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Researchers have never been sure of the cause of arthritis pain, since cartilage that is affected has no nerve endings, but a new study points to one possible cause. Researchers led by Dr. David T. Felson of Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts studied 401 people with knee osteoarthritis, some who had knee pain, and some who did not, to see if they could find a common thread among those with pain.

Bone marrow lesions were found in 78% of those with painful knees compared with 30% of persons with no knee pain. Large lesions were present almost exclusively in persons with knee pain, and after adjustment for severity of radiographic disease, effusion, age, and sex, lesions and large lesions remained associated with the occurrence of knee pain. They concluded that bone marrow lesions on MRI are strongly associated with the presence of pain in knee osteoarthritis.

The study was funded by Bayer Corporation, the Arthritis Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, and is published in the April 3 issue of Annuls of Internal Medicine.

British scientists have announced what they say is the first evidence of a cure for rheumatoid arthritis. A research team at University College in London led by Professor Jonathan Edwards says it has discovered what causes the body's defenses mistakenly to attack healthy joints and tissue. Its cure focuses on the role of B-cells, white blood cells that defend the body against viruses and bacteria by making antibodies that attack the hostile microbes. B-cells can accidentally make antibodies that attack healthy tissue. In the case of arthritis, the result is a self-sustaining attack on joints and tissue.

Researchers followed 20 patients who have had rheumatoid arthritis for an average of 20 years and who all failed to respond to any standard therapy, and put them through 18 months of treatment. Of the 20, five now have only some residual pain from the damage already done. Researchers said they have returned to leading a more or less normal life, with one going to the gym and one taking up gardening for the first time in ages.

Prof Edwards and his colleagues believe that they have found a way to break the circle, using drugs that seek out and destroy B-cells. He said: "Unlike with other cells in the immune system, most people can live without any B-cells for a while. By the time we reach adulthood we have already made most of the antibodies we need." After a single treatment to wipe out all the B-cells, the body responds by making fresh ones. The chances of these new B-cells making the same mistake as their predecessors, however, thereby triggering a return of rheumatoid arthritis, is small.

Edwards said the B-cell based therapy might also offer hope to patients with other auto-immune diseases, such as Crohn's disease, lupus and even multiple sclerosis.

The team will announce the results of its research Monday at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Philadelphia. The findings will be also published in the leading journal Rheumatology.

Myths about arthritis keep people from seeking a doctor's help against the number one cause of disability in the United States, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis disables more Americans than heart disease and stroke, and the CDC says it's what Americans don't know about the disease that can hurt them. They have published a list of myths and facts about arthritis, including tested treatments, unproven remedies, and prevention measures.

Scientists working for the Human Genome Project at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda Maryland announced they have deciphered the genetic code for chromosome 21, which includes genes involved in cancer, hardening of the arteries, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases associated with aging. This is the second of the 23 human chromosomes to be fully mapped and sequenced. This research is expected to help researchers studying Alzheimers and other diseases affected by the chromosome, and may shorten the time it will take to develop treatments for the diseases. 62 scientists in the USA, Japan, Germany, France, Switzerland, and England have been involved in this research.

A recent Gallup survey found that 90% of Americans age 18 and older experienced pain at least once a month, and 55% of people age 65 and over experienced daily pain. 15% of those who experienced pain said their pain was "severe", and over half felt they did not have any effective method of controlling their pain. 64% of pain sufferers will see a doctor only when they cannot stand the pain any longer, and only 42% of those who visit their doctor for pain believe that their doctor completely understands how their pain makes them feel.

As a result of this survey, the Arthritis Foundation, along with the American Society on Aging, Business and Professional Women/USA, General Federation of Women?s Clubs, MANA, A National Latina Organization and the National Council of Negro Women has launched "Speaking of Pain", an educational program to empower people to help gain control of their pain by better communicating with health care professionals about it.