May 2022 Arthritis News Roundup
The Arthritis Foundation is your trusted source for arthritis-related news and COVID updates that affect people with arthritis. Here’s a wrap-up of the headlines from this past month.
Want arthritis news daily? You’re in luck. Coming this summer, important news that affects you will be found online — so you won’t have to wait for a monthly email to learn about the latest advancements in treatments, the newest study findings, important COVID updates and more. Stay tuned for our launch announcement coming soon.
The Latest in COVID-19 News & Arthritis
FDA Approves COVID Booster for Ages 5-11
The FDA amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, authorizing the use of a single booster dose for individuals 5 through 11 years of age. Learn more.
Know Your COVID-19 Community Level
The CDC recently unveiled COVID-19 Community Levels, a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Check your community level.
Quarantine & Isolation Calculator FAQ
Get the latest CDC tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19. Try the tool.
Healthy-Appearing Lupus Skin Predisposed to Flares, Rashes
In patients with lupus, a new study finds that the normal-appearing skin of lupus patients contains the same inflammatory signals that are detected when the skin develops a rash, sometimes at even higher levels. Read more.
Rising Incidence of Lupus
A new study has found the incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus are increasing. Learn more about the study findings.
Living with a chronic illness like lupus can take a toll on your emotional health. Learn how to build a better self-image and start feeling good about your body. Read more.
Infection Risks Similar With TNFi and cDMARDs Plus MTX
According to study results published in Seminars in Arthritis & Rheumatology, there was no difference in the risk for serious infection between leflunomide and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) and tacrolimus and TNFis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with concomitant methotrexate. Learn more.
Healthy Lifestyle Modifications May Lower Risk of Genetically Induced Gout
While genetics are linked to gout diagnosis and lifestyle factors are related to risk, a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of gout, mitigating risk related to genetic factors by almost a third, according to a study published in BMC Medicine. Find out more about this study.
Learn the dos and don’ts of living a healthy lifestyle with gout. Find out which foods are best and which to avoid for preventing flares. Learn more.
Less Frequent Methotrexate Monitoring May Be Safe
Reducing the frequency of routine blood monitoring for methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with no adverse outcomes for patients. Read more.
Methotrexate is one of the most commonly prescribed arthritis medicines. Learn what to expect if you take it.
Want arthritis news daily? You’re in luck. Coming this summer, important news that affects you will be found online — so you won’t have to wait for a monthly email to learn about the latest advancements in treatments, the newest study findings, important COVID updates and more. Stay tuned for our launch announcement coming soon.
The Latest in COVID-19 News & Arthritis
FDA Approves COVID Booster for Ages 5-11
The FDA amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, authorizing the use of a single booster dose for individuals 5 through 11 years of age. Learn more.
Know Your COVID-19 Community Level
The CDC recently unveiled COVID-19 Community Levels, a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Check your community level.
Quarantine & Isolation Calculator FAQ
Get the latest CDC tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19. Try the tool.
Get the newest COVID-19 guidance for people with arthritis. Visit our Care & Connect page to find the latest coronavirus information.
In Other Arthritis News
Healthy-Appearing Lupus Skin Predisposed to Flares, Rashes
In patients with lupus, a new study finds that the normal-appearing skin of lupus patients contains the same inflammatory signals that are detected when the skin develops a rash, sometimes at even higher levels. Read more.
Rising Incidence of Lupus
A new study has found the incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus are increasing. Learn more about the study findings.
Living with a chronic illness like lupus can take a toll on your emotional health. Learn how to build a better self-image and start feeling good about your body. Read more.
Infection Risks Similar With TNFi and cDMARDs Plus MTX
According to study results published in Seminars in Arthritis & Rheumatology, there was no difference in the risk for serious infection between leflunomide and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) and tacrolimus and TNFis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with concomitant methotrexate. Learn more.
Healthy Lifestyle Modifications May Lower Risk of Genetically Induced Gout
While genetics are linked to gout diagnosis and lifestyle factors are related to risk, a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of gout, mitigating risk related to genetic factors by almost a third, according to a study published in BMC Medicine. Find out more about this study.
Learn the dos and don’ts of living a healthy lifestyle with gout. Find out which foods are best and which to avoid for preventing flares. Learn more.
Less Frequent Methotrexate Monitoring May Be Safe
Reducing the frequency of routine blood monitoring for methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with no adverse outcomes for patients. Read more.
Methotrexate is one of the most commonly prescribed arthritis medicines. Learn what to expect if you take it.