Drug Could Offer New Option Against Lupus

THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2019 -- People suffering from the autoimmune disease lupus might soon have a new drug to turn to, a clinical trial suggests.

Anifrolumab is a lab-created antibody that blocks type 1 interferon, a biochemical that activates an immune response in humans, explained lead researcher Eric Morand, head of the Monash Health School of Clinical Sciences in Melbourne, Australia.

Cheap, Older Gout Drug Could Be a Lifesaver After Heart Attack

SUNDAY, Nov. 17, 2019 -- A cheap drug that's been around for centuries as a gout treatment might also shield heart attack survivors from future heart crises, new trial results show.

The drug, colchicine, is derived from a plant called the autumn crocus, researchers explained Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, in Philadelphia.

Opioids Won't Help Arthritis Patients Long-Term: Study

SATURDAY, Nov. 9, 2019 -- Opioid painkillers may temporarily ease the discomfort of arthritis, but they have no clear lasting benefit, a research review finds.

In an analysis of 23 clinical trials, researchers found that, on average, opioid medications were somewhat effective at easing pain in patients with osteoarthritis. That's the common form of arthritis in which cartilage cushioning the joints gradually wears down, leading to swelling, stiffness and pain.

Some May Be Vulnerable to Severe Skin Reaction While Using Gout Drug

TUESDAY, Oct. 1, 2019 -- Some gout patients with heart or kidney disease might be more susceptible to severe skin reactions while taking the gout medication allopurinol, researchers report.

"Our findings suggest that heart disease, like chronic kidney disease, is a risk factor for allopurinol-associated severe cutaneous adverse reactions that warrants adoption of precautionary measures against these reactions," said researcher Dr. Hyon Choi, from the Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Your Noisy Knees May Be Trying to Tell You Something

THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2019 -- Ever hear your joints clicking, creaking or crunching? Now, researchers say a new technique that listens closely to knees may help doctors diagnose and monitor osteoarthritis.

In the new study, researchers attached small microphones to participants' knees, which allowed them to listen for high-frequency sounds as the person repeatedly stood up and sat down again.