Aurora magazine

People born of women with rheumatoid arthritis are at greater risk of developing certain chronic diseases. This is what emerges from a study led by Dr. Line Jølving, from Odense University Hospital. The discovery was published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research and could help in the prevention of certain disorders.

The team conducted a nationwide study with a very long follow-up. Researchers analyzed data on all children born in Denmark over a 25-year period. Among these there are 2,016 children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis and 1,378,539 born to women without arthritis. The goal was to verify if the maternal illness involves risks for the fetus and what is their nature.

The researchers found that those born of a woman with arthritis are more likely to develop chronic diseases in childhood and adolescence. Specifically, the presence of maternal rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a 2.9 times higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in turn. Scientists also found a 1.6-fold higher risk of epilepsy and a 2.2-fold higher than thyroid disease.

The discovery is useful for developing new treatments and prevention pathways. In fact, maternal illness can indicate the need for greater attention to the health of the child.

Source: eurekalert.org

The universities of Harvard and La Sapienza have signed a historic agreement in the name of medical research. For the next 10 years, the two universities will cooperate in training and research. The agreement was signed by the rector Eugenio Gaudio and the president of Brigham and Women's Hospital Bwh Elizabeth G. Nabel.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the US university in Boston, provides a series of joint projects. There will be an exchange of staff and students between the two universities, as well as research conducted on four hands and exchange of scientific information. An essential partnership to face the growing challenges of contemporary medicine.

According to the rector Gaudio, the ultimate goal of the international scientific community is to ensure psychophysical wellbeing and health for as many people as possible. For this reason, it is important for universities to embrace a new approach to research. Mobilization and exchange create a common space in which to grow ideas. This is the final aim of the agreement between the Harvard University Hospital and La Sapienza.

For resource management, the two universities will rely on the European Institute for Network Medicine. Although this is formed by the Bwh, this will be organized according to an international horror shared by the parties.

Source: repubblica.it

The research Anmar we care, the quality of care from the point of view of the patient and his rheumatologist reveals information on those suffering from rheumatic diseases. 364 questionnaires filled out by rheumatic patients and 182 by doctors, to take a picture of the conditions of those living with these diseases.

74% of those affected defined their quality of life poor, while 46% had problems with taking treatment. In addition, more than 80% of respondents reported anxiety and depression problems caused by chronic pain. Yet there is hope: the better the relationship with the medical staff, the higher the quality of life of the patient.

According to the study, patients who have a good relationship with the doctor follow the therapies better. And those who follow the therapies better have more chances of living an almost normal life. In case of early diagnosis, in fact, many patients can hope for so-called clinical remission. This provides for the attenuation of symptoms, if not their complete disappearance. If protracted over time, it is even comparable to a cure. However, such an objective is possible only with: early diagnosis; adequate therapies; harmony between rheumatologist and patient in the care strategy.

The fight against rheumatic diseases also goes through prevention. Numerous studies have shown that a healthy lifestyle helps combat the onset of rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic autoimmune diseases. In particular, it is important that people predisposed genetically prefer a diet low in protein and fat. Instead, vitamins, fibers and moderate physical activity are promoted.

Source: corriere.it

A company could revolutionize the world of pregnancy tests. In fact, Lia is coming, the eco-sustainable test that can be folded and thrown into the toilet.

Pregnancy tests developed over the past 30 years have become increasingly technological. Some of these even mark the weeks of gestation and the false positives are very few. Nevertheless, they all have a problem: where to throw them once you've seen the result? The answer comes from a start-up, which has developed the first eco-sustainable pregnancy test.

Like other home pregnancy tests, Lia also reacts to hormones in the urine. If the test is positive, two lines appear; if the test is negative, only one is shown. The difference is that Lia is composed of the same vegetable fibers used for normal toilet paper. This means that you can throw it in the toilet, as it is completely biodegradable.

The new eco-sustainable pregnancy test is precise just like the traditional, much more polluting ones. It has a reliability that is around 99% and, in addition, it helps to leave a better world to the new life on the way.

Source: independent.co.uk