| Greetings!
Thank you for subscribing to the weekly Scleroderma Foundation eLetter. We appreciate your interest in and support of the Foundation.
Have you received your FREE Scleroderma Foundation Drug Discount Card from NeedyMeds? Our members have saved an average of 37% on their prescriptions using the Card. If you do not have the Card, get one here. |
| Mortality Rates for Pediatric Rheumatology Patients Significantly Lower Than Previously Reported |
 A recent study by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic found that the overall mortality rate in the U.S. for all pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases was not worse than the age and sex-adjusted population. Furthermore, mortality rates were significantly lower than reported in previous studies of rheumatic diseases and conditions that are associated with increased mortality. Details of the study appear in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology. Read more. |
| Rituximab Shows Promise in Scleroderma |
Rituximab (Rituxan) improved lung function in patients with scleroderma, a small proof-of-principle study found. At one year, patients randomized to receive rituximab had a median 10.25% increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) compared with baseline, while those who received standard treatment had a deterioration of 5.04% (P=0.002), according to Dimitrios Daoussis, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Patras in Greece. Read more. |
| Calcium Deposits |
 Calcium deposits in the body can often be a cause of pain and discomfort, and can also lead to certain adverse systemic effects. Given below are the causes, possible sites of deposits in the body, and the various treatment options available for dealing with calcium deposits.
Calcium deposits occur when there is formation of a calcium stone, which can get deposited on the surface of a gland or organ, or even intracellularly. These kind of deposits can occur in various parts of the body. Read more. |
| Movement Tracker |
 Let's Move Together is all about getting you moving to prevent or treat arthritis. This site inspires through stories that help you to move everyday. Now it's time to put that information to work. By registering you can set your own movement goals and track them over a week, month or year to see how you measure up. The Movement Tracker will help keep you on track as you try to move daily with Let's Move Together. Learn more. |
| The Caregiver as Employer |
 When hiring a professional in-home caregiver, there are a couple of ways in which they can be selected, either from an agency which specializes in screening and placing professional caregivers, or by doing the research, interviewing, screening, and hiring all on your own. Keep in mind that if you hire a professional caregiver on your own, you will be entirely responsible for paying certain types of taxes that may be new to you, as well as having to know which taxes your new employee should be paying as well. Although you've hired a professional caregiver, who is much more than just a "domestic housekeeper", the IRS will recognize you as the employer of a domestic. Learn more. |
| Employment Status and Socio-Economic Burden in Systemic Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Survey |
 Nguyen C et al. - The objective of this study was to assess employment status and socio-economic burden in SSc patients. SSc patients commonly have to take full-time sick leave from work. Despite such patients receiving disability pensions, the socio-economic burden is considerable.
Methods
- Eighty-seven SSc patients (72 females), fulfilling the ACR or the Leroy and Medsger criteria, or both, were evaluated for employment status, socio-economic burden and handicap
- Statistical analysis involved Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test and backward stepwise regression analysis
|
| Survey for the Scleroderma Foundation Community |
 Hello Friends of Scleroderma:
If you had one phrase that helped you through hard times, what would it be? If there was a phrase that made you laugh in the face of pain and actually helped you bear the pain, what would it be? Is there a wise phrase that you have used to help others?
Elaine Furst is writing a book of aphorisms (a little book of phrases) for individuals living with scleroderma. She has a bunch of ideas, but she needs more and wants to hear from you who live well or work with people who have this disease. Take short survey. |
| National Patient Education Conference |
|
|
|
|
| "Why I Am Attending the Conference" |
 "We attended our first SF National Patient Education Conference in 2009 in St. Louis, and were blown away by all the topics featured there. We learned so much in one weekend and really enjoyed the camaraderie we felt with fellow patients. That's why we believe the upcoming 2010 National Conference in Boston is a must-attend for patients and chapter and support leaders--the knowledge you gain here cannot be found anywhere else!"
~ Ilene Ringle of Macomb, Mich., and daughter Jasmine Mounts of Royal Oak, Mich. | |
|
|
|
|
2010 National
Gold Sponsor |
|
| |
| Donate Now! |
 |
| Rare Disease Day, February 28, 2010 |
| Rare Disease Day is an annual, awareness-raising event co-ordinated by EURORDIS at the international level and National Alliances of Patient Organisations at the national level.
|
|
|
