Irishhealth Clinic

New survey for people with arthritis

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:40:02 +0000

(18/03/2021) People living with arthritis are being asked to take part in a survey aimed at identifying the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on them.

This is the second survey of its type being carried out by the national patient organisation, Arthritis Ireland. It wants to identify how the pandemic has affected people’s capacity to access health services and how they feel about vaccines. It also wants to look at the impact the pandemic has had on people’s physical and mental health.

“Our 2020 survey showed that four in 10 people with inflammatory arthritis had a hospital appointment to see their consultant cancelled or postponed during the first phase of the pandemic. One-third had scans, blood tests or other tests cancelled or postponed.

“These are significant findings, because arthritis is a chronic condition for which there is no cure. If people cannot access the health services they need, there is increased risk of long-term damage to their health,” explained Brian Lynch, head of communications and advocacy at Arthritis Ireland.

He said that these survey findings “will give us the data to advocate on behalf of the one million people living with arthritis”.

“This is a destructive disease that causes enormous pain to people. Arthritis doesn’t stop while we’re trying to solve the pandemic,” he added.

The survey can be carried out online and it is anonymous. To participate, click here.

For more information on Arthritis Ireland, click here.

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Scientists a step closer to new arthritis therapy

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 13:00:03 +0000

(13/11/2020) Scientists have taken a step closer to developing a new therapy for people affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RA is a chronic and often painful condition that affects the joints, causing them to become inflamed. The condition, which can have a major impact on quality of life, affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide, including around 40,000 in Ireland.

While many presume this to be a disease that affects older people, onset usually occurs between the ages of 35 and 45, and children can also be affected. There is currently no cure.

However, a team of scientists led by Dr Achilleas Floudas and Prof Ursula Fearon from Trinity College Dublin (TCD), have pinpointed two new potential therapeutic targets for RA.

These involve ‘B cells’, which are key cells of the immune system. They are responsible for the production of antibodies that fight infections. With RA, these B cells “fail to recognise friend from foe and thus attack the joints”, the researchers noted.

The reasons for this are not fully understood. However the scientists have discovered a new cell population that appears to be particularly troublesome in people with RA. They have also learned how these troublesome cells accumulate in joints.

“We discovered a novel population of B cells in the joints of patients with RA, and these cells are more inflammatory and invasive than those we knew before.

“Their damaging effects rely on the production of specific coded messages, in the form of proteins called cytokines and energy pathways within the cells, which essentially maintain their activation. Basically, they ‘switch on’, cause inflammation, and are maintained within the environment of the inflamed joint,” Dr Floudas explained.

He said that the scientists had also discovered a new mechanism by which these B cells accumulate in the joint, “by pinpointing the protein that seems to be responsible for attracting them to the joints”.

“As a result, we now have two new potential targets for people living with RA. We are some way away from a therapeutic solution, but if we can find a way of targeting these B cells and/or the protein that attracts them to the joints, we can one day hope to develop a therapy that could impact positively on millions of people living with RA,” he noted.

This research was funded by the Health Research Board and Arthritis Ireland. Details are published in the journal, JCI Insight.

For more information on RA, click here.

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Better rheumatoid arthritis services needed

admin — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:40:01 +0000

(13/06/2017) Half of adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have to had to change jobs because of the condition, while 24% have had to reduce their hours, a new survey has found.

RA is a painful inflammatory condition affecting the joints. Around 40,000 people in Ireland have the condition and it can start at any age, although it is most likely to develop between the ages of 30 and 50.

The survey of almost 180 people with RA was carried out on behalf of Arthritis Ireland.

It found 76% of people with RA worry that their medication will stop working and 77% wish they could take fewer medications for the condition. Of those taking prescription medications, 52% wish they had more medication options available to them.

When asked about their treatment goals, 68% said they would like to reduce fatigue and 63% would like to reduce pain. Some 64% would like to increase their level of physical activity and 56% would like to be able to undertake their daily activities more comfortably.

