November 2021 Arthritis News Roundup
American College of Rheumatology Research Highlights
The 2021 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence conference was recently held, gathering researchers, clinicians and patients alike for a week of knowledge sharing to advance treatments, understanding and approaches to managing various rheumatic diseases. Read the highlights .
Listen to the Live Yes! With Arthritis podcast episode showcasing all the exciting news from the 2021 ACR Convergence conference.
The Latest in COVID-19 News & Arthritis
COVID Vaccine Booster Approved for All Adults
Health officials authorized booster shots for all U.S. adults in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases, along with concerns about upcoming holidays and winter months. Learn more about COVID vaccine boosters.
Mask-Wearing Cuts New COVID-19 Cases by Half
When people wear face masks to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the number of new COVID-19 infections drops by 53%, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal. Read more about this study.
Scientists Race to Find Out if Vaccines Stop Omicron
Amid fears of another global surge of the coronavirus, scientists are scrambling to gather data on the new omicron variant, its capabilities and — perhaps most important — how effectively the current vaccines will protect against it. Read more about the omicron variant.
In Other Arthritis News
Serious Infection Hospitalizations Have Declined in Patients With PsA
The rate of U.S. hospitalizations for three types of serious infections in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) appears to have declined from 2012 to 2017. Learn more about these findings.
Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis? Check out our PsA portal to find out what you need to know to take control.
Long-term Glucocorticoids in RA Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Risk
Each month of glucocorticoid use in middle-aged patients with rheumatoid arthritis increases their odds of a major adverse cardiac event by 14%, independent of their baseline cardiovascular risk, according to a Veterans Administration study. Read more .
Allopurinol Proves Noninferior to Febuxostat for Gout Relief
Allopurinol may finally start to get the respect that many rheumatologists feel it deserves as a first-line, urate-lowering treatment for gout, following results of a randomized trial showing that it was noninferior to febuxostat both in the overall trial population and in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. Learn more about this study.
Find out how to live well with gout. View our gout webinar , led by renowned experts,
to get information about causes, flares, remission and co-conditions.
Vitamin D and Omega-3 Supplements Reduce Autoimmune Disease Risk
Among nearly 26,000 adults enrolled in a randomized trial, five years of vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 22% reduction in risk for confirmed autoimmune diseases, and five years of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was associated with an 18% reduction in confirmed and probable incident autoimmune diseases. Read more about these findings.
