Generally, rheumatic diseases affect women more than men, although few exceptions exist. The ratio of women to men can be anywhere from 3:1 in rheumatoid arthritis and upwards of 7:1 or more for lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome, depending on which part of the world and study you are looking at. The exception to this female predominance is in a disease called ankylosing spondylitis, where there is male dominance. Not only do sex differences influence the overall prevalence of disease, but also influence onset and severity of autoimmune disease. Why is there a difference? This question is more diffic ..read more

For individuals living with rheumatic disease, chronic pain can be one of the more difficult symptoms to manage – leaving individuals to search for therapies and medications to live a more comfortable life. For some, opioids may be a helpful solution, but this option comes with risks. Chronic Pain in Rheumatology Rheumatic diseases may be a cause of pain, some more acute or flare driven and other more chronic pain, or pain that lasts more than 3 months. Some of the chronic pain syndromes are challenging and somewhat taboo to diagnose and manage, leaving some patients to question “who is managi ..read more

Gout is a term that is derived from the Latin word “gutta” which translates to “a drop”. In the 13th century, it was believed that gout resulted from a drop of evil humor or spirits affecting a vulnerable joint. Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the United States, affecting nearly 8.3 million individuals. It appears to be more prevalent in men (5.9%) than women (2%) and occurs due to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into tissue within the body and this occurs because of high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia). The risk of gout increases with advancing age ..read more

If you or a loved one are living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), you may be concerned about your ability to tolerate vaccines. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recently released new vaccine guidelines that provide important recommendations for individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, and other RMDs. Patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases are encouraged to receive the following vaccines annually: Flu vaccine Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine Shingles vaccine This is because these individuals are at an increased risk of com ..read more

Have you been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Over the years, patient care has changed significantly and advancements in RA treatments have improved the ability to control RA. Treatment has come a long way! RA is not curable, but it is very treatable—and it’s not just about medication. Once you are diagnosed with RA it is important to learn as much as you can about the disease and your treatment options. If you have RA, you and your rheumatologist will work together as a team to create your treatment plan to help you cope with and manage your symptoms. Treatment Goals It is essential ..read more

While some parents worry about keeping their three-year-old from touching a hot stove or skinning their knee, I worry about my daughter’s health insurer restricting her access to life-saving treatments. At just 21 months old, my daughter Sam was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). A rheumatic disease that attacks children’s organs and musculoskeletal systems, SJIA is diagnosed in about 10-20% of children with juvenile arthritis (JA). Sam’s disease led to multiple hospital stays, including a one-month stint in the pediatric ICU. Due to the difficult nature of treating ..read more

Communication between your doctors and healthcare providers promotes better health by ensuring that everyone is aware of your latest treatment plan. If communication is not promoted, then there can be gaps in the complete picture of the plan. Collaboration between your primary care provider, your rheumatologist, and any other specialists you may see promotes a better understanding of the medical problems and any changes. Information sharing and open communication helps your doctors have a shared understanding of your conditions. This also helps prevent malpractice and complications. Below are ..read more

In an era where there is a new supplement, herb, vitamin, or some other magic cure marketed at a rapid rate, it can be confusing and daunting to pick the right one for you. The alternative medicine market is a $100 billion industry globally and it is constantly growing. This means there is a supplement available for virtually any symptom. Headaches, sleep, skincare, weight loss, and even rheumatic diseases. Which supplement is best for my rheumatoid arthritis? What about osteoarthritis? Should I start with turmeric? Curcumin? What’s the difference? The truth is there is limited research data o ..read more

American College of Rheumatology Releases 2022 Rheumatic Disease Report Card More than 58.5 million American adults and an estimated 300,000 children have been diagnosed with a rheumatic disease. In recognition of Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and Simple Tasks have released the 2022 Rheumatic Disease Report Card: Raising the Grade on Rheumatology Care in America. The report card grades and ranks each U.S. state and the District of Columbia on factors that answer the question: “How easy it is to live well with a rheumatic disease in my stat ..read more

An estimated 58.5 million Americans are living with a rheumatic disease, and many of them are also among the 50.2 million Americans living with chronic pain. As cannabis continues to become legalized for medical use in several states, the American College of Rheumatology and Simple Tasks have shared what individuals should know about the use of medical cannabis for rheumatic disease pain management. When exploring medicinal cannabis use, it is important to understand differences in common active molecules, the potential benefits, and the risks of cannabis use. In this interview, Mary-Ann Fitzc ..read more