Archive for category RA
Rheumatoid Arthritis RA Diet
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Diet, RA on November 21, 2011
Food to avoid:
All Pasteurized and Dairy Products
Egg Plant / Brinjal
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Corn
Bacon & Pork
Oranges
Refined Sugars
Chemical Sugar Sweetners
MSG (Monosodium glutamate)
Alcohol
Caffeine
Red Meat
Processed food
Common salt
Tobacco
Food to Eat:
Salmon
Flax Seeds
Walnuts
Green Tea
Black Tea
Cherries
Papaya
Bell peppers (yellow, red and green)
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Strawberries
Canteloupe
Kiwifruit
Cauliflower (boiled)
Grapefruit
Raspberries
Cod – baked or broiled
Shrimp – steamed or boiled
Snapper – baked or broiled
Tuna – yellowfin, baked or broiled
Halibut – baked or broiled
Salmon – chinook, baked or broiled
Calf’s liver – braised
Whole egg
Turkey breast
Lamb loin – roasted
Barley – cooked
Whole grain oats – cooked
Chicken breast – roasted
Beef tenderloin (lean) – broiled
Garlic
Brown rice – cooked
Tofu – raw
Avacado
Grape Fruit
Truth about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – from a doctor
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Causes, Prevention, RA, Rheumatologist, Symptoms, Therapies on July 20, 2011
Frequency of Rheumatoid arthritis in general population is about 1%. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammation of joints. The deformation continues till the inflammation is adequately controlled. It’s rare for rheumatologists to come across a case where the RA disappears without any modern treatment. Modern anti-rheumatic medications play a crucial role in controlling the symptoms of this disease and in halting the damage done by Rheumatoid Arthritis. Treatment started soon after the diagnosis is most effective. There are about 100 types of Arthritis and RA can often be mistaken for other types of arthritis. Therefore, besides the right treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis, the right diagnosis is of utmost importance. There is new research happening for RA and new treatments are being developed so the universal knowledge about RA is constantly changing and we still have a lot to learn about this arthritic disease. Yet, there are many misconceptions about this treatable and controllable disease. In this blog post, I’m going to help break these myths.
Myth: Rheumatoid arthritis is just like ‘regular arthritis.’
Truth: RA is not “regular arthritis.”, What is commonly known to the general population as “regular arthritis” is osteoarthritis which results by injury or as a result of normal wear-and-tear on aging joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the senior citizens. By contrast, RA occurs as a result of abnormality in immune system initiated by a so far unknown trigger, the body makes antibodies that attack its own joint tissue. It mostly affects the joints, although other body systems can also be affected. Once disease begins, it causes continuous joint inflammation. In some people it can result in intermittent episodes of painful and swollen joints. In some individuals otherwise doing well with the medications, sudden or acute episodes of joint inflammation results, these are called ‘Flares’.
Myth: Only old people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Truth: RA generally starts between the ages 25 to 55, but even teenagers can develop it.
Myth: Rheumatoid Arthritis is not such a serious disease.
Truth: RA is very serious. It can rapidly damage and deform your joints, involve other organ systems and even shorten your life span by few years, if it’s inadequately treated. Many people downplay RA as just ‘Grandma’s rheumatism,’ and they miss the boat completely. They delay seeing a Rheumatologist, often for months or years and a lot of joint damage happens during that time. RA needs prompt diagnosis and regular treatment to protect joints from harm. RA also increases the risk for certain other conditions like cardiovascular diseases, infections and lung disease etc.
Myth: People with rheumatoid arthritis will end up in a wheelchair because nothing can be done other than consuming pain killers & undergoing physiotherapy.
Truth: RA takes a different course in different people, but most people will go on living independently without pain and joint damage if treated early with modern medicines under the supervision of a rheumatologist (Joint physician).
