Juvenile Arthritis
Weather has tiny impact on fibromyalgia symptoms
People with fibromyalgia may not find that weather has an impact on their symptoms, says a study reported in Arthritis Care & Research.
A total of 333 women who had fibromyalgia for around two years and were aged on average47 years old were surveyed about their fatigue and pain symptoms for 28 days. Responses were linked to air temperature, amount of sunshine and precipitation, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity.
Analysis of the data suggested that weather variables had a small effect on pain or fatigue symptoms in 10% of cases. Continue reading
Two common painkillers increase heart problems
Taking two painkillers – ibuprofen and diclofenac – in high doses for a long period of time can slightly increase the risk of heart problems, says a large study published in The Lancet. And the risk for smokers and people who are overweight are even higher, found the team from the University of Oxford.
Scientists looked at records from over 353,000 people from 639 clinical trials to assess the impact of high-dose prescription levels of diclofenac (150mg) or ibuprofen (2,400mg) each day. Continue reading
Blend of silk and cellulose could provide scaffolding for stem cell therapy
Discovery of a blend of natural fibres – such as silk and cellulose – brings affordable and effective stem cell therapy for cartilage repair one step closer.
Scientists have been seeking a “smart material” to use as a matrix that stem cells can cling to as they grow. A team from the University of Bristol found an unexpected use for molecules of silk and cellulose when mixed with stem cells. Continue reading
Hydrogen sulphide reduces joint swelling
A gas identified with the smell of rotten eggs has been shown to reduce joint swelling by a team from the University of Exeter Medical School. A drug molecule that generates hydrogen sulphide reduces swelling and inflammation in arthritic joints and could pave the way for more effective treatments.
“Having a class of compounds which reduce inflammation and swelling when arthritis is already active is extremely exciting,” Prof Matt Whiteman says. “These molecules may also be useful in other inflammatory conditions, and even in the inflammatory aspects of diabetes and obesity.”
Many people with arthritis do not respond effectively to current treatments or experience negative side effects from medication. The research team hopes that future drugs based on hydrogen sulphide could be effective in treating arthritis without uncomfortable side effects.
Unravelling genetics of childhood arthritis
New genes have been found that could have a big impact on the future diagnosis and treatment of childhood arthritis.
Until now only three genes were known to be important in the development of childhood arthritis. But scientists have now looked at DNA from 2,000 children with childhood arthritis, compared it to samples from healthy people and found that 14 more genes play a part.
“To identify these 14 genetic risk factors is quite a big breakthrough,” explains Dr Anne Hinks who co-authored the research. “It will help us to understand what’s causing the condition, how it progresses and then to potentially develop new therapies.”
It is hoped that the study may help experts predict which children need specific treatment earlier and allow doctors to better control their pain and improve their quality of life.