Meanwhile, 88% of those surveyed said that they worry about disease progression, while 64% worry that the condition will affect their ability to lead an independent life.

“This research is incredibly insightful and a welcome development in identifying the needs of RA patients. As a physician, I am always keen to understand patient feedback, their concerns and requirements. This feedback indicates the need to determine an effective, collaborative relationship between patients and their RA physician to work together to better manage RA.

“It is vital that RA patients are presented with treatment options and there is a need for ongoing development into new, innovative treatments,” commented Prof Doug Veale, a consultant rheumatologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital.

According to Arthritis Ireland’s head of services, Grainne O’Leary, this survey shows that the impact of RA on quality of life is a major concern for those affected.

“At Arthritis Ireland, we have developed a suite of self-management programmes to give people the skills and tools to live with their diagnosis daily. This new research identifies the need for greater services around the country to assist those with RA to live a normal, active life and to empower them to work with their specialist to manage the condition,” she said.

The survey was carried out in March and April as part of Pfizer’s RA NarRAtive initiative, which aims to highlight the key role of the patient in the successful management of RA.

Among those surveyed, the average age at the time of diagnosis was 40 and the average length of time living with the condition was 10 years.

For more information on Arthritis Ireland, click here

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Awareness of psoriatic arthritis low

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:00:01 +0000

(08/02/2017) Almost half of people affected by the skin disease, psoriasis, have never heard of the painful condition psoriatic arthritis, despite the fact that many of them will go on to develop it, new research has shown.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition, which appears as pink or red raised patches on the skin, known as plaques. These can be painful and itchy. An estimated 73,000 people in Ireland are affected and the condition can have a major impact on both physical and mental health.

According to research launched as part of a new campaign, up to 30% of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause pain, swelling and damage to the joints. However, 46% of people with the skin condition have never even heard of this form of arthritis.

Furthermore, 87% of people with psoriasis have never received any information about psoriatic arthritis and just 14% feel they are well informed and know a lot about it.

“The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are quite different to those of psoriasis in that it’s a disease of joints rather than a disease of the skin. Those affected will experience swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints and will have difficulty moving their joints, particularly the hands, knees or feet.

“Early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is important. If we intervene and treat early, we may be able to put the disease into remission and prevent permanent damage to the joints,” explained Prof David Kane, a consultant rheumatologist at Tallaght Hospital and the Beacon Hospital.

The new campaign, ‘More than Skin Deep’, includes a series of videos that provide information on psoriatic arthritis from both experts and patients.

“I encourage everyone with psoriasis to watch the ‘More than Skin Deep’ video series to understand the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis so they can be diagnosed and treated early,” Prof Kane said.

While the symptoms of this form of arthritis can vary from person to person, they can include:-Thickening and discolouration of the nails-Stiff, painful and swollen joints. This type of arthritis often effects the toes, ankles, knees and lower back-Fingers and toe can swell up like sausages-Pain and swelling at the back of the heel.

Marion Morrissey was diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 15. The condition grew worse over the years, eventually affecting 70% of her body. She was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2010.

“I noticed that my joints, particularly my hands, were sore and swollen. Things like grabbing a hair brush and grasping the steering wheel of the car were increasingly difficult. The pain began to affect every part of my life as the larger joints became swollen and stiff as well.

“I was referred to a rheumatologist, who diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis and started me on my treatment journey. I was lucky in that there’s little permanent damage to my joints and my pain has reduced significantly meaning I can do the things I love, work full time and partake fully in family life,” she explained.

According to consultant dermatologist at Tallaght Hospital, Dr Anne-Marie Tobin, it is important to emphasise that not everyone with psoriasis will develop arthritis. However, she said she advises all of her patients with psoriasis to pay close attention and talk to their doctor if they notice any symptoms of arthritis, such as pain or swelling in the joints.

