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| Obesity Increases Symptom Severity in Fibromyalgia Patients -  According to a Mayo Clinic study published in the February 2012 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, there is an association between body mass index (BMI) and severity of symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. There were 888 fibromyalgia patients involved in the study. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires about their symptoms and ability to function. Obesity (BMI more than 29) was common in half of the study group, while one-fourth were severely obese (BMI more than 35).
As BMI increased, fibromyalgia-related symptoms increased and quality of life decreased. There has been no definite causal link between obesity and fibromyalgia, but among people who have fibromyalgia, obesity may cause increased pain and decreased function. Weight management should be a goal for fibromyalgia patients.
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Photo © A.D.A.M. Obesity Increases Symptom Severity in Fibromyalgia Patients originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 19:37:56. Permalink | Comment | Email this |
| Risk of Non-serious Infection Increases With Steroid Use for Rheumatoid Arthritis -  It is known that oral glucocorticoid therapy, such as prednisone or prednisolone, increases the risk of serious infection (infection leading to hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, disability or death). There have not been many studies that evaluated the risk of non-serious infection though. Study results published February 1, 2012 in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases concluded that glucocorticoid therapy is associated with an increased risk of non-serious infection. The risk was found to increase with dose and is greater than the risk for non-serious infection associated with methotrexate.
The findings are significant since approximately one third of patients with rheumatoid arthritis currently use glucocorticoids and two thirds of rheumatoid arthritis patients have used glucocorticoids at some point. While steroids dramatically improve symptoms, safety has always been a concern.
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Photo © Gold Standard Risk of Non-serious Infection Increases With Steroid Use for Rheumatoid Arthritis originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Sunday, February 5th, 2012 at 19:28:58. Permalink | Comment | Email this |
| Bugged by Joint Deformity Related to Arthritis? -  Joint deformity is characteristic of certain types of arthritis. Ulnar deviation (joint deformity of the hand) is often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Since it's visible, it can be a telltale sign that someone has the disease. Other joints may be associated with deformity besides the hands. For example, the knees may have a valgus or varus deformity (knock-kneed or bow-legged).
Have you developed joint deformity since being diagnosed with arthritis? Does the deformity interfere with how well you can use the affected joint? Is the deformity visible or easily concealed? Has it affected how you feel about yourself? Share Your Feelings in Bugged by Joint Deformity Related to Arthritis?
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Photo by Stan Rohrer (iStockphoto) Bugged by Joint Deformity Related to Arthritis? originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 13:36:43. Permalink | Comment | Email this |
| Sedimentation Rate - What Is It? -  Blood tests help doctors diagnose arthritis and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. One of the most common tests ordered is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, also known as ESR or sedrate. Your doctor may order this test during your initial consultation and during follow-up appointments.
If you have a basic understanding of the sedimentation rate -- how it's performed and what the results indicate -- it will be more meaningful than just a random number. Learn more in Sedimentation Rate - What Is It?
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Photo by endostock (stockxpert) Sedimentation Rate - What Is It? originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 23:56:57. Permalink | Comment | Email this |
| Arthritis Medications - Are They Working? -  Doctors typically prescribe arthritis medications to help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. There are several categories of arthritis medications: NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), analgesics (pain medications), DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), biologics, and corticosteroids.
I don't know anyone who likes to take medication or wants to take it, but people with arthritis tend to be compliant with their treatment regimen. With the best of intentions, they take their prescribed medication hoping it will be effective. It almost becomes robotic. You take your medications or self-inject or go for an infusion on a specified schedule. But, when is the last time you stopped to think about how well your medications are working? Are they working? Did they used to work better and now don't seem quite as effective? How can you tell? Read more in Arthritis Medications - Are They Working?
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Photo by David Sucsy (iStockphoto) Arthritis Medications - Are They Working? originally appeared on About.com Arthritis on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 23:42:43. Permalink | Comment | Email this |
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