RA has been known to cause much disability in people and this information comes from 20 to 30-year-old studies done before we started treating early RA with methotrexate, before we had the new biologic and other DMARDs (Disease modifying anti Rheumatic drugs. Extra ordinary strides have been made in recent times towards the excellent treatment of this disease. Today, an overwhelming number of people under treatment for rheumatoid arthritis are doing excellent and they regain their independence and mobility. But these results are only true for patients treated by a Rheumatologist. A recent study suggests that 94% of people with rheumatoid arthritis continued to perform all their normal activities independently even after living 10 years with the disease.
Myth: Most people with RA will be unable to work.
Truth: This myth may have been true in an earlier era, prior to the current treatments. Some people may need allowances at work, or will have to limit some activities during disease flares but a large proportion of people suffering from RA will continue working. In fact, in one large study of people who had had rheumatoid arthritis for more than 10 years, their employment rates were no different than their counterparts without RA.
Myth: As RA treatment can be toxic, it’s best to wait until the disease progresses.
Truth: This can prove to be the most dangerous thing to do. In fact, treating rheumatoid arthritis early prevents joint damage and disability. Ideally, aggressive treatment should start as soon as a positive diagnosis. Delaying treatment can worsen the situation. Numerous studies suggest that early treatment could delay full-blown rheumatoid arthritis from developing in some people. Although medications used to treat RA can have side effects but these side effects can be efficiently detected and treated through close monitoring by the rheumatologist and is definitely not worse than untreated rheumatoid arthritis. Simple blood tests and doctor’s visits can detect many of the serious side effects of rheumatoid arthritis medications.
Myth: Most people with rheumatoid arthritis get cancer too.
Truth: RA itself increases the risk for developing lymphoma (blood cancer), but the risk is low overall. For blood cancer, the lifetime risk is about twice as high in people with RA. It’s not clear why; perhaps because of chronic persistent inflammation. But the fact is that only a small minority of people with RA get blood cancer. For example, in one study, after following over two thousand people with rheumatoid arthritis for about eight years, 11 of them developed blood cancer. Most people with RA do not get cancer. Methotrexate, the new biologics, or both may partially increase this risk. However, you have to weigh the risks and the benefits. Untreated rheumatoid arthritis is frequently devastating, while blood cancer is uncommon, often slowly progressing and treatable. On the bright side, the risk of one cancer, colorectal cancer is actually reduced by up to 40% in people with RA. One theory says that the use of anti-inflammatory medicines called NSAIDs in this condition helps to prevent cancer in the colon.
Myth: Painful, stiff joints from rheumatoid arthritis need to rest most of the day.
Truth: In contrast joints affected by RA need stretching and exercise. Immobility can be counterproductive. Joints become painful and stiff making the patient immobile. Immobility sets up a vicious cycle. Muscles around a joint contribute a large part of the joint’s strength and stability and these require regular activity to stay healthy. Everyone with rheumatoid arthritis can perform some kind of exercise. Stretching exercises require minimal exertion and help keep joints flexible. Low-impact aerobic exercise improves joint health. High-impact exercises are to be avoided.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Explained Part II
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Causes, Prevention, RA, SLE / Lupus on May 9, 2011
Is RA Genetic?
This issue has yet not been resolved. RA is not a genetic disease but you can say that RA patients generally have genes which may facilitate the production of certain antibodies after exposure to certain triggers (in environment, stress and other unknown triggers). Even if a person has susceptible genes, it is not necessary to develop the disease without triggers. So, generally the disease is multifactorial.
How common is the misdiagnosis of RA?
That is quite common especially by Non-rheumatologists. Laymen and many doctors who don’t specialise in rheumatology think that there is only one type of arthritis. But, in fact arthritis should be considered only as a symptom arising out of 100 causes. RA gets misdiagnosed so often as Osteoarthritis and Gout. And sometimes nonspecific aches and pains also get misdiagnosed as RA. For example in cases of Diabetes, hands get stiff and mildly painful but get diagnosed as a case of RA.
Is it seasonal, will it flare up in change of seasons?
Yes, for unknown reasons, RA tends to flare up periodically, despite consumption of appropriate medications. Adjustment of medications or additions in prescription like steroids are required to control of symptoms.
Will changing our current lifestyle help?
