Janet S. Austin, Ph.D.Director, Office of Communications and Public LiaisonNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesNational Institutes of Health

Connecting Science to PeopleConnecting Science to People

Connecting Science to Connecting Science to PeoplePeople

• Make medical research personally relevant

• Serve as trusted source of health information

• Explain NIH’s role in medical research

Communication Objectives

NIH Resource: NIH Resource: NIH Web Site, www.nih.govNIH Web Site, www.nih.gov

http://medlineplus.gov

http://clinicaltrials.gov

NIH Resource: NIH Resource: Other NIH Web SitesOther NIH Web Sites

NIAMS Mission

• The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health, is to support:

• research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases,

• the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and

• the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases.

Connecting Science to PeopleConnecting Science to People

“Our research belongs ultimately to the

American people, for whom we serve as

stewards in improving the public's

health.”

Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D. NIAMS Director

Connecting Science to PeopleConnecting Science to People

What OCPL DoesWhat OCPL Does • Publications

• Feature writing

• Media liaison

• Inquiry response

• Outreach

• Public liaison 

 

• Web management

• Communications support

• Clearinghouse contract management

• Multicultural health communications

• Web content management

OCPL StaffOCPL Staff• Writer-editors

• Public affairs specialists

• Health educators

• Public liaison officer

• Web manager

• Information assistants

• Support staff

• Project officers

Points of ServicePoints of Service

• NIAMS Office of Communication and Public Liaison (OCPL)

• NIAMS Information Clearinghouse

• NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases~National Resource Center

Publications: Production and Publications: Production and DisseminationDissemination

• Handouts on Health

• Questions and Answers series

• Fact Sheets

• Special publications (e.g., Progress and Promise)

• Easy-to-read, bilingual, and Spanish publications

• Information packets

• Newsletters: Shorttakes, IRPartners, E-Blast

Public LiaisonPublic Liaison• Outreach to constituency

groups

• Contact for constituent referral for Members of Congress

• Liaison to NIAMS Coalition

• Public contact for policy matters

Web Content ManagementWeb Content Management• Web design

• Web policy

• Information updates

• Technology issues

• Inquiry response

• Content

Information Development and Information Development and DisseminationDissemination

Guiding Principles:• Provide culturally appropriate, audience-specific

educational materials written in plain language• Routinely review and revise existing materials• Facilitate rigorous review of NIAMS materials by the

scientific and lay communities• Work collaboratively with other NIH/DHHS

organizations, voluntary and professional groups, and universities and medical centers in developing materials

• Effectively use intermediaries for distribution, including faith- and community-based organizations, NIAMS partners, the Federal Consumer Information Center, and health professionals

Arthritis Overview

What is Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease?

Rheumatic diseases involve the muscle, joints, and bones. There are over 100 rheumatic diseases.

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation.

Many rheumatic diseases cause inflammation of joints and also muscle, bones, and other supporting structures.

Diagnosing Arthritis

Early diagnosis and treatment is important.

Diagnosis can be difficult because some symptoms and signs are common to many different diseases.

It may take more than one office visit for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. 

Treating Arthritis

Treatment Goals:

Relieve pain Control inflammation Slow down or stop joint damage Improve well-being and ability to

function Prevent disability

Ways to Treat Arthritis

Lifestyle changes

Medications

Surgery

Complementary and alternative medicine and nutritional supplements

Lifestyle changes

Healthful diet and weight control

Exercise

Rest and relief

Non-drug pain relief

Healthful Diet and Weight Control

An overall nutritious diet is important

Weight loss can reduce stress on weight-bearing joints

Limit or avoid consuming alcohol

A dietitian can help

Exercise

Reduces joint pain

Helps maintain healthy weight

Increases flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness, and endurance

Ask a doctor or physical therapist what exercises are best for you

Rest and Relief

Learn your body’s signals on when to stop or slow down

Rest helps reduce joint inflammation and fights fatigue

Short breaks better than prolonged time in bed

Splints or braces can take pressure off joints

Assistive devices helps reduce joint stress

Non-Drug Pain Relief

Relaxation, distraction, visualization exercises

Heat and cold treatments

Massage

TENS

Medications

Corticosteroids

Disease-Modifying

Antirheumatic Drugs

(DMARDs)

Analgesics (pain

relievers)

Nonsteroidal Anti-

Inflammatory Drugs

(NSAIDs)

Biological response modifiers

Hyaluronic acid products

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

or Pharmacist How often should I take this medicine?

Should I take this medicine with food or between meals?

What side effects might occur?

Should I take this medicine with the other prescription medicines I take?

Is this medication safe considering other medical conditions I have?