This new campaign was launched by Arthritis Ireland and Janssen Ireland. According to Arthritis Ireland CEO, John Church, awareness of psoriatic arthritis in Ireland is low, ‘yet it can have a profound effect on people’s lives, causing pain, discomfort and reducing their ability to do the things they enjoy’.

“Part of our mission is to educate people so they can understand their condition, learn to manage it and reduce the impact it has on their lives. We encourage people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to watch the ‘More than Skin Deep’ video series and contact Arthritis Ireland or their healthcare professional if they are concerned or have questions,” Mr Church said.

The videos can be viewed here, here and here

For more information on arthritis, click here

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Hundreds of children waiting in pain

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 17:20:01 +0000

(10/10/2016) Hundreds of children with the painful joint condition, arthritis, are being left languishing on waiting lists due to a severe lack of appropriate staff, Arthritis Ireland has warned.

According to the charity, 565 children are currently waiting to see a consultant paediatric rheumatologist for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) – the most common form of arthritis found in children. However, there are only two consultant paediatric rheumatologists appointed for the entire country.

Furthermore, waiting lists for young people have jumped this year, with the number of children waiting in pain for at least 18 months to be seen by a doctor, having increased by 400% since January of this year.

Over 1,200 children of all ages are affected by arthritis in Ireland, however the paediatric rheumatology service at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin (OLCHC) simply does not have enough staff to deal with the numbers waiting to be seen.

While there is no cure for arthritis, children can have a normal and active life if they receive the correct standards of care. However in Ireland, children with suspected arthritis are being left for more than a year-and-a-half before being seen. The British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR) recommends that children with suspected arthritis must be seen by a paediatric rheumatology team within four weeks of a referral being made.

“Ireland has only two paediatric rheumatology consultants and we are ranked as having one of the lowest number of paediatric rheumatologists in Europe. If left untreated, this condition can quickly lead to permanent joint damage, muscle wastage and deformity, not to mention the trauma a child and its family experiences. Children deserve better,” commented Arthritis Ireland CEO, John Church.

The charity is highlighting this issue as part of National Arthritis Week, which runs from October 10-16. Speaking about her experience, 16-year-old Darcy White said that she had to wait almost two years to be seen by a doctor.

“Having waited for nearly two years to be diagnosed, I know how important it is to have quick access to a rheumatologist to get the treatment you need. Nobody knows this more than me. Had I been seen earlier my condition would not be this aggressive. The pain is excruciating. It often brings me to tears,” she explained.

She added that arthritis ‘came out of nowhere’, changing her life completely.

“It stopped me from doing the things I love, and I hate it for that. I wish with all my heart that the services for children with arthritis would improve. Children should not be left waiting in pain. Don’t they realise they are robbing our childhood and causing irreparable damage physically and emotionally? Don’t they care?” she asked.

Arthrits Ireland has described this as a ‘national crisis’. It is calling for the urgent appointment of a third consultant paediatric rheumatologist at OLCHC to help tackle the waiting lists there.

“Children on waiting lists are not just waiting in pain, they are also at risk of permanent, irreversible joint damage that impacts on their ability to live as normal a life as possible,” the charity said.

It is appealing to members of the public to sign its petition looking for the appointment of a third consultant paediatric consultant. To sign the petition, click here

For more information on Arthritis Ireland, click here

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450 kids with arthritis on waiting list

admin — Tue, 03 May 2016 13:40:01 +0000

(03/05/2016) Almost 450 children with the painful joint disease, arthritis, are currently waiting to be seen by specialist doctors, Arthritis Ireland (AI) has said.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes pain and immobility, ranging from mild to severe. In Ireland around 915,000 people, including 1,100 children, are living with the condition, making it the single biggest cause of disability here.

AI is highlighting some of the startling facts when it comes to children with this condition, as part of Children with Arthritis Awareness Month, which runs throughout May.

According to the charity, one in every 1,000 children in Ireland has arthritis and the condition can lead to much more than just joint pain. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of vision, high temperature, muscle wastage and damage to joints.

