National Arthritis Meeting 2004

Dr. Shiel, Editor of MedicineNet's Arthritis Overview, Offers Perspectives Of Interest On Topics From 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting of The American College of Rheumatology (held October 16-21, 2004)

It is critical to the health of patients with arthritis that such important research is occurring. Arthritis alone currently affects 15% of all Americans and the number affected will grow to 18.2% by the year 2020. It has dramatic effects on the function and well-being of hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

I want to highlight for you many of the reports and papers that led to my own excitement as they clearly are going to have an impact on the general public health.

Here, I will summarize reports on a variety of arthritis and rheumatism topics that I know you will find interesting. Click on each item from the Disease Index below for the summary of my coverage for that particular arthritis or rheumatism topic.

I hope you enjoy these reports! - Dr. Shiel

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis - Powerful new treatments reviewed (Remicade, Enbrel, and others). - Real research evaluating these potentially devastating forms of arthritis that affect 0.21% of Americans over age 15. Not uncommon forms of chronic pain in younger people.

Arthritis Drugs & New Medications - What's new, what's old, what's safe, what's not (Vioxx), what's coming.

Drug Withdrawn - Vioxx, A Perspective After National Arthritis Meeting - Vioxx, a drug that has been used to quiet inflammation of arthritis and relieve pain, was withdrawn from the market by its maker, Merck, on September 30, 2004.

Fibromyalgia - A new medicine treatment, herbal and acupuncture treatment, and association with sleep apnea -- Helpful tips for the 0.5% of men and 3.4% of women affected, representing 2% of Americans overall.

Gout - The latest real diet and new medications research -- Eye-opening information about a condition that causes suffering to 0.84% of all Americans.

Osteoarthritis - New Treatments, running and knees, water exercise, weather effects, acupuncture, and weight reduction for a disease affecting 21.1% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 75 years.

Osteoporosis - New drug treatments under study, x-rays inadequate for diagnosis. In the United States, more than 10 million people have osteoporosis of the hip and almost 19 million more have low hip bone density.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Summaries of new treatments (Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, and many more), associated complications, important preventative strategies reported on this form of arthritis that affects 1% of all Americans. Vioxx withdrawal addressed.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Medications, pregnancy, birth control pills, and controlling heart disease and stroke risks.

QUESTION

The term arthritis refers to stiffness in the joints. See Answer