People should reduce weight to decrease the burden on the dysregulated immune system. Patient needs regular excercise within the limit of tolerance to maintain the muscle strength and to maintain the range of motion. Smoking is big NO, NO. Always have a positive attitude. Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables will always be good. Meditation is recommended.
Is it a condition with which a patient has to live with like Diabetes and it can only be moderated and not cured?
Yes, at present there is no cure for this disease as there is no cure for other majority of diseases except a few infections. As in the case of diabetes, a proper control of blood sugar can be achieved and the damage of various organ systems can be avoided by doing this. In the same way, in case of RA, target of the treatment is controlling the autoimmune inflammation by appropriate medicines so that damage to the joints can be halted and pain can be ameliorated. And as in case of Diabetes, the job of controlling blood sugar is best done by an Endocrinologist, for RA, it is best done by a Rheumatologist.
What will be repurcussion, if RA is not treated or countered?
If Inflammation caused by RA is not controlled, it will continue to damage the affected joints and it can cripple you within a few years, and with proper control of inflammation by a Rheumatologist, joints can be saved from the adverse affect of this inflammation for decades and patients can continue walking through their lifetime without undergoing joint replacement. Early correct diagnosis and treatment by Rheumatologist is of paramount importance in modern times.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Explained Part I
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Prevention, RA, Rheumatologist, Therapies on May 6, 2011
Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly associated with old age. How common is the condition in the young people?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic persistent inflammatory polyarthritis mainly involving the small joints of hands and feet, although large joints such as knee and hip joints can also be affected. It usually affects young women of reproductive age, ie, 20-40 yrs. Elderly individuals can also be affected. Male to female ratio is 1: 5.
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Exact cause is still not known. But it is known that something in the body goes awry. Our own immune system which targets the nonself substances such as bacteria and viruses, recognizes them and fights with them to eliminate them from the body. In Rheumatoid arthritis our immunity starts recognising the joint tissue called synovium, a lining of joint cavity, starts manufacturing the antibodies against this tissue. These antibodies, recognised in the blood test as Rheumatoid factors and anti CCP antibodies, start attacking this tissue and cause inflammation manifesting itself as joint swelling and then it is called arthritis.
The youngest patient who came to me seeking treatment…
Although inflammatory arthritis commonly occurs in children also, but then this is called Juvenile inflammatory arthritis, which may or may not progress to rheumatoid arthritis in aduldhood. I have seen such type of arthritis even in 02 yrs old. But the term Rheumatoid arthritis is a term to be used when it occurs in individuals of > 16 yrs of age. In that sense I have seen a patient even 17 yrs old developing rheumatoid arthritis.
What’s the common treatment protocol?
In case of Rheumatoid arthritis, once diagnosed by a rheumatologist based on established diagnostic criteria, in addition to nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, immunomodulators are to be used as early as possible to control the autoimmune inflammation if joint deformities are not desired. To begin with, we start methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine in combination. Various other immunomodulators used are sulfasalazine, D-Penicillamine, Leflunomide. Sometimes help is also taken from steroids, cytotoxic drugs with sole aim of controlling autoimmune related inflammation. Latest drugs with the same aim are biologics such as anti TNF agents ( infliximab, etanercept) and other anticytokine and B cell and T cell therapies. Management of RA is like management of diabetes mellitus, in which we control blood sugar level to save the target organs, in the same way we control level of inflammation in RA to save the joints from ongoing damage.
What are the current advances made in the treatment?
Current advances as enumerated above, are targeted therapies to target various inflammation causing molecules (cytokines) such as anti TNF, IL6, IL1 etc, and to target cells involved in the perpetuation of inflammation, such as Rituximab against B cell, and Abatacept against T cell. A lot more are being researched and yet to enter the market.
What dietary restrictions a patient should adhere to?
Dietary restrictions: No dietary restriction has proved to substantially reduce the inflammation of RA and stop the ongoing joint damage. However, patients are adviced so many drugs which are likely to cause gastric inflammation, therefore, it’s better to reduce the intake of spicy food. As being overweight is detrimental to the health of joints, patients are adviced to reduce weight by cutting down their calorie intake. (S)he is also adviced to have a balanced diet containing lots of fruits and salads which are full of antioxidants. It will be better to expose the skin to the sun for at least 1/2 hr at appropriate time of the day so that the required Vitamin D can be made by the skin. If that is not possible, Vitamin D fortified foods or Vitamin D supplements are to be added in the diet. New research is showing that Vitamin D defficiency may initiate and perpetuate auto immune diseases.
Action points in RA flare
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Prevention, RA on April 9, 2011
1. Identify triggers: infection/stressful situation.
2. Discuss a plan of action with your doctor.
3. One approach would be to adjust your medications temporarily
4. Balance periods of activity with periods of rest.
5. Have a plan to deal with your obligations.
6. Communicate with your family & friends.
7. Apply a hot or cold pack to inflamed joints.
8. Practice relaxation or mind-diversion techniques.
Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis: “What to eat and what to avoid”
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Diet, RA on March 10, 2011
Best and Worst Foods for Arthritis
“How Do Foods Spark Inflammation? To find the answer, Philip P. Cavicchia, MSPH, a PhD student in the department of epidemiology at the Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, helped design this new inflammatory index. He and his colleagues scored 41 foods and food components thought to positively or negatively affect levels of inflammation, based on a review of all English language, peer-reviewed studies relating to diet and inflammation that were published between 1950 and 2007.
“ Carbohydrates, fat and cholesterol were among the food components most likely to encourage inflammation, while magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamins A, B-6, C, D and E, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, turmeric and tea were the strongest anti-inflammatories.
Next, using data from the Seasonal Variation of Cholesterol Levels Study (SEASONS), they examined the records of 494 men and women (average age 48), looking specifically at the relationship between the inflammatory index (what they ate) and their blood levels of C-reactive protein (typically called CRP), manufactured by the liver, CRP predicts vulnerability to inflammation and is also elevated in people with obesity, allergies and immune disorders. A lower CRP is thought to translate to reduced risk for heart disease, cancer and other inflammation-related chronic health conditions.
After factoring in variables such as age, weight and smoking status, Cavicchia and his team found that there is indeed a relationship between an anti-inflammatory diet based on the inflammatory index and a reduced level of CRP.
These findings appeared in the December 2009 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.
Now, here are Dr. Rubmanâs picks of the best and worst foods if you want to reduce inflammation in your body.
GOOD FOOD TO EAT IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
1. Wild salmon, mackerel and other omega-3-fatty-acid-rich fish.
2. Berries.
3. Green, leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach and kale).
4. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc.)
5. Deeply pigmented produce, such as sweet potatoes, eggplant and pomegranate along with carrots, plums, oranges, peppers, peas and red grapes.
6. Nuts.
7. Whole grains.
8. Tea, specifically black, green and white teas.
9. Cold-pressed fresh oils, including avocado, flaxseed and olive oils in particular.
10. Spices (specifically, garlic, ginger, turmeric, saffron)
BAD FOOD TO EAT IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
1. Desserts made with lots of sugar (cookies, candy, ice cream and so on).
2. Sweetened cereals.
3. White carbohydrates(eg,white bread, rice, potatoes & English muffins)
4. Non-diet soft drinks.
5. Anything containing high-fructose corn syrup.
6. Processed meats (bologna, salami, hotdogs, sausage and others made with preservatives and additives).
7. French fries, potato chips and other fried snack foods.
8. Fast foods, most specifically the ones that are high-fat, high-calorie, high simple carbohydrate which describes most of the offerings at quick-serve restaurants.
9. Margarine, because it contains processed sterols called stanols that have been implicated in both atherosclerosis and various fatty-deposit diseases.
10.Organ meats such as liver, because these often contain undesirable products including antibiotics, fertilizer and other unwanted residues.
How to Feel Better Fast
One bit of information to this “highly inflammatory” list is “almost any food eaten quickly, especially if you drink a lot of liquid while eating”. Please eat slowly, chew thoroughly, avoid liquids during a meal so that you don’t dilute the stomach acid and reduce its ability to help digest food. You are also advised to include items from the “best” list in every meal, every day, while eliminating those from the “worst” list or at least reserving them for an occasional treat. Within weeks, you will decrease your risk for disease, improve your digestion, enjoy more energy and feel better overall.
Vitamins, Minerals, and RA: Are You Getting What Your body Needs?
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Prevention, RA on February 14, 2011
WebMD Medical Reference
It can be difficult to get all the nutrients you need when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Even if you’re eating what seems like a healthy diet, you may still be missing key vitamins and minerals.Managing RA is enough of a challenge on its own. You don’t want to have to deal with a nutritional deficiency as well. This guide looks at common vitamins and minerals that people with RA may be missing and how to make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs.
How Does RA Hurt Nutrition?
There are a few key reasons why rheumatoid arthritis and nutritional deficiencies often go together:
- RA medications. A number of the medicines that people need for RA can block nutrients from getting into the body. For instance, methotrexate can block the absorption of folic acid and corticosteroids block the absorption of calcium.
- Speeded-up metabolism. The chronic inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis triggers the production of chemicals called cytokines. They speed up the metabolism and the breakdown of protein. This means that some people with RA may need more calories and protein to compensate. Otherwise, they’re at risk for weight loss and muscle wasting, called cachexia.
- RA symptoms. Joint pain and stiffness can make it harder to cook healthy food. If lifting a sauté pan or peeling vegetables is frustrating or painful, you start to do it less. People with RA may unintentionally choose the easiest food options rather than the healthiest.
RA and Folic Acid
Some common RA drugs such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) interfere with how the body uses folate, a critical vitamin that promotes health and supports your body’s metabolism. Folate also plays a crucial role in pregnancy, where it helps prevent certain birth defects.
Eating more foods with folic acid — such as spinach, collards, broccoli, garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, oranges, and fortified breads and cereals — can help. Some people may need to take folic acid supplements.
Ask your doctor or dietician how much folic acid you need to help prevent medication side effects during methotrexate treatment. There’s some evidence that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also cause low levels of folate, so you may want to ask your doctor if you take NSAIDs often or take high doses.
RA, Calcium Deficiency, and Osteoporosis
Corticosteroids for RA can make it harder for your body to absorb calcium, increasing your risk of weakened bones and osteoporosis. RA can also put you at risk for weak bones in other ways. Physical activity is important in keeping up bone strength, but many people with rheumatoid arthritis have trouble being active. Your immune system, which RA makes overactive, may even attack your bones directly.
Sources of calcium include dairy products, canned sardines and salmon, almonds, broccoli, kale, and fortified orange juice and cereal.
How much calcium do you need? The general recommendations are 1000 mg a day for adults under age 50 and 1200 mg for people 51 and older. However, check with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a higher amount or suggest that you take calcium supplements.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vitamin D, and Healthy Bones
Vitamin D is also key in strengthening bones and preventing osteoporosis. Without enough vitamin D, your body can’t absorb the calcium from your diet. Among people who have RA, low vitamin D is associated with more active RA symptoms. Vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in developing rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have found that women who have a higher intake of vitamin D seem less likely to get RA. So far, however, there is no clear evidence that vitamin D plays a role in preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis. Some milk, orange juice, and breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D. Natural sources include egg yolks, salmon, tuna, and sardines. Your body also makes vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunlight. Ask your doctor about how much you should get a day and the best way to get it.
RA and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Many researchers believe that people in the U.S. generally don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids. People with RA may be at special risk. Studies suggest that people with RA have lower than average levels of EPA and DHA, two key fatty acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fatty fish, such as tuna and salmon. Fish oil supplements, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, seem to help with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have found that they can reduce RA symptoms like morning stiffness. Because EPA and DHA seem to protect the heart, they may also help lower the risk of heart problems associated with RA.
