Patient-Friendly News You Can Use: July

In this issue, we unveil groundbreaking treatments for lupus that could change lives, share the latest news on COVID surges, explore the unique challenges men face with IgG4-RD, and introduce a “Fitbit for the gut” to monitor GI health from home.  

Plus, learn about the surprising link between vitiligo and higher risks of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and the overlap of two similar inflammatory conditions. Dive in to stay informed and empowered in your health journey! 

Promising Breakthrough in Lupus Treatment

A recent study from researchers at Northwestern University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital offers promising insights into treating lupus, a complex autoimmune disease affecting more than 200,000 people in the U.S.  

The researchers found that people with lupus had higher levels of certain T cells, which produce antibodies that mistakenly attack the body. They identified a lack of activity in a specific receptor in these T cells, suggesting that activating this receptor could change how the immune system behaves. While this discovery is exciting and may lead to new therapies, any potential treatment is still several years away. 

The study’s findings open the door to potentially safer and more effective treatments by targeting the disease’s root causes. Although a cure is not yet within reach, this research is a significant step forward in understanding and potentially managing lupus more effectively in the future. If this works for lupus, could it work for other autoimmune diseases too?  

COVID Cases Rising

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again, prompting health officials to recommend updated vaccines for both COVID-19 and influenza this fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, for the week ending June 29, the COVID test positivity rate across the U.S. was 9 percent, which is a 0.8 percent increase from the previous week. This is higher than levels seen during early May. The number of emergency room visits for COVID-like illnesses and hospitalizations has increased, signaling a concerning trend.  

The CDC has observed new subvariants of the virus’s Omicron variant, including the so-called “FLiRT” variants (such as KP.2 and KP.3), as well as a newer variant called LB.1.  

The new COVID variant, KP.3, is more contagious but less likely to cause severe disease. According to a CDC statement, Dr. Mandy Cohen, CDC Director, advised making a vaccination plan for you and your family ahead of the respiratory virus season. This is especially crucial for individuals 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems because these newer variants are more easily transmittable than previous variants.  

Health experts stress the importance of vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness, especially as new variants emerge. Updated vaccines will be available later this summer, and getting vaccinated can help ease the strain on healthcare facilities and protect vulnerable populations. Talk with your health care provider to make sure you are up to date with the latest vaccines.

IgG4-RD Discovery: Men Face Higher Risks

A new study has found that men are more than twice as likely to develop IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) compared to women. This autoimmune condition, which has only been recognized in the last 20 years, shows significant sex differences in its impact on organs and the immune response.  

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital studied 328 patients and discovered that 69 percent were men. The study also revealed that men were typically diagnosed later in life and had more severe organ involvement, especially in the pancreas and kidneys, compared to women. Additionally, men showed more active B-cell responses, which are part of the immune system’s response. 

The findings highlight a unique aspect of IgG4-RD, contrasting with other autoimmune diseases that more commonly affect women. Understanding these sex differences is crucial for improving treatment strategies.  

The study suggests that male patients might experience more severe disease due to greater organ involvement and higher immune activity levels. These insights could lead to more personalized treatment approaches, and future research will be needed to determine if men and women respond differently to treatments.

A Gut Gas Detector for GI Problems?

What lengths might you go to if you could better monitor your gut? Would you wear a communication device involving coils?  

An AI-enabled system combines wearable coils and ingestible “smart” pills to identify and track gases in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This innovative approach offers a non-invasive way to monitor digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerances, and gastric cancers. Traditional methods often require uncomfortable, hospital-based procedures, but this new system could provide a simpler, at-home alternative. 

This “Fitbit for the gut,” as described by Dr. Yasser Kahn at University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering, involves swallowing a small pill that communicates with a wearable coil. The pill can detect and measure gases like oxygen and ammonia, which can indicate digestive issues. For example, high levels of ammonia might signal peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. This system allows patients to monitor their digestive health conveniently from home, potentially leading to earlier detection and better management of their conditions.

Surprising Link: Vitiligo and RA and Lupus

Vitiligo is a skin condition where white spots appear because the skin cells that produce color (melanocytes) are lost. While vitiligo itself doesn’t affect your lifespan, it can impact your self-esteem and mental health. Research suggests that vitiligo might be connected to autoimmune diseases, where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. 

Recent studies have shown that people with vitiligo have a higher risk of developing certain rheumatic diseases, which affect the joints and connective tissues. Specifically, there is research-based evidence suggesting a genetic link between vitiligo and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This means that if you have vitiligo, you might be more likely to develop RA or SLE.  

Understanding this connection can help you monitor and manage these conditions more effectively. If you have vitiligo, it is important to be aware of these potential risks and to discuss them with your health care provider, ensuring regular check-ups and early interventions if needed. 

Study Links PMR and GCA in Older Adults  

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles, particularly in the shoulders, hips, and neck. It usually affects people over the age of 50 and can make it difficult to move and perform daily activities, especially in the morning. 

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), on the other hand, is a condition where the blood vessels, especially those in the head and neck, become inflamed. This inflammation can cause severe headaches, jaw pain, and vision problems. Like PMR, GCA is also more common in older adults. 

Both PMR and GCA are inflammatory diseases and can sometimes occur together. In a recent study, researchers found that 45 percent of patients with GCA also had symptoms of PMR. These patients experienced symptoms for a longer period before receiving a diagnosis and showed less severe inflammation. They also faced a higher risk of persistent disease, relapses, and required longer and higher doses of glucocorticoid treatments compared to those without PMR symptoms.  

Interestingly, while PMR symptoms were associated with more challenging disease management, these patients had a lower risk of developing thoracic aortic aneurysms, a serious complication often seen in GCA. 

Want to Get More Involved with Patient Advocacy?

The 50-State Network is the grassroots advocacy arm of CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation, comprised of patients with chronic illness who are trained as health care activists to proactively connect with local, state, and federal health policy stakeholders to share their perspective and influence change. If you want to effect change and make health care more affordable and accessible to patients with chronic illness, learn more here.