Surgery

Surgery is used to: Reduce pain Improve the affected joint’s function Improve ability to perform daily

activities

Things to consider Level of disability Intensity of pain Age Occupation Level of interference with the

patient’s lifestyle

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Ongoing research on therapies for people with osteoarthritis: Acupuncture Nutritional supplements

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate

Vitamins D Green tea

NIAMS Arthritis Research

NARAC

NIAMS IRP

OAI CARRA

Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI)

• A Public-Private Partnership• Funded by 7 NIH Components, the

FDA and several pharmaceutical companies

• Includes 4,800 participants at risk for developing knee OA

• GOALS:• To create research resources to

aid in the identification and evaluation of biomarkers for OA

• To further drug development and improve public health

North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium

(NARAC)• A multicenter group that seeks

to identify RA susceptibility genes

• Recent discoveries include the identification of susceptibility genes common to people with RA and lupus, and identifying a new RA susceptibility gene region

Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research

Alliance (CARRA)

NIAMS supports many CARRA studies, including:

• Trial of Early Aggressive Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

NIAMS Intramural Research Program

(IRP)• NIAMS Community Health Center

(Cardozo area of Washington, D.C.)

• NIAMS Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

• NIAMS Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch

• NIAMS Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch

For more information

www.niams.nih.gov/health_info

2 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892 - 3676

Phone: 301-495-4484

Toll Free: 877-226-4267

Email: NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov

http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info

NIAMSInformation

Clearinghouse

Osteoporosis Overview

Why Are Healthy Bones Important?

• Strong bones support us and allow us to move

• Bones are a storehouse for vital minerals

• Strong bones protect our heart, lungs, brain and other organs

Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture.

Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy. NIH Consens Statement 2000 March 27-29;

17(1): 1-36.

Prevalence

• In the United States 8 million women and 2 million men have osteoporosis

• An additional 34 million Americans currently have low bone mass

• One out of two women and one out of four men aged 50 years and older will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime

Osteoporosis risk factors that you cannot change

• Gender – risk is greater for women

• Age - the older you are, the greater your risk

• Body size - Small, thin-boned women are at greater risk.

• Ethnicity - Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk. African American and Hispanic women have a lower but significant risk.

• Family history - Fracture risk may be due, in

part, to heredity.

Osteoporosis risk factorsthat you can change

• Sex hormones - Abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), low estrogen level (menopause), and low testosterone level in men.

• Anorexia nervosa - increases risk

• Calcium and vitamin D intake - A lifetime diet low in calcium and vitamin D.

• Medication use - Long-term use of glucocorticoids and some anticonvulsants and others.

Osteoporosis risk factorsthat you can change

• Physical Activity - An inactive lifestyle or extended bed rest tends to weaken bones.

• Cigarette smoking - Cigarettes are bad for bones as well as the heart and lungs.

• Alcohol intake - Excessive consumption increases the risk of bone loss and fractures.

DXA: The Gold Standard

Medications

•Bisphosphonates - Bisphosphonates slow the

bone breakdown process. Healthy bones are in a state of continuous breakdown and rebuilding. As you get older, and especially after menopause when your estrogen levels decrease, the bone breakdown process accelerates. When bone rebuilding fails to keep pace, bones deteriorate and become weaker. Bisphosphonates basically put a brake on that.

•Raloxifene - Raloxifene is in a class of medications

called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Raloxifene prevents and treats osteoporosis by mimicking the effects of estrogen (a female hormone produced by the body) to increase the density (thickness) of bone.

•Calcitonin - Calcitonin is a medicine that slows the rate of

bone loss and relieves bone pain.

•Teriparatide - Teriparatide contains a synthetic form

of natural human hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH). It works by causing the body to build new bone and by increasing bone strength and density (thickness).

•Estrogen/Hormone Therapy

Universal Steps for Strong Bones

• A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D

•Regular weight-bearing activity

•Healthy lifestyle

Calcium

• Food sources are recommended

Dairy productsFortified foodsGreen vegetables

• Supplements are often necessary

How Much Calcium?

Age Amount

0-6 months 210 mg/day

7-12 months 270 mg/day

1-3 years 500 mg/day

4-8 years 800 mg/day

9-18 years 1300 mg/day

19-50 years 1000 mg/day

Over 50 years 1200 mg/day

Vitamin D

•Necessary for the absorption of calcium

•Synthesized in skin on exposure to sunlight or ingested in foods such as egg yolks, fish, liver, or supplements

•Fortified milk, cereals and orange calcium

Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin

•According to National

Osteoporosis Foundation,

usually 10-15 minutes

exposure of hands, arms and

face two to three times a

week (depending on one's

skin sensitivity) is enough to

satisfy the body's vitamin D

requirement.

Physical Activity

• Weight-bearing (walking, stair climbing, dancing)

• Tai chi – enhances muscle function and balance

• Avoid exercises that involve:

Forward flexion of the spineBending from the waistTwisting or jerking the spine

Keep one foot on the ground

NIAMS-funded Osteoporosis

Research

Good Vibrations

Can vibrations build bone and reduce fat?

NIH-NASA Partnership

Mr. OS

NIH Senior Health.gov

2 AMS Circle

Bethesda,  MD 20892-3676

Phone: 202–223–0344

Toll Free: 800–624–BONE

TTY: 202-466-4315

Fax: 202-293-2356

Email: NIAMSBoneInfo@mail.nih.gov

Website:

http://www.niams.nih.gov//bone/

NIH ORBD~NRC