Psoriasis Awareness Month
August 1, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
August is Psoriasis Awareness month. Psoriasis is a skin disease but it can also lead to a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. As with rheumatoid arthritis psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation and pain in the joints, can can cause disability.
Here are some posts regarding psoriasis:
Efalizumab for Psoriasis May Trigger Psoriatic Arthritis
Press Release: FDA Committee Unanimously Recommends Approval of Ustekinumab for Plaque Psoriasis
Press release: New Guidelines for the Management of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Biologic agents for treatment of psoriasis
Press release: Ustekinumab Phase 3 data show long-term improvement of chronic plaque psoriasis
Press release: Humira (adalimumab) Receives FDA Approval For Moderate to Severe …read more
Too good to be true? "Half new patients with RA become pain free within 36 weeks"
June 14, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Ok folks, another study on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs); what are we going to make of it?
According to a press release issued by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), “At least 50% of recent onset rheumatoid arthritis patients achieve remission (a state free of signs and symptoms) within 36 weeks when following a systematic approach of step-up DMARD treatment in combination with tight control.”
This finding, presented at the annual congress, was based on this guideline:
Methotrexate 15mg/week was initiated following diagnosis
If remission was not achieved at week 8, the dose was increased to …read more
2 new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis approved in Japan
April 22, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Although I mean to make this blog as wide-reaching as possible, most of the news I find is geared towards North America and sometimes Europe and Australia/New Zealand. It’s not from the lack of trying – I do search for news elsewhere.
Today I found that there are two medications now approved for use in Japan to treat the pain and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. For those living with pain caused by RA, this is – hopefully – good news.
Abbott Announces HUMIRA® (adalimumab) Approved In Japan For The Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Actemra Approved In Japan To Treat Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
~~~~~~~~~
