Under the spotlight
What is undifferentiated connective tissue disease and why is more research needed? Dr Sarah Dyball reports
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is an uncommon autoimmune rheumatic condition that has a broad range of signs and symptoms.
People with UCTD have symptoms and lab test results which are not extensive or specific enough to meet criteria for a diagnosis of a defined connective tissue disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), Sjögren’s disease or myositis. Continue reading
Digital technology can forecast and manage chronic pain highlight Prof John McBeth & Dr Katie Druce
People living with musculoskeletal diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia, often have chronic pain. Good days and bad days are part of the picture as pain is unpredictable. Continue reading
The opioid pendulum: risks and benefits are a balancing act, reports Dr Meghna Jani
Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the most common reasons for prescribing opioid drugs such as codeine, tramadol, oxycodone and morphine. Whether it is knee pain, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia, it is likely that most of us know someone who has been on these pain medications.
Transitioning from paediatric to adult rheumatology services: Dr Jenny Humphreys highlights what is involved
Arthritis is usually considered a disease which affects older people, so it can come as a surprise that it also impacts some children from a very young age.
The future will see us identify biomarkers to improve rheumatoid arthritis treatment outcomes, outlines Dr Darren Plant, Iniobong Ekang and Megan Sutcliffe
A rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is no longer the millstone that people in the recent past experienced thanks to a plethora of new, effective treatments. But for some people, it takes time to find the drug that will bring their disease under control, and for an unlucky few, an effective long-term solution remains out of reach.