AI emphasised the importance of early diagnosis in order to help avoid preventable joint damage and potential complications. However, it noted that there are currently 447 children in pain waiting to be seen by specialist doctors.

The charity also noted that 60% of parents surveyed said that the hardest part about their child having this condition is seeing them in pain, but not being able to do anything to help.

AI uses funds that it raises to help in a number of ways, including providing courses to children and their parents to show them how to live with the disease, and funding research to help find a cure.

If you would like to donate to AI, click here

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Paracetamol does not reduce arthritis pain

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 22:00:02 +0000

(21/03/2016) A large study has found that taken on its own, paracetamol has no role to play in the treatment of the most common form of arthritis, as it is ‘not clinically effective’.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness. Most Irish people over the age of 55 have evidence of the condition at some joint in their body. The most common weight-bearing joint affected by the condition is the knee.

Paracetamol, along with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen, are often used as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate pain caused by osteoarthritis. However, as there are more side-effects with NSAIDs, paracetamol tends to be used more often in the long-term.

Swiss researchers decided to assess the effectiveness of various treatments. They pooled data from over 70 trials that had been published between 1980 and 2015. These trials involved more than 58,500 people with osteoarthritis.

The researchers compared the effects of 22 different treatments, as well as placebo. These treatments included different doses of paracetamol and seven NSAIDs.

The study found that all 22 treatments improved symptoms of pain when compared with placebo, irrespective of the dose given.

However when it came to paracetamol, while the drug was found to be slightly better than placebo, it did not meet the minimum standards of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function among those with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

“NSAIDs are usually only used to treat short-term episodes of pain in osteoarthritis, because the side-effects are thought to outweigh the benefits when used longer term. Because of this, paracetamol is often prescribed to manage long-term pain instead of NSAIDs. However, our results suggest that paracetamol at any dose is not effective in managing pain in osteoarthritis,” commented Dr Sven Trelle of the University of Bern.

He noted that some NSAIDs were effective and so could be used ‘intermittently without paracetamol’.

“NSAIDs are some of the most widely used drugs for patients with osteoarthritis. There is a range of different drugs at different dosages that doctors can prescribe, but patients often switch between drugs, or stop taking them because the first one they use hasn’t sufficiently helped control the pain. We hope our study can help better inform doctors about how best to manage pain in this population,” Dr Trelle said.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, The Lancet. In a linked comment, Prof Nicholas Moore of the University of Bordeaux in France, added that many patients ‘may be suffering needlessly because of perceived NSAIDs risks and paracetamol benefits, which might not be real’….

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Children get arthritis too

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:40:01 +0000

(12/10/2015) Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in Ireland and those affected are fed up with the myth that the condition ‘is just a few aches and pains that affects older people’, Arthritis Ireland (AI) has said.

This week is National Arthritis Week and as part of this, the charity has launched a major new awareness campaign aimed at shifting public perceptions about the disease.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes pain and immobility, ranging from mild to severe. There are over 100 types, the most common of which are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some 60% of people affected are under the age of 65.

Currently in Ireland, almost one million adults and over 1,000 children are affected by some form of arthritis – a situation AI describes as a ‘crisis’.

“People with arthritis in Ireland are fed up living with the stereotype that it is just a few aches and pains that just affects older people when, in fact, the reality is very different. Ireland is now in the midst of an arthritis crisis. It is the single biggest cause of disability here, affecting nearly one million people from newborn babies’ right through to the elderly,” explained AI chief executive, John Church.

He pointed out that the number of people affected by the disease is expected to jump by 30% by the year 2030.

“Funds are urgently needed to address this crisis, to invest in research to find new treatments and a cure, and to provide services to help people control this devastating disease,” he commented.

In order to highlight that this is not just a disease of older people, AI has launched an online video, Children Get Arthritis Too!, which can be viewed here

Speaking about the disease, Irene Collins, whose daughter Grace was diagnosed when she was just two-and-a-half years old, said the family was ‘shocked’ to discover what she had arthritis at such a young age.

