Rheumatoid Arthritis

Long Before Symptoms, Blood May Reveal Rheumatoid Arthritis

MONDAY, Feb.

Long Before Symptoms Blood May Reveal Rheumatoid Arthritis

MONDAY, Feb.

Actemra Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis

MONDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Actemra (tocilizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat rheumatoid arthritis among people who haven't responded to, or who cannot tolerate, other approved RA drugs, the agency said Monday.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Lowers Flu Shot Effectiveness

MONDAY, Jan. 11 (HealthDay News) -- New research offers a caution to rheumatoid arthritis patients who take the drug rituximab (Rituxan): The flu vaccine is safe, but it's ineffective during the first six months following treatment with Rituxan.

Household Insecticides May Be Linked to Autoimmune Diseases

MONDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests a link between women's exposure to household insecticides -- including roach and mosquito killers -- and the autoimmune disorders rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Exercise Helps RA Patients

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can benefit from exercise programs meant to improve strength and stamina, say Dutch researchers who reviewed eight previous studies involving 575 RA patients.

Based on their findings, "we would recommend aerobic capacity training combined with muscle strength training as routine practice for RA patients," lead researcher Emalie Hurkmans, of the Leiden University Medical Center, said in a news release, United Press International reported.

"But we need more research to establish the recommended length and type of exercise programs, whether patients need to be supervised and if these programs are cost effective," Hurkmans added.

Herb Shows Potential for Rheumatoid Arthritis

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- An ancient Chinese herbal remedy called "thunder god vine" helps reduce inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis, a new study shows.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Subsided When Depression, Inflammation Addressed

THURSDAY, Aug. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Treating both depression and inflammation can reduce severe pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Japanese researchers say.

TNF Blockers May Help Some With Rheumatoid Arthritis

THURSDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who respond poorly to standard treatment with methotrexate may benefit from additional treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, a Swedish study suggests.

Certain Arthritis, Crohn's Drugs May Raise Kids' Cancer Risk: FDA

TUESDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Drugs widely used to fight rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and other inflammatory disorders must now carry an updated "black box" warning label cautioning patients and doctors that the medicines may boost cancer risk in children and adolescents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday.