Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation and Osteoarthritis Pain: Mechanisms, Measurement, and Future Outlook
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe autonomic nervous system is an important regulator of stress responses and exhibits functional changes in chronic pain states. This review discusses potential overlap among autonomic dysregulation, osteoarthritis (OA) progression, and chronic pain. From this foundation, we then discuss preclinical to clinical research opportunities to close gaps in our knowledge of autonomic dysregulation and OA. Finally, we consider the potential to generate new therapies for OA pain via modulation of the autonomic nervous system.Recent FindingsRecent reviews provide a framework for the autonomic nervous syste...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 14, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Update on Uric Acid and the Kidney
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we report on new findings regarding associations of uric acid with kidney health. We discuss kidney stones, effects of uric acid in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and management of gout in CKD. Recent studies on neuroprotective effects of raising uric acid provide interesting data regarding nephrolithiasis.Recent FindingsElevated urate levels have been implicated in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the results from PERL and CKD-FIX studies did not demonstrate that allopurinol slowed CKD progression. The SURE-PD3 sought to determine if increasing uric acid would sl...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 14, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation and Osteoarthritis Pain: Mechanisms, Measurement, and Future Outlook
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe autonomic nervous system is an important regulator of stress responses and exhibits functional changes in chronic pain states. This review discusses potential overlap among autonomic dysregulation, osteoarthritis (OA) progression, and chronic pain. From this foundation, we then discuss preclinical to clinical research opportunities to close gaps in our knowledge of autonomic dysregulation and OA. Finally, we consider the potential to generate new therapies for OA pain via modulation of the autonomic nervous system.Recent FindingsRecent reviews provide a framework for the autonomic nervous syste...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 14, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Update on Uric Acid and the Kidney
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we report on new findings regarding associations of uric acid with kidney health. We discuss kidney stones, effects of uric acid in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and management of gout in CKD. Recent studies on neuroprotective effects of raising uric acid provide interesting data regarding nephrolithiasis.Recent FindingsElevated urate levels have been implicated in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the results from PERL and CKD-FIX studies did not demonstrate that allopurinol slowed CKD progression. The SURE-PD3 sought to determine if increasing uric acid would sl...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 14, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Update on Cutaneous Signs to Assist in the Diagnosis of Dermatomyositis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDermatomyositis (DM) is a heterogeneous idiopathic inflammatory myopathy that can be challenging to diagnose. Learning about the cutaneous manifestations in DM can assist with prompt diagnosis as well as subgroup classification. This review highlights recent data regarding cutaneous signs in DM and their associations with myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs).Recent FindingsSeveral novel DM skin signs have recently been reported. Novel and confirmatory data have helped to define more clearly the associations between various cutaneous manifestations and MSAs.SummaryAwareness of the diverse cutaneous p...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 11, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Engineering Closed-Loop, Autoregulatory Gene Circuits for Osteoarthritis Cell-Based Therapies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGenetic engineering offers the possibility to simultaneously target multiple cellular pathways in the joints affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this review is to summarize the ongoing efforts to develop disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) using genetic engineering, including targeting approaches, genome editing techniques, and delivery methods.Recent FindingsSeveral gene circuits have been developed that reprogram cells to autonomously target inflammation, and their efficacy has been demonstrated in chondrocytes and stem cells. Gene circuits developed for metabolic disorder...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 11, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Update on Cutaneous Signs to Assist in the Diagnosis of Dermatomyositis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDermatomyositis (DM) is a heterogeneous idiopathic inflammatory myopathy that can be challenging to diagnose. Learning about the cutaneous manifestations in DM can assist with prompt diagnosis as well as subgroup classification. This review highlights recent data regarding cutaneous signs in DM and their associations with myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs).Recent FindingsSeveral novel DM skin signs have recently been reported. Novel and confirmatory data have helped to define more clearly the associations between various cutaneous manifestations and MSAs.SummaryAwareness of the diverse cutaneous p...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 11, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Future of Low-Dose Computed Tomography and Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Axial Spondyloarthritis
This article will discuss the latest innovations and give a perspective on future developments.Recent FindingsLow-dose CT has increasingly been used for assessing structural changes at the sacroiliac joints and the spine. It has developed into a method with similar or even lower radiation exposure than radiography while outperforming radiography for lesion detection. Despite being incompatible with low-dose scanning, some studies have shown that dual-energy CT can provide additional information that is otherwise only assessable with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, it is unclear whether this additional informatio...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 9, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
The Microbiome in Osteoarthritis: a Narrative Review of Recent Human and Animal Model Literature
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe microbiome has recently emerged as a powerful contributor to health and illness in chronic, systemic disorders. Furthermore, new microbiome niches beyond traditional gut locations are frequently being described. Over the past 5 years, numerous pivotal studies have demonstrated associations between changes in various microbiome niches and the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Herein, we review the most impactful recent literature, including microbiome associations with disease and the potential therapeutic value of micr obiome manipulation.Recent FindingsThe gut microbiome of human OA pa...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 7, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Axial Spondyloarthritis in Japan
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe differences in the epidemiology and management of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) among regions and countries largely depend on the positivity of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and the health care system. This review article focused on axSpA in Japan, where the prevalence of HLA-B27 is extremely low (0.3%) and the universal health insurance system typically provides a 70% or more copayment by the government.Recent FindingsA nationwide survey was conducted in Japan in 2018, which estimated that there were 3200 patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2400 –3900) with ankylosing...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 5, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Engineering Closed-Loop, Autoregulatory Gene Circuits for Osteoarthritis Cell-Based Therapies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGenetic engineering offers the possibility to simultaneously target multiple cellular pathways in the joints affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this review is to summarize the ongoing efforts to develop disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) using genetic engineering, including targeting approaches, genome editing techniques, and delivery methods.Recent FindingsSeveral gene circuits have been developed that reprogram cells to autonomously target inflammation, and their efficacy has been demonstrated in chondrocytes and stem cells. Gene circuits developed for metabolic disorder...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - April 1, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Trabecular Bone Score in Rheumatic Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPatients with rheumatic disease are at high risk of low bone mass and osteoporotic fracture. Trabecular bone score (TBS), derived from lumbar spine dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), is a novel measure of bone texture that independently predicts fracture risk. This review examines the role of TBS in rheumatic disease including fracture prediction.Recent FindingsMost studies concerning TBS and rheumatic disease are cross-sectional, with consistent evidence of lower TBS in patients with rheumatic disease compared to controls. Recent studies have shown association and predictive ability of TBS fo...
Source: Current Rheumatology Reports - March 25, 2022 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
