Prior studies of glucosamine and its role in the prevention of joint damage in knee OA have produced conflicting results, but a recent study found that the odds of worsening cartilage damage in a glucosamine group were the same as for patients given a placebo.

Despite being considered and at-risk group due to disease- and drug-induced immunosuppression, only one of two arthritic adults will receive a flu vaccination, according to a recent phone study.

Anti tumor necrosis factor therapy for rheumatoid arthritis appears to increase a patient's risk of developing septic arthritis, which is the infection of a joint, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.

Initial use of methotrexate combined with sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine better controls rheumatoid arthritis at six months.

In a session that focused on potential adverse reactions to rheumatologic infusion therapies, Jacqueline M. Fritz, RN, MSN, CNS, Arthritis and Osteoporosis, La Palma, California, explained that infusion therapies take time to administer.

During his keynote address, MDNG editorial board member Danny Sands really stressed the importance of empowering patients to learn about their health. "We need to make sure patients have access to knowledge," he said.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients are experiencing less coronary heart disease than in years past, but heart failure rates, however, remain unchanged, puzzling researchers.

Though researchers continue to investigate exactly why, data indicates RA increases an individual's risk of lower GI bleeding or perforation, diverticulitis, lower GI ulcers, and appendicitis.

The most important risk factors for serious infections were not biologic medications, as some might have expected, but instead were age, medical conditions such as emphysema, and RA-specific factors like disease duration.

RA patients identified through the Department of Veteran Affairs national administrative databases that were on anti-TNF therapy had a higher risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer than those on non-biologic DMARDs.

The ACR's "Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis" campaign has funded research that identified a highly-specific marker of RA, helps predict response to anti-TNF therapy, and improving doctor-patient communication.

Researchers examining senior-identified arthritis management strategies were able to identify the most helpful treatment methods as well as the biggest challenges preventing most seniors from engaging in these practices.

Avril Fitzgerald from University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, discussed the results from her study and how the primary care physicians and rheumatologists are perceiving the new scoring method.

Here we recap some of the highlights of today's poster session with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis.

Dozens of posters were presented under the RA umbrella during the morning of day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions.

Dozens of posters were presented under the RA umbrella during the morning of day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions.

Objectives for this presentation included identifying biologic agents in the use of RA; discussing the role of TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis; describing the role of B-cells in rheumatoid arthritis; and discussing what advances need to happen in order to better treat this condition.

Today was the final day of the American College of Rheumatology's 2009 Scientific Meeting. Here are some of the study highlights from the finale.

This morning's presentation on implementing a CARE (Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Education) Program was comprised of a step-by-step case study. Barbara A. Paliughi, RN, BSN, and Linda L. Miranda, RN, BSN, relayed their experience of getting this type of program off the ground at their place of employment, the Children's Hospital of Central California.

Today was the final day of the American College of Rheumatology's 2009 Scientific Meeting. Here are some of the study highlights from the finale.