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Trial
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Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis related to change in Synovitis
Knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA) tends to be poorly correlated to degree of cartilage loss. Other factors related to knee OA, including bone marrow edema and synovitis, may be more proximal determinants of pain in knee OA. Synovitis is usually quite limited in knee OA and difficult to quantify on physical exam. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a more sensitive technique for assessing synovitis in knee OA.
