Posted on Lupus

New research provides insights into why COVID-19 vaccines are less effective in lupus patients

Katie Faliti

Katia Faliti, PhD, lead author of the study and an instructor in Emory University’s Department of Medicine Credit Emory University

A study from Emory University has revealed why mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are less effective in people with autoimmune diseases like lupus. This discovery suggests that lupus patients might need tailored vaccination strategies to enhance protection against COVID-19.

Why is this important? Lupus is a chronic disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, causing pain and inflammation. Understanding how vaccines work in lupus patients can help improve protection for this vulnerable group.

Study Findings Researchers found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in lupus patients do not generate the same level of protection as in healthy individuals. They discovered a new type of immune cell, called DN2 B cells, which is more common in lupus patients and linked to poor vaccine response. These cells make it harder for lupus patients to develop strong immunity against COVID-19.

Impact on Lupus Patients In healthy people, the vaccines create antibodies that effectively fight the virus. However, in lupus patients, about 10-30% of them do not produce these protective antibodies. Instead, they have higher levels of DN2 B cells, associated with poor vaccine response and more severe disease.

Future Directions The researchers suggest that lupus patients might need customized vaccines or additional booster shots to improve their protection against COVID-19. They also believe these findings could apply to other autoimmune diseases and help create better vaccination strategies for these groups.

Next Steps The team plans to conduct further studies to understand how to better support the immune response in lupus patients and explore new ways to improve vaccine effectiveness.

Posted on Rheumatoid arthritis

Study shows connection between childhood maltreatment and rheumatoid arthritis

A study from the University of Birmingham has found that individuals who experienced abuse, neglect, or domestic violence during childhood have a significantly higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis later in life.
A study from the University of Birmingham has found that individuals who experienced abuse, neglect, or domestic violence during childhood have a significantly higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis later in life.

Study Details The research used over 16 million Electronic Health Records to create two groups: one exposed to childhood maltreatment and one not. Over 26 years, researchers tracked these records for signs of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs) like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Key Findings The study revealed that childhood maltreatment is associated with a higher incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, especially in women. Dr. Liam Snook led the study, with senior author Professor Joht Singh Chandan, highlighting it as the first matched cohort longitudinal study to explore this link.

What Makes This Study Unique? Unlike previous studies that pooled data from multiple sources, this study followed individuals over time to determine the exact incidence of these diseases. The Dexter software used in the study can quickly analyze large databases, providing accurate and reproducible results.

Why It Matters The findings suggest new areas for research into how early life stressors might lead to immune diseases. For public health professionals, the study underscores the importance of addressing healthcare inequalities and ensuring that resources are allocated to those most in need.

Future Plans The researchers aim to use this approach to examine other areas like crime, social care, and mental health, hoping to uncover more links between early life experiences and later health outcomes.

Posted on Cognitive dysfunction, Diabetes, Diet

Diets High in Processed Red Meat Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia

Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard found that consuming large amounts of red meat, mainly processed types like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage, is linked to a higher risk of dementia. Participants who ate diets high in processed meats had a 13% higher risk of developing dementia over a follow-up period of up to 43 years.

This research highlights that red meat is not only a risk factor for chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but it also increases the risk for dementia. The study, published in the medical journal Neurology, suggests that replacing processed red meat with protein sources like nuts, legumes, or fish may reduce the risk of dementia by about 20%.

Dr. Daniel Wang from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, emphasized the importance of considering the impact of diet on brain health. He hopes the findings will encourage greater awareness of the link between diet and cognitive health.

As the U.S. population ages, dementia is becoming a growing concern. In this study, out of 133,771 participants with an average age of 49 years, 11,173 were diagnosed with dementia up to 43 years later. Data were collected from long-term studies, which included detailed information about participants’ diets.

The study found that those who ate at least a quarter of a serving of processed red meats daily had a 13% higher risk of dementia compared to those who consumed less than one-tenth of a serving. Additionally, greater processed meat consumption was associated with worse cognitive function and accelerated cognitive ageing by about 1.6 years per daily serving.

