LJ Collection Development- Rx for Aching Joints: Arthritis Collections

Commonly considered an old person's disease, arthritis actually affects a broad population-the young, the elderly, and everyone in between. Literally meaning inflammation (itis) of the joints (arthro), it is the umbrella term for more than 100 different types of a rheumatic disorder. While the causes vary by form, all are basically characterized by chronic and painful swelling of the joints. The bones, nerves, and even the skin can also be affected.

Current statistics cite 40 million Americans, or one in seven, as having been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the most common types are osteoarthritis (affecting 15.8 million people) and rheumatoid arthritis (2.1 million). Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disorder that attacks the cartilage between the bones, is typically associated with advanced age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints and the tissue surrounding the joints. Other arthritis-type diseases include lupus, fibromyalgia, bursitis, and psoriatic arthritis. Although the extent of the disease, whatever form it takes, can span from mild to severe, arthritis is the number one cause of disability in this country.

As the baby boomer generation ages, the number of arthritis cases will likewise continue to climb. By the year 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) projects the existing figure to increase to a staggering 59.4 million people. Therefore, it is important for libraries to develop their collections of arthritis books, magazines, and nonprint materials to meet current and future patron needs.

Typically, patients, caregivers, and family members seek information in two basic areas. First, patients will question whether the disease can be cured and will want details about current treatment information (how to stop the crippling pain) and the latest research. They will also look for guidance and advice on diet and nutrition, exercise, and daily coping strategies to improve the quality of their life (what is the best tool for opening jars with painful fingers?).

The criteria for selecting arthritis books aimed at consumers is the same for any medical title: the works should present well-written, accurate, authoritative, and up-to-date information that details prognosis, cause, treatment, and future research and include statistics and support resources. Presently, symptom management (rather than cure) remains the standard treatment for arthritis, and this is accomplished via prescribed medications, diet, and exercise. Be wary of publications that claim to have discovered 'the' cure (especially appealing-and misleading-to desperate patients living in constant pain), and avoid those items that promise quick fixes, or that appear to sell a specific product. Although complementary, or alternative, therapies are popular, be sure they are balanced and factual.

In terms of selecting and discarding materials, collection development guidelines have to reflect the changing landscape of arthritis developments. Librarians need to be aware of the rapid advances in the therapies for the various types of arthritis. For example, much of the current research revolves around the new 'biologic agents,' or 'targeted' drugs, that work on a molecular level and that will offer patients better outcomes with fewer side effects. Some of these biologic therapies include Celebrexr, a COX II inhibitor that gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in treating the pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in 1998. The FDA also granted final approval in that same year to EMBRELr, a TNF (tumor necrosis factor) inhibitor for relief of the swelling and pain of rheumatoid arthritis, which is now being fast-tracked for FDA approval for use in psoriatic arthritis. As more of these medications become available, consumers will clamor for the most current information available.

Although the newer therapies do not necessarily render older treatments such as steroids ineffective and outdated, a good rule of thumb for weeding arthritis books is to know that medication information needs to be updated every two to three years. Books on surgeries and rehabilitation should have the same shelf life, while titles on exercise and diet can remain in the collection longer, for about five years.

In the print world, there is a dearth of quality titles that specifically address the rarer types of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis. The Internet can supplement and fill in this elusive information for patients with links to such related web sites as the National Psoriasis Foundation (www.psoriasis.org). Here, consumers can quickly link to cutting-edge research updates and support information. For the more common forms of the disease, the net also provides a wealth of consumer data from a number of reliable sites, often available in graphic formats (like video files) and foreign languages (like Spanish and French).

Other nonprint materials can be helpful when discussing therapies that require actual demonstration. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a moving picture guarantees that those words are clearly spoken. Exercise videos, geared to the arthritic patient, are a useful way to work through a therapeutic regime. Likewise, audio products are a great way to learn and practice the relaxation techniques that aid in wellness.

A bibliography exclusively devoted to arthritis is currently unavailable, although the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section (CAPHIS) of the Medical Library Association features a core bibliography of 50 consumer health books (with two arthritis titles) on its web site (caphis.mlanet.org/resources/ARchin.html ). Along with reading reviews in LJ and other notable collection development publications, librarians might also consider medical book distributors, such as J.A. Majors Co. (1401 Lakeway Dr., Lewisville, TX 75057; 800-633-1851), which also provide popular health and medical titles. The Majors catalog is frequently updated to include the latest titles and is available online (www.majors.com). Collections that cater to populations with a considerable need for arthritis resources should think about including one or two standard medical texts. The 'Brandon/Hill Selected List of Print Books and Journals for the Small Medical Library,' which is published biannually in the April edition of the Journal of the Medical Library Association, is the first-choice guide. Finally, the Arthritis Foundation publishes many authoritative materials that can be ordered online via its web site (see below).

Due to space limitations, the following resource list focuses primarily on general arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis titles suitable for consumer health and public library collections. Starred [*] items are core purchases.

