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Genetic study of lupus could lead to personalised therapy options
Research into the genetic background of lupus will open the door for personalised treatments for the disease in the future, experts claim in Arthritis and Rheumatology.
DNA sequencing was used by experts in Australia to identify a gene variant responsible for causing lupus in girl now aged 10 years old. A mutation in the girl’s TREX1 gene was identified, which caused her cells to produce a molecule called interferon-alpha, which contributed to the development of her lupus. Continue reading
Higher body mass index may mean less rheumatoid arthritis progression
People with high body masses tend to see a reduced rate of disease progression when affected by rheumatoid arthritis, highlights research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
A total of 1,068 people with rheumatoid arthritis involved in clinical trials of a drug called golimumab had radiograph scans at the start of the study and then after 52 weeks and 104 weeks of treatment. MRI scans of the wrist and hand were obtained at regular intervals. Continue reading
Vascular event risk is higher in people with polymyalgia rheumatica
A common inflammatory condition experienced by older adults – polymyalgia rheumatica – has been found to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Research already shows that some inflammatory rheumatological disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout) are associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. But evidence has been mixed when it comes to one of the most common inflammatory rheumatological conditions, polymyalgia rheumatic, mainly because studies have been too small or of poor quality. Continue reading
Women’s weight gain from childhood to adulthood may influence ageing process
Women who have substantial changes in body mass index (BMI) from childhood to adulthood show signs of accelerated ageing in their DNA, says research published in PLOS One.
Telomeres are situated at the ends of chromosomes and their job is to protect our genetic data. They shorten over time and their length is thought to be a biological marker for ageing. Short telomeres are also linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Continue reading
Partial knee replacement is safer than total knee replacement but requires more revision
Partial knee replacement surgery is safer than total knee replacement according to a large UK study published in The Lancet.
Participants (from the National Joint Registry for England and Wales) comprised 25,334 people who had partial knee replacements and 75,996 who had total knee replacements. The data showed: Continue reading