The researchers also explored self-reported cognitive decline, which often precedes noticeable cognitive impairment. They found that consuming both processed and unprocessed meats increased the risk of cognitive decline.

Further research is being conducted to understand how red meat contributes to dementia risk, particularly focusing on the gut microbiome and substances like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) that may impact brain health.

Dr. Wang noted the importance of long-term studies in understanding the causes of dementia and cognitive decline, and he emphasized the need to continue investigating the mechanisms behind these conditions.

Posted on Pain Management

Lifestyle Changes Shown to Help Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a major issue worldwide, often leading to disability.
Low back pain is a significant issue worldwide, often leading to disability.

Traditional treatments like medication don’t always provide long-term relief. However, researchers from the University of Sydney’s Centre for Rural Health have found a promising solution.

Their study, published in JAMA Network Open, shows that integrating lifestyle changes into back pain care can reduce disability and improve quality of life.

Study Details

The study involved 346 participants from across Australia, all dealing with chronic low back pain and at least one lifestyle risk factor, such as obesity, poor diet, sedentary habits, or smoking. Participants were divided into two groups: one received standard physiotherapy care, while the other joined the “Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP).”

What HeLP Included

Participants in the HeLP group received support from physiotherapists, dietitians, and health coaches who helped identify lifestyle habits affecting their back pain, like weight, inactivity, poor diet, and smoking. Over six months, they received advice and support to address these issues.

Results

The HeLP group saw significant benefits:

  • Reduced Disability: Participants scored an average of 1.3 points lower on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire.
  • Weight Loss: Participants lost an average of 1.6kg more than the control group.

Expert Insights

Associate Professor Chris Williams explained that back pain management should focus on overall health, not just the spine. He emphasized the need for comprehensive care that considers various health factors.

Dr. Emma Mudd, the lead author, highlighted that many people with long-term back pain feel abandoned and are often referred for expensive and ineffective treatments. By focusing on lifestyle changes, patients feel more in control of their pain and see improvements in their overall quality of life.

Future Implications

The researchers believe that integrating lifestyle changes into back pain care could also reduce the risk of other chronic diseases. They hope global guidelines in the future will embrace this approach.

Dr. Mudd pointed out that patients valued the holistic support, and the positive outcomes speak for themselves. Associate Professor Williams added that clinicians should consider incorporating lifestyle support into their treatment plans, ensuring patients feel heard and involved in their care decisions.

Posted on Obesity

Major Overhaul in Obesity Diagnosis: It’s Not Just About BMI Anymore

A new global initiative is shaking up how obesity is diagnosed, moving beyond the outdated BMI (Body Mass Index) method to a more accurate and comprehensive approach.

The Problem with BMI

For years, doctors have used BMI to diagnose obesity, but it’s not always reliable. BMI doesn’t account for where fat is stored in the body or how it affects health, leading to misdiagnoses. This can mean people either don’t get the help they need or are wrongly classified, which can have negative consequences.

A New Approach

The Commission on Clinical Obesity suggests combining BMI with other measures of body fat, like waist circumference or direct fat measurement, to detect obesity better. This would help reduce the risk of misclassification and ensure more accurate diagnoses.

New Diagnostic Categories

The Commission also introduces two new terms:

  • Clinical Obesity: A chronic disease with ongoing health problems due to obesity.
  • Pre-Clinical Obesity: A condition with increased health risk but no current illness.

These new categories aim to provide personalized health advice and care for people living with obesity, free from stigma and blame.

Commission’s Recommendations

  • Combine BMI with other body fat measurements.
  • Recognize clinical obesity as a chronic disease needing timely treatment.
  • Provide personalized, evidence-based care for those with pre-clinical obesity to reduce future health risks.

Why This Matters

With over a billion people worldwide living with obesity, this new approach offers a chance to redefine obesity diagnosis and improve healthcare. By looking beyond BMI, we can ensure that everyone gets the care they need, tailored to their individual health risks.

This fresh perspective aims to address the ongoing debate over whether obesity should always be considered a disease, helping to settle one of the most polarizing issues in modern medicine.