Anthem in Virginia and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anthem in Virginia, through USA-Online-Health-Insurance.com, will probably cover most of the medications and treatments approved by the FDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory disease in which the body attacks its own joints and organs. One of the problems is that arginine, a protein building block in the joints, is converted into citruline. The physical properties of these two proteins are very different from each other, and damage occurs in the affected areas. The most common therapy, covered by Anthem in Virginia, is glucocorticoid therapy. This reduces the rate of citrulination and of the enzyme that causes it.

Right now, the other treatment besides glucocorticoids is methotrexate. Researchers in the U.S., the Netherlands, and in Sweden have been working together to study the levels of the citrulinated protein in patientsý joints. They are comparing the protein levels in people before and after both of these treatments.

In the studies, researchers discovered that, not surprisingly, the levels of citrulinated proteins, or CP, were elevated in people diagnosed with RA. However, they have also discovered additional enzymes called peptidylargininedeinimase 4, or PAD4 that are apparently related to the rate of inflammation.

In the studies, treatment with methotrexate had no effect on either of the levels of CP or PAD4. But, after only one injection of glucocorticoid, not only was the CP reduced, but the PAD4 was reduced as well, accompanied by a visible decrease in inflammation.

According to information made available to Anthem in Virginia, via Medical News Today, the leader of these studies, Dr. Anca Catrina of the Karolinska Institute and University hospital says that these studies have shown that different medications react with different aspects of RA. The protein citrulination is a significant problem with RA, and to find a medication that will target this particular process is a big step forward in dealing with this sometimes debilitating illness.

Apparantly, the glucocorticoids benefit only the cells within the inflamed joints. A synthetic version of the drug was tested on synovial fluid with good results, with researchers noting a decrease in CP, PAD2, and PAD4. However, tests done with the synthetic drug on blood samples from patients with RA showed no response. Synovial fluid is the viscous fluid that lubricates joints.

Inflammation is the natural reaction of your body to invasion of outside toxins. It is your bodyýs defense system. With healthy inflammation, the immune system releases chemicals that try to kill harmful substances like bacteria. For some reason, RA causes the immune system to ýreadý your own joints as a harmful presence. As the immune system cells invade your joints, inflammation begins. Once this cycle begins, it wonýt turn off by itself.

Enbrek, Remicade, Rituximab, Plaquenil, Arava, and many other medications are on the market for the treatment of RA. Your Anthem in Virginia coverage may pay for any number of these medications. Check with your agent for a policy that will include your current RA medication on its formulary.