Link to the Show / Show NotesArthritisCentral News and Views #9 (10 MB)
- Focus on early rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Concerns about the development of disability in RA
- Role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the damage seen in RA
- RANKL (Rank ligand), its role in the destructive changes seen in the joints, and its relationship to TNF.
- Ways to evaluate patients early on to identify more aggressive forms of the disease.
- The importance of lab tests, x-rays, and MRI studies.
- Use of disease modifying drugs (DMARDS) and biologic therapies in treating RA aggressively and early in the course of this disease.
- The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has sent out a "Dear Doctor" letter to rheumatologists informing them that they are protesting the FDA's decision to place a black-box warning on all NSAIDS including over-the-counter medicines.
- There is additional patient information about NSAIDS at the ACR website at rheumatology.org. This includes emphasis on assessing individual patient risk for cardio-vascular disease or gastro-intestinal side effects.
- The ACR calls on the FDA to change the way they communicate to doctors and to the public. Are the people at the FDA just "covering their butts" with this black-box warning?
- Review of a report indicating that not all patients are taking their prescribed medications due to concerns about efficacy, safety, and cost.
- Are arthritis patients going to get the "shaft" with the new Medicare drug benefit plan, which goes into effect in January of 2006
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