RA: Other Vitamins and Minerals
Researchers have looked at how other nutritional deficiencies — in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, and selenium — may affect RA symptoms. So far, there’s no clear evidence that getting more of any of these nutrients helps RA.
Getting More Nutrients: Foods or Supplements?
Generally, it’s better to get your nutrients from foods than from supplements. That’s because food also provides different vitamins, minerals, and healthy phytochemicals. However, because people with RA are at special risk for nutritional deficiencies and may have trouble absorbing nutrients from foods, many rheumatologists prescribe supplements. Ask your doctor whether supplements may help you. Although it’s especially important to pay attention to your diet and nutrition with RA, remember that eating a healthier diet and taking supplements are no substitute for good medical management of RA. Dietary changes — or dietary supplements — are not an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis on their own.
Always work with your doctor to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs.
Lifetime risk of developing Autoimmune Rheumatic diseases determined
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in RA on January 17, 2011
Scientists have determined the lifetime risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and six other autoimmune rheumatic diseases for both men and women.
They estimated the lifetime risk for rheumatic disease for both sexes, something that had not been done before – separately or collectively.
Prevalence and incidence rates existed, but prevalence figures underestimate individual risk and incidence rates express only a yearly estimate.
The researchers were looking for an accurate basis to offer an easy-to-understand average risk over a person’s lifetime, knowing that risk changes at almost every age.
They used data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a long-term epidemiology resource based on patients in Olmsted County, Minn.
The cohort of 1,179, consisting of patients diagnosed between 1955 and 2007, allowed the team to extrapolate the nationwide estimates.
The adult lifetime risk in the US of having some kind of inflammatory autoimmune disease is 8.4 per cent for women and 5.1 per cent for men.
Based on year 2000 population figures, that means one woman in 12 and one man in 20 will develop one of the conditions in their lifetime.
The authors considered that a substantial risk and said their findings should encourage more research on the value of early diagnosis and intervention for people with increased genetic risk of arthritis.
They hope the new figures would help in counselling patients and in fundraising efforts to find improved treatments.
The findings appear online in Arthritis and Rheumatism.
10 Things To Help You Reduce The Chances Of Contracting An Autoimmune Disease
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in Fibromyalgia, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, OA, Prevention, RA, Rheumatologist, SLE / Lupus, Therapies on January 16, 2011
Chances of getting an autoimmune disease like RA, SLE etc is 1 in 11 in the female population. This is much more than the chances of getting a DDA (Delhi Development authority) apartment in the Indian Govt. housing scheme ie, 1 in 47 which was 1 in 140 last year. So I advice all my readers and followers who want to remain ambulant throughout their life to:
1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
2. Maintain a balance between your physical, social and psychological life.
3. Get at least 15-20 min. sun exposure in a day.
4. Walk 4-5 km daily.
5. Maintain optimum weight.
6. Do away with stress at the earliest.
7. DO NOT smoke.
8. Clean habits help avoiding autoimmunity triggered by infections.
9. Ensure good cross ventilation at your homes.
10. Eat healthy food and a balance diet will help.
NEWS – New Oral Pill “Tasocitinib” in sight: May Offer Alternative to Injectibles biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Posted by Dr. OP Garg in RA, Rheumatologist, Therapies on November 13, 2010
In resistant cases of RA, injectable biologics which include Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade can cost as much as $1,500 a month and carry a risk of infection.
The new pill of Tasocitinib is given orally, and if approved, it will become the first new oral drug for rheumatoid arthritis since Arava was okayed in the late 1990s. Tasocitinib belongs to a new class of oral drugs, known as JAK inhibitors, that inhibit immune system cells that are thought to cause inflammation.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system is inappropriately turned on, causing inflammation, predominantly in the joints. This, in turn, can cause pain and lead to permanent joint damage.
Tuberculosis, or the opportunistic infections, that we’ve seen with [other drugs for RA] has not been encounterd with this drug, however other serious infections were associated with this new drug in 4 % of cases.
Tasocitinib is also being studied for the treatment of several other disorders, including psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. No price has been set.