ArthritisCentral News and Views #16 -- 06/30/05

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DATE : Thu, 30 Jun 2005 11:34:02 -0500
Entered in Database : 2005-06-30 16:34:02
length : 12562560
Link to the Show / Show Notes

• A study out of England addresses the relative interest of patients in assuming greater control over their own treatment management.
  
  
• The severity of their rheumatic condition and the age of the patient are two different factors in whether patients want to be given this control.
  
  
• New American College of Rheumatology guidelines regarding the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are discussed.
  
  
• Options include low dose Celebrex, traditional NSAIDS in conjunction with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), or non-acetylated salicylates.
  
  
• High risk patients with prior ulcer disease or GI bleeding, or in patients on Coumadin therapy are a major concern.
  
  
• Climbing the ladder of pain medications (analgesics) is another alternative to NSAIDS. For more information, see Step 3 in Take Back Control of Your Arthritis: The 12 Critical Steps (available at www.ArthritisMall.com).
  
  
• The negative effects of discontinuing exercise in depressed individuals are presented. The positive benefits on depression from increasing the frequency of an active exercise program are discussed. The improvement with exercise can rival the results with anti-depressant medication.
  
  
• Investigators are now questioning the wisdom of prior recommendations regarding avoidance of sun exposure due to renewed interest in increasing patients' vitamin D levels. Vitamin D may not only protect against osteoporosis, but also may play a role in the prevention of certain forms of cancer.
  
  
• Conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome versus a surgical approach to this condition are compared.
  
  
• Dr.Rutstein takes a call from a patient with osteoarthritis, lumbar disc disease, and a total knee replacement.
  
  
• The patient describes problems with continued pain in the operated knee and this is briefly discussed.
  
  
• Her positive attitude comes across in the interview as she describes her battle with breast cancer, in addition to her osteoarthritis.
  
  
• Recent gastro-intestinal problems with Mobic and improvement with a proton pump inhibitor medication are reviewed.
  
  
• The patient feels that the knowledge that she gained from reading Take Back Control of Your Arthritis: The 12 Critical Steps regarding medications for the treatment of arthritis has helped her immensely.
  
  

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