Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Rheumatology for April 2012. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Sleep Measures Do Not Predict Clinical Pain in Fibromyalgia
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with fibromyalgia, spatial extent of pain, pain aftersensation, and negative mood account for approximately one-third of the variance in clinical pain, but sleep measures do not significantly predict pain, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Pain.
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Early Menopause Ups Risk of Osteoporosis, Fractures, Death
THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- The occurrence of menopause before age 47 correlates with increased osteoporosis at age 77, increased incidence of fragility fractures, and increased mortality, according to a study published online April 25 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
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Pain Coping Ability Impacts Lupus Symptomology
MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Pain coping strategies can significantly impact the physical symptoms and psychological distress experienced by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to a study published online April 13 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Numerous Genetic Variants Linked to Bone Mineral Density
WEDNESDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Pooling the results of numerous studies, 56 genetic variants associated with bone mineral density have been identified, of which 14 are associated with fracture risk, according to a study published online April 15 in Nature Genetics.
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Low Gastroprotective Drug Adherence Ups Upper GI Events
MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- For patients taking cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs), low adherence to gastroprotective agents (GPAs) increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) complications, according to a study published online April 16 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
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Pain Correlates Most Strongly With Disability in Hispanics With RA
FRIDAY, April 13 (HealthDay News) -- For Hispanic patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), self-reported pain correlates most strongly with disability, according to a study published online April 5 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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More Gastro Events in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- The incidence of upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) events is higher among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as is the risk of mortality due to GI events, when compared to individuals without RA, according to a study published online April 1 in the Journal of Rheumatology.
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Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Lowers Health-Related QoL
FRIDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) have a substantial burden of illness and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) compared to the general population, and their HRQL is compounded by associated comorbidities, according to a study published in the March issue of The Spinal Journal.
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New Guidelines Issued for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- The 2008 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been updated for 2012, according to a special article published in the May issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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Exercise Training Improves Cardiac Parameters in Lupus
THURSDAY, April 5 (HealthDay News) -- For inactive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a three-month exercise training program is associated with improved chronotropic reserve and heart rate recovery, according to a study published online March 21 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Medical Malpractice Claims Incur Substantial Defense Costs
WEDNESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Defense costs for medical malpractice claims vary among specialties and are higher for claims that result in indemnity payments, according to a letter published in the April 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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More Than 40 Percent of Patients With RA Are Inactive
TUESDAY, April 3 (HealthDay News) -- More than 40 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are inactive, with lack of motivation and lack of belief in physical activity strongly related to inactivity, according to a study published in the April issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
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