“It is a condition she lives with daily, and people don’t always get what that means and the harsh impact it has on her childhood. Sometimes she’s in so much pain she can’t even walk,” Ms Collins explained.

National Arthritis Week runs until October 18. For more information on how to live well with arthritis, click here or call AI on 1890 252 846.

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New app for people with rheumatoid arthritis

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 11:40:02 +0000

(22/09/2015) A new app has been launched to help Irish people suffering with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RA is a chronic and often painful condition that affects the joints, causing them to become inflamed. Around 40,000 people in Ireland are affected, almost three in four of whom are women.

The RAISE app has been developed by the rheumatology unit at St James’s Hospital in Dublin in conjunction with support group, Arthritis Ireland. The app provides a number of key features, including:

-Comprehensive information on RA-A progress monitor and activity tracker: This allows the user to record their pain and activity levels each week. This information can then be shared with their doctor during consultations-‘Take Control with Exercise’ programme: Simple exercise videos can be viewed and selected to help people focus on their own problem areas. The exercises included are designed to increase muscle strength and stamina, reduce fatigue and improve flexibility-Patient stories -Arthritis life hacks: Tips and advice on how to manage the condition in every day life-Information on working with arthritis.

“People of all ages are living with RA. No cure exists at present and the exact cause is unknown. However, there are many treatments available that can help to control the disease. The launch of the RAISE app is an important step in helping those with RA to manage their condition more efficiently and provides instant access to expert information, tips and resources,” commented Dr Michele Doran, a consultant rheumatologist at St James’s Hospital.

There are over 100 types of arthritis, affecting some 915,000 people in Ireland and according to Arthritis Ireland, this app may also benefit people with other types of arthritis.

“We welcome the launch of this first of its kind app and are confident it will significantly help those suffering with arthritis. Apps of this type provide a welcome additional tool to help people self-manage their condition,” said Arthritis Ireland CEO, John Church.

The RAISE app is available on both iOS and Android platforms and is free of charge.

For more general information on RA, see our RA Clinic here

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UCD scientists in arthritis breakthrough

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 15:40:01 +0000

(02/09/2015) People who are most likely to suffer the severest effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can now be identified early and provided with more aggressive treatments earlier on, thanks to a discovery by scientists at University College Dublin (UCD).

RA is a chronic and often painful condition that affects the joints, causing them to become inflamed. Around 40,000 people in Ireland are affected.

Scientists at UCD have identified a new protein called C5orf30, which regulates the severity of tissue damage caused by RA. This means that those most likely to suffer the severest effects of the disease can be identified early and given the appropriate treatment.

While there is currently no cure for RA, new drugs are able to treat the disease by, for example, preventing deformed joints. Other ways of managing the condition include regular exercise.

The UCD scientists, working with a team from the University of Sheffield, analysed DNA and biopsy samples from more than 1,000 people with RA in Ireland and the UK.

“Our findings provide a genetic marker that could be used to identify those RA patients who require more aggressive treatments or personalised medicine. They also point to the possibility that increasing the levels of C5orf30 in the joints might be a novel method of reducing tissue damage caused by RA,” explained lead researcher, Prof Gerry Wilson, of the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.

The scientists pointed out that an estimated 30% of people with RA are unable to work within 10 years of developing the condition and it affects more women than men.

Commenting on the breakthrough, John Church, CEO of Arthritis Ireland, said that treatments for RA have greatly improved in recent years.

“Thirty years ago, rheumatologists’ waiting rooms were filled with people in wheelchairs. Today, that is no longer the case. The outlook for a person diagnosed with arthritis in 2015 is much brighter than it used to be. We are getting closer and closer to personalised medicine. This discovery is further proof that we are in the right space and investing our money wisely,” he commented.

Details of these findings are published in the scientific journal, PNAS. For more information on RA, see our RA Clinic here

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