By Rosemary Frei, MSc A new, large meta-analysis indicates that at least 6 months of biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not increase the risk of cancer (Lopez-Olivo MA, et al. JAMA. 2012;308:898-908).
The US Food and Drug Admin­istration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for tocilizumab (Actemra; Genentech), a humanized in­terleukin-6 receptor–inhibiting mon­o­clonal antibody, for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to therapy with ≥1 disease-modifying anti­rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
The FDA has approved a new in­dication for adalimumab (Humira; Abbott Laboratories) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults, to control ulcerative colitis when immunosuppressant medicines, such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, and 6-mercaptopurine, have not worked.
The FDA approved a new indication for the subcutaneous RANK li­gand inhibitor denosumab (Prolia) for the treatment of bone mass loss in men with osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture. Denosumab, 60 mg, is administered as a single injection by a healthcare provider every 6 months.
By Neil Canava Developing new strategies for the prevention of osteoarthritis (OA) and its significant clinical burden is largely based on better understanding of the mechanism of OA disease and identification of potential biomarkers that may be involved in the progressive deterioration of the joints, including knee and hip.
By Rosemary Frei, MSc Phoenix, AZ—Cost-effectiveness values for biologics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are half as high—indicating much lower value for money—when using real-life data rather than using results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a new meta-analysis that was presented at the 2012 annual meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making has shown.
Using various patients’ willingness-to-pay thresholds Phoenix, AZ—A novel mathematical model can help to pinpoint when biologics become most cost-effective for various disease categories of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
By Charles Bankhead Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of impaired mobility, with significant impact especially on the joints, often leading to total hip or knee replacement, which reduces the patient’s quality of life in addition to having significant economic costs. The socioeconomic burden of total hip and knee replacement has soared to “remarkable” levels, according to Italian researchers (Piscitelli P, et al. Arthritis Care Res [Hoboken]. 2012;64:1320-1327).
Men more likely candidates than women Phoenix, AZ—Among the surprising findings of a survey presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making were that orthopedic surgeons are significantly more likely to recommend total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to men than to women, and that rheumatologists working in academic settings are much more likely to recommend such surgery than those working in non­academic environments.
By Rosemary Frei, MSc Promoting physical activity in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) is important. Interventions that may motivate patients with OA to adhere to an exercise regimen to reduce the risk of physical disability related to this chronic disease can therefore be helpful for providers and for patients.
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