September 2021 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.
WHO Monitors New ‘Mu’ COVID-19 Variant
The World Health Organization is monitoring a new coronavirus variant called “mu,” which the agency says has mutations that have the potential to evade immunity provided by a previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Get details here.
NIH to Study COVID Vaccine Booster in Autoimmune Patients
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has begun a phase 2 trial to assess the antibody response to a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccine in people with autoimmune disease who did not respond to their original COVID-19 vaccine regimen.
COVID-19 Vaccine Elicits Antibodies in 90% Taking Immunosuppressants
Nearly 90% of people taking immunosuppressants to treat autoimmune conditions produce an antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination, but the response is weaker than those generated by healthy people, according to a new study. Learn more.
Get the latest on Arthritis and COVID-19 vaccines FAQs in our Care and Connect resource hub.
Nasal Cartilage Relieves Knee Osteoarthritis
Cartilage cells from the nasal septum cannot only help repair cartilage injuries in the knee — they can also withstand the chronic inflammatory tissue environment in osteoarthritis (OA) and even counteract the inflammation, according to researchers at the University of Basel and the University Hospital of Basel. Read all about it.
Drug Adherence Tied to Genetic Influences, Not Side Effects
The results of new research suggest that drug adherence pertains more to an individual's genetic predisposition to particular behaviors than to underlying biological factors, such as the adverse effects of a specific drug, the researchers conclude. Learn more.
Cannabis Use Tied to Poorer Outcomes of Total Hip, Knee Replacement
Cannabis use before total knee or hip replacement is associated with increased medical and implant-related complications, according to new research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Read more.
The Arthritis Foundation developed guidance for adults with arthritis who are exploring CBD use as a treatment for managing pain and other symptoms of arthritis. Learn more about what you should know about CBD before trying it.
And learn more about total knee and hip arthroplasty. If you’re exploring whether surgery is right for you, listen to the podcast episode on Arthritis Pain & Surgery.
Arthritis@Work for Corporate Wellness Programs
The Arthritis Foundation is offering employers free turnkey tools and resources to support their employees with arthritis. As the second largest driver of employee health care costs, arthritis is responsible for 172 million lost workdays each year. Integrated into existing corporate wellness programs, Arthritis@Work is a win-win way for employers to protect their bottom line by caring for those who care for their business.
Novartis Gets FDA Fast-Track Designation for LNA043 in Knee OA
The Swiss drug maker said it is developing LNA043 as a potential first-in-class disease-modifying treatment for OA. The FDA’s fast-track program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of treatments for serious or potentially life-threatening illnesses with high unmet medical needs.
No Sex Difference Seen for Ankylosing Spondylitis
The incidence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) did not differ between men and women in a large study of military personnel, which called into question the previous assumption of male predominance for this disease. Read about the study.
Osteoarthritis: New Genetic Risk Factors and Novel Drug Targets
Researchers have found new genetic risk factors for OA and identified novel drug targets. Their finding is a milestone toward the development of the first ever curative treatment for OA. Learn more.
TPX-100 Delays Bone Shape Change, Stabilizes Cartilage in Bilateral Knee OA
TPX-100, a promotor of osteoblast and chondroblast differentiation, is a potential therapy for OA. A new retrospective study compared MRI 3D femoral bone shape changes (B-scores) after intra-articular TPX-100 or placebo and analyzed the relationship between cartilage thickness and bone shape change over 12 months.
For pain management resources and tools, visit arthritis.org/pain.
The Latest in COVID-19 News and Arthritis
WHO Monitors New ‘Mu’ COVID-19 Variant
The World Health Organization is monitoring a new coronavirus variant called “mu,” which the agency says has mutations that have the potential to evade immunity provided by a previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Get details here.
NIH to Study COVID Vaccine Booster in Autoimmune Patients
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has begun a phase 2 trial to assess the antibody response to a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccine in people with autoimmune disease who did not respond to their original COVID-19 vaccine regimen.
COVID-19 Vaccine Elicits Antibodies in 90% Taking Immunosuppressants
Nearly 90% of people taking immunosuppressants to treat autoimmune conditions produce an antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination, but the response is weaker than those generated by healthy people, according to a new study. Learn more.
Get the latest on Arthritis and COVID-19 vaccines FAQs in our Care and Connect resource hub.
Nasal Cartilage Relieves Knee Osteoarthritis
Cartilage cells from the nasal septum cannot only help repair cartilage injuries in the knee — they can also withstand the chronic inflammatory tissue environment in osteoarthritis (OA) and even counteract the inflammation, according to researchers at the University of Basel and the University Hospital of Basel. Read all about it.
Drug Adherence Tied to Genetic Influences, Not Side Effects
The results of new research suggest that drug adherence pertains more to an individual's genetic predisposition to particular behaviors than to underlying biological factors, such as the adverse effects of a specific drug, the researchers conclude. Learn more.
Cannabis Use Tied to Poorer Outcomes of Total Hip, Knee Replacement
Cannabis use before total knee or hip replacement is associated with increased medical and implant-related complications, according to new research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Read more.
The Arthritis Foundation developed guidance for adults with arthritis who are exploring CBD use as a treatment for managing pain and other symptoms of arthritis. Learn more about what you should know about CBD before trying it.
And learn more about total knee and hip arthroplasty. If you’re exploring whether surgery is right for you, listen to the podcast episode on Arthritis Pain & Surgery.
In Other Arthritis News
Arthritis@Work for Corporate Wellness Programs
The Arthritis Foundation is offering employers free turnkey tools and resources to support their employees with arthritis. As the second largest driver of employee health care costs, arthritis is responsible for 172 million lost workdays each year. Integrated into existing corporate wellness programs, Arthritis@Work is a win-win way for employers to protect their bottom line by caring for those who care for their business.
Novartis Gets FDA Fast-Track Designation for LNA043 in Knee OA
The Swiss drug maker said it is developing LNA043 as a potential first-in-class disease-modifying treatment for OA. The FDA’s fast-track program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of treatments for serious or potentially life-threatening illnesses with high unmet medical needs.
No Sex Difference Seen for Ankylosing Spondylitis
The incidence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) did not differ between men and women in a large study of military personnel, which called into question the previous assumption of male predominance for this disease. Read about the study.
Osteoarthritis: New Genetic Risk Factors and Novel Drug Targets
Researchers have found new genetic risk factors for OA and identified novel drug targets. Their finding is a milestone toward the development of the first ever curative treatment for OA. Learn more.
TPX-100 Delays Bone Shape Change, Stabilizes Cartilage in Bilateral Knee OA
TPX-100, a promotor of osteoblast and chondroblast differentiation, is a potential therapy for OA. A new retrospective study compared MRI 3D femoral bone shape changes (B-scores) after intra-articular TPX-100 or placebo and analyzed the relationship between cartilage thickness and bone shape change over 12 months.
For pain management resources and tools, visit arthritis.org/pain.