MEDICAL REFERENCE

Koopman, William J. Arthritis and Allied Conditions: A Textbook of Rheumatology. 14th ed. 2 vols. Lippincott. 2001. 2683p. ISBN 0-7817-2240-3. $299.

ARTHRITIS

Allen, Ronald J. & others. Arthritis of the Hip & Knee: The Active Person's Guide to Taking Charge. Peachtree. 1998. 256p. illus. ISBN 1-56145-149-5. pap. $14.95.

Brewer, Earl J., M.D. & Kathy Cochran Angel. The Arthritis Sourcebook. Lowell House. 3d ed. 2000. 272p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7373-0381-6. pap. $16.95.

Fox, Barry & Nadine Taylor. Arthritis for Dummiesr. Hungry Minds. 2000. 384p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7645-5258-9. pap. $19.99.

Horstman, Judith. The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Alternative Therapies. Arthritis Fdn. 1999. 285p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-912423-23-4. $24.95.

Lahita, Robert G., M.D. The Arthritis Solution: The Newest Treatments to Help You Live Pain-Free. WholeCare: Avon. 1999. 243p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-380-80778-5. pap. $5.99.

Lawrence, Ronald M., M.D. & Martin Zucker. Preventing Arthritis: A Holistic Approach to Life Without Pain. Putnam. 2001. 286p. illus. index. ISBN 0-399-14742-X. $22.95.

*Lorig, Kate, R.N. & James F. Fries, M.D. The Arthritis Helpbook: A Tested Self-Management Program for Coping with Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. 5th ed. Perseus. 2000. 367p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7382-0224-X. pap. $19.

Mayo Clinic on Arthritis. Mayo Fdn. 1999. 188p. ed. by Gene G. Hunder. illus. index. ISBN 1-893005-00-3. pap. $14.95.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

*The Columbia Presbyterian Osteoarthritis Handbook: The Complete Guide to the Most Common Form of Arthritis. Hungry Minds. 1997. 304p. ed. by Ronald P. Grelsamer, M.D. & Suzanne Loebl. illus. index. 1997. 278p. ISBN 0-02-861904-8. pap. $14.95.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Koehn, Cheryl & others. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan To Win. Oxford Univ. Jan. 2002. 288p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-19-513056-1. $27.50.

Lahita, Robert G., M.D. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Everything You Need To Know. Avery. 2001. 90p. index. ISBN 1-58333-101-8. pap. $11.95.

*Lee, Thomas F. Conquering Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Latest Breakthroughs and Treatments. Prometheus. 2001. 250p. illus. index. ISBN 1-57392-886-0. pap. $20.

*Paget, Stephen A., M.D. & others. The Hospital for Special Surgery Rheumatoid Arthritis Handbook: Everything You Need To Know To Live a Full Life. Wiley. 2001. 288p. illus. index. ISBN 0-471-41045-4. pap. $16.95.

CHILDREN

Tucker, Lori B., M.D. & others. Your Child with Arthritis: A Family Guide for Caregiving. Johns Hopkins. 2000. 256p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8018-6534-4. pap. $15.95.

DIET

*The Arthritis Center & the Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Essential Arthritis Cookbook: Kitchen Basics for People with Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain and Fatigue. Appletree. 1995. 288p. illus. index. ISBN 0-9620471-6-3. $24.95; pap. 1999. ISBN 1-891011-01-4. $16.

EXERCISE

Christensen, Alice. Arthritis: An American Yoga Association Wellness Guide; The Powerful Program for Greater Strength, Flexibility, and Freedom. Kensington. 2001. 228p. illus. index. ISBN 1-57566-648-0. pap. $12.

*Sayce, Valerie & Ian Fraser. Exercise Beats Arthritis: An Easy-To-Follow Program of Exercises. 3d ed. Bull Pub. 1998. 133p. illus. index. ISBN 0-923521-45-3. pap. $12.95.

Arthritis Today. bi-m. $17.95. Arthritis Fdn. Customer Svc. Ctr., PO Box 4284, Pittsfield, MA 01202-4284; 800-933-0032; www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday. ISSN 0890-1120.

AUDIOCASSETTES

Naparstek, Belleruth. Health Journeys: A Guided MeditationTo Help You with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus. 1 cassette. 50 min. 4 Health Journeys., dist. by ImagePaths. 1994. ISBN 1-57042-01-1. $12.98.

T'ai Chi for Arthritis. color. 80 min. 1998. Videocollection.com (www.videocollection.com); 800-538-5856. $24.98.

WEB SITES

Arthritis Foundation
www.arthritis.org

The Arthritis Society: Canada
www.arthritis.ca

The Arthritis Source
www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis

*Ask NOAH About: Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease
www.noah-health.org/english/illness/arthritis/arthritis.html

*Pregúntale a NOAH la artritis y las enfermedades reumáticas
www.noah-health.org/spanish/illness/arthritis/sparthritis.html

MedlinePlus: Arthritis
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/arthritis.html

For commentary on the titles above, please see the printed issue of LJ for January 15, 2002.