All News
Preview of EULAR 2019 Abstracts
EULAR 2019 begins today in Madrid and features over 2000 presentations. After an initial review of titles and abstracts, I’ve compiled a hit list of presentations of interest to me and hopefully other practicing rheumatologists.
Read ArticleProinflammatory Diets May Increase CRP and RA Onset
Despite the lack of good evidence, there has been great speculation about the role of diet in causing or alleviating inflammation. Now there's new research suggesting that proinflammatory diets can increase serum C-reactive protein levels and also the risk of rheumatoid arthritis onset.
Read Article2019 EULAR Guidelines on Antiphospholipid Syndrome Management
A EULAR task force has reviewed the medical literature and developed evidence-based recommendations for the management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in adults. They note that a high-risk antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile is associated with greater risk for thrombotic and obstetric APS.
Read ArticlePredictors of Serious Infections with Rituximab
The risk of serious infectious events (SIE) with rituximab (RTX) is similar to that seen in other biologics (e.g., RA: 2% or 4.3/100PY), but with prolonged use the risk may change. Recent research says that low IgG levels, RTX induced neutropenia, prior SIE and comorbidities can significantly augment this risk.
A retrospective longitudinal single center study of 700 rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) treated monitored serum immunoglobulins (at baseline and 4–6 months after each cycle), clinical outcomes and SIE over time.
RheumNow Podcast – Medical Selfies (5.24.19)
Dr. Jack Cush Reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com
Read ArticleCoexistent Gout Increases Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis
It his often said that gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cannot coexist and where confusion exists, a good history and testing for serum urate (SUA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) can usually clarify the dominant disorders. A recent study shows that hyperuricemia and gout are uncommon in RA, but when present shows an increased risk of comorbidities and cardiovascular (CV) mortality.
Risk Score Predicts Thrombosis Recurrence in APS
A combination risk score helped predict recurrent thrombosis -- particularly arterial -- among patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an international study found.
Read ArticleBiomarkers Predict Thrombosis in Lupus
A composite risk score that included three biomarkers predicted thrombotic events among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a cross-sectional study found.
Read ArticlePilot Study Targets Insulin Resistence in Fibromyalgia
An unusual pilot study has shown that insulin resistence (IR), assessed by Hgb-A1c levels, was more prevalent in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to non-diabetic controls and that when FM patients were given metformin, half had complete resolution of their pain.
Read ArticleMonocyte Patrolling Contributes to Lupus Glomerulonephritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a propensity to develop glomerulonephritis (47-70%) or end-stage kidney disease despite therapy.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Take it Back Jack! (4.26.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com
Read ArticleStatins in RA Patients Without CVD: Nonsignificant Results
Patients with RA, but without CV disease, who were treated with atorvastatin appeared to experience cardiovascular (CV) benefits similar to what has been observed in other populations, with a risk reduction of approximately one-third, according to a large, but prematurely terminated, trial in the
Read ArticleEULAR 2019 Update to Lupus Management
The goal of SLE treatment is remission or low disease activity and flare prevention. Hydroxychloroquine is recommended in all patients with lupus, at a dose not exceeding 5 mg/kg real body weight. Glucocorticoids (GC) should be minimised to less than 7.5 mg/day (prednisone equivalent). Appropriate initiation of immunomodulatory agents (methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate) can be tailored to the clinical scenarios and may allow for tapering or discontinuation of GC.
Read ArticleBetter Tests Ahead in Lupus
The advent of "big data" and "-omics" technologies offers hope that clinicians will soon have better diagnostics for systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatologists here were told.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Loretta Lynn Arthritis (3.29.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticlePresenting Features of Early SLE
What clinical features best identify early systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients from mimics? A multicenter, multinational study aimed to evaluate manifestations at disease onset and to compare early SLE manifestations to those of diseases mimicking SLE.
Read ArticleDermatology Guidelines for Psoriatic Comorbidities
The JAAD has published joint guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) on the approach, management and dermatolgist roles for select comorbid conditions.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast - MTX vs. Etanercept in Psoriatic Arthritis (2.15.19)
Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news from the past week on RheumNow.com - including the SEAM trial, MRI guided T2T, biologics and infection, contraceptive use, ANA negative lupus, etc.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Downside of Lupus (2.9.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews this past week's news and reports from RheumNow.com:
Read Article