Study Conducted To Examine Safety of ‘Biologic’ Meds - Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

The study was published August 8, 2012 in the journal  -> Arthritis & Rheumatism.  The study looked at the 3 most popular TNF-alpha inhibitors used in the United States and in other countries to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and death rates among people treated by them.  
Even although the subjects of the study were RA patients, try looking at the disease factor with a grain of salt.  In my opinion, the more important factor is the overall safety of the Biologic medications (despite what the condition is).  Would the death rates be much different if the subjects of the study were Crohn's disease patients?  Possibly, but my guess would be that the numbers would be around the same.  So, read the article placing significance on the drug, not the disease.

 Article Highlights

"The study was published Aug. 8 in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.

The three drugs studied include Humira, Enbrel and Remicade, all from a relatively new class of medications called TNF-alpha inhibitors." 

"...understanding risk versus benefits of treatment with the most commonly prescribed biologics is important for physicians and patients in managing rheumatoid arthritis," study lead author Dr. Julia Fridman Simard, of the Clinical Epidemiology Unit at the Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, said in a journal news release."

"In the new study, Simard's team compiled information on patients with rheumatoid arthritis who began treatment between 2003 and 2008. Of these patients, more than 1,600 started taking adalimumab (Humira), almost 2,700 were prescribed etanercept (Enbrel), and more than 2,000 began treatment with infliximab (Remicade)."

"During the five-year study, 211 of the patients died. However, the researchers found no difference in death rates among the three drugs."  - The Doctors Lounge

Study Compares Safety of ‘Biologic’ Meds for Rheumatoid Arthritis --Doctors Lounge:

'via Blog this'

MARCH is NATIONAL AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

AARDA hopes to educate public on autoimmune diseases during March

March is National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month, and the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is working to educate the public on risk factors, prevalence, and the severe lack of awareness surrounding autoimmune diseases. During March, AARDA hopes to educate the public on the top five things everyone should know about autoimmune disease: (1) 50 Million Americans have an autoimmune disease, comprising a major U.S. health crisis. (2) There are 100+ autoimmune diseases including Crohn's disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis(RA), vasculitis, and Addison's disease. (3) Autoimmune diseases "cluster" in families; for example, if your grandmother had lupus, you could be at greater risk for developing an autoimmune disease. (4) Fewer than 13 percent of Americans can name an autoimmune disease. (5) Autoimmune diseases target women 75 percent more often than men; and combined, autoimmune diseases are one of the top ten killers of women under the age of 65.
Increased levels of awareness amongst the general public is more important now than ever before according to AARDA's President and Executive Director Virginia T. Ladd. She says, "Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, and celiac disease have all been shown to be on the rise, but answers as to why these increases are occurring are yet unknown. However, it is imperative that the public be more aware of their own risk factors for developing autoimmune diseases so that, as symptoms occur, they can seek a diagnosis and begin a treatment regimen. Early diagnosis and onset of treatment can make a significant difference in someone's chances of becoming disabled or suffering organ damage."

AARDA will sponsor several events this March in honor of National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month, including a free public forum, "What Every American Needs to Know About Autoimmune Disease," which will be held in partnership with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, in Denver, CO, March 3. Additionally, to increase awareness in Congress and advocate for autoimmune diseases becoming a national health priority, AARDA will host a Congressional Briefing in collaboration with the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups, on March 28. March will also bring the launch of AARDA's Autoimmune Walk Campaign led by Actress Kellie Martin who serves as the campaign's Ambassador. The campaign will lead the way to AARDA's inaugural awareness and fundraising walk which will take place in Chicago, IL on June 2.
Source: American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)

The Epoch Times Highlights 7 Diseases That Will Increase Drug Companies Profits - They Hope & Pray That You Have At Least 1 Of Them.

This article covers several different conditions and health problems from depression, to arthritis that are big money makers for the drug industry.  Conditions that can be easily categorized into a "treatable" (meaning you will be prescribed expensive medication to manage your condition) diagnosis which then allows the $$$ to come pouring in!
I have included some highlights from 1 of 3 and 2 of 3 and include the link below each highlight.  Next week I will post the 3rd and last article.
(This posting is not focused directly on Crohn's Disease and digestive diseases, however the the medications they discuss are used for some patients with Crohns, UC ect.  Also, more times than not, people have a dual diagnosis or more than 2 and are taking medication to treat the condition.  Due to the fact that these articles discuss several conditions and medications, I thought it would be worth posting to educate and expand awareness.
I like to draw attention to articles that touch on the motivations of the big pharmaceutical companies and the FDA.  When it comes to health care in the US, the system is highly flawed.  I've figured that out by reading and researching Crohn's Disease and it has lead me to read some very eye opening articles (yes they are reputable). I'm not frowning upon all drug companies and medications, I just want to inform people to be cautious and not so trusting of our medical system.  Being skeptical is being smart.

HIGHLIGHTS I COULDN'T RESIST POSTING _

"Supply-driven marketing, also known as “have drug, need disease and patients,” not only turns the nation into pill-popping hypochondriacs, it distracts from pharma’s drought of real drugs for real medical problems.

Of course not all diseases are Wall Street pleasers. To be a true blockbuster disease, a condition must meet certain criteria" 

read more............
seven-diseases-big-pharma-hopes-you-get-in-2012 1OF3

"In 2008, the FDA announced that 45 people on Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, and Cimzia died from fungal diseases. The FDA also investigated Humira’s links to lymphoma, leukemia, and melanoma in children.

This year, the FDA warned that the drugs can cause “a rare cancer of white blood cells” in young people, and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) warned of “potentially fatal Legionella and Listeria infections” from the use of these drugs."

read more............
seven-diseases-big-pharma-hopes-you-get-in-2012 2OF3