The RheumNow Week in Review – 24 February 2017 Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com:

1. Study of >43K Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis patients show a 14-34% increase risk for depression; but not for suicide or suicidal ideation. http://buff.ly/2lBwMb2
2. Scleroderma Renal Crisis Criteria include HTN, Acute Kidney Injury, encephalopathy, seizures, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia https://t.co/J957AxYYGX
3. 183 SLE Patients in a Phase II trial showed no benefit with IL-6 inhibition(PF-04236921) for 6 mos. The highest dose was D/C for safety. https://t.co/PdAZ0Petxs
4. #RWCS17 Dr Bergman shows incredibly poor adherence to drug therapy. Suggests you need time and a plan to combat https://t.co/mLUzlsqUet
5. Analysis 26 studies failed to show any predictors of mycohenolate mofetil responses in Lupus. More research needed. https://t.co/HwjhoLTS5
6. Metanalysis shows no Cancer risk with Inflx (OR 1.68), ETN (0.79), ADA (0.93), ABA (1.04), RTX (0.58), TCZ (0.60), Tofa (1.15) https://t.co/TQp4AOAmuL
7. Prior Authorizations is a problem for GI docs too - 63% use >25% FTE to do PA and 73% make > 5 calls (37% >10 calls) per day to payors https://t.co/yYSjjcTGwq
8. CDC reports seasonal Influenza peaked in 2nd week Feb 2017 & will continue for weeks. No antiviral resistance seen thus far. https://t.co/YNMHbdYz1c
9. Dr Mahadevan #RWCS17 shows data that there is a 1/2000 risk of bone fractures with chronic PPI use https://t.co/hYYWmPD6rE
10. Dr Mahadevan #RWCS17 shows that PPI chronic use yields a 1/4000 risk of PPI induced C. ridicule diarrhea https://t.co/zIpl8k8DR0
11. #rwcs2017 Dr Kavanaugh shows RCT where apemilast does well against etanercept in psoriasis. https://t.co/ZQYTdLBLZ9
12. Dr Kevin Winthrop at #RWCS2017 reviews DMARD/Biologic effects on vaccine responses. Most effected by RTX, least by MTX. https://t.co/un74cCDo04
13. ORAL strategy trial shows Xeljanz +MTX = Humira +MTX; but was inferior as monoRx Xeljanz in 1152 RA pts over 12 mos https://t.co/hb6RdEnWj6
14. FDA approves the IL-17 inhibitor “Siliq” (brodalumab; from Valeant) for moderate-severe plaque psoriasis.Comes with a black box warning for suicide. https://t.co/rzSOVP1gd3
15. Baricitinib (trade name “Olumiant” ) approved by EMA for use in EU for moderate-to-severe RA as monotherapy or combo with MTX. https://t.co/7lFqrfL3fF
16. Higher Hip and Knee Replacement Revision Rates in Younger Patients 
17. Sirukumab shows moderate efficacy in Rheumatoid Arthritis
18. Abatacept shows modest efficacy in Giant Cell Arteritis