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Adalimumab Addition vs. Methotrexate Escalation in Psoriatic Arthritis
An interesting study in Lancet Rheumatology shows that psoriatic arthritis patients not responding to methotrexate alone can respond after adding or escalating adalimumab (ADA) on top of methotrexate (MTX) to reach minimal disease activity (MDA) response.
Read ArticleConsequences of TNF inhibition (3.18.2022)
This week we're going to talk about the downside of TNF inhibitors, a few interesting observations in gout, and yes, kids do get COVID. We're also going to preview what's coming in April (hint: it's about PsA). This and more as Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleIberdomide in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The NEJM reports that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients treated with iberdomide, a cereblon modulator, was effective at yielding a significant SRI-4 clinical response after 24 weeks.
Read ArticleSeropositivity Linked to Bronchiectasis in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis associated bronchiectasis (RA-BR) is uncommon, and is unrelated to interstitial lung disease (ILD), but like ILD, can substantially impact RA outcomes.
Read ArticleDisappointment Behind Acute Gout Hospitalizations
Analysis of emergency department visits from two UK hospitals shows a high rate of hospitalization, and low use of urate-lowering therapies (ULT) and treat-to-target (T2T) management.
Read ArticleEnvironmental Pollutants Ups Autoimmune Disease Risk
An Italian environmental study shows that air pollution increases the risk of autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
Read ArticleIndividualized Therapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Whether patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) would improve substantially with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapy was predicted with moderate to high accuracy based only on a standard lab test and two measures of disease activity, researchers reported from a modeling study.
Read ArticleEfficacy and Safety of Mavrilimumab in Giant Cell Arteritis
A phase II trial in patients with active giant cell arteritis shows that mavrilimumab, a monoclonal antibody against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) is capable of inducing clinical remission.
Read ArticlePredicting Spondylitis in At-Risk Relatives
The risk of developing axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) if you’re a first-degree relative (FDRs) of an ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patient has been deflined by a 35 year follow-up study showing that if you are a FDR of axSpA you may be at higher risk of acute anterior uveitis (AAU).
Read ArticleRheumNow Live is Coming to Town (3.11.2022)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticlePsoriatic Arthritis Responds to Tyk2 inhibition with Deucravacitinib
Deucravacitinib, a selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, was studied in a phase II trial of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and shown to be effective and safe.
Read ArticleCould Anifrolumab Work in Lupus Nephritis?
Anifrolumab is effective and FDA approved for use in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); and now, a trial in lupus nephritis that almost shows benefit.
Read ArticleKawasaki Disease Guideline from ACR and Vasculitis Foundation
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Vasculitis Foundation (VF), released a new guideline for the management of Kawasaki disease that addresses diagnostic issues relating to Kawasaki disease, the treatment of high-risk patients, and the management of
Read ArticleCombo MTX and Leflunomide in Psoriatic Arthritis
A recent study has shown that the combination of methotrexate (MTX) plus leflunomide (LEF) yields better disease control in psoriatic arthritis, but may not be as well tolerated as monotherapy with MTX.
Read ArticleBaricitinib’s COVID-19 Efficacy in the RECOVERY Trial
Pre-print results of the RECOVERY Trial has shown that when baricitinib (BAR) is given to hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients, it results in significantly less mortality.
Read ArticleEthnic and Behavioral Drivers of Gout Risk
Gout is common but disproportionately affects certain groups (e.g., the elderly, Pacific Islander, Blacks). Ethnic links to gouts were also shown to be linked to modifiable behavioral factors and such information maybe useful in managing gout patients.
Read ArticleTocilizumab Works Best in Non-Mechanical Ventilated COVID-19 Patients
JAMA has published a meta-analysis of 15 studies of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab and corticosteroids, showing that a clinically meaningful mortality benefit from tocilizumab (and steroids) was best seen in those not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).
Read ArticleACR Guidelines for the Treatment of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The ACR has updated its clinical guidelines for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), with this update focusing on oligoarthritis, TMJ arthritis, and systemic JIA (with and without macrophage activation syndrome); only the latter, systemic JIA recommendations are reported he
Read ArticleDrug Survival Differences in RA, PsA, SpA and PsO
Drug survival may be the best measure of efficacy and safety. A new study of novel therapy durability (survival) in patients with RA, axial spondyloarthritis, PsA, and psoriasis shows that while all these drugs are approved for said conditions, drug survival varies by condition, suggesting an ongoing need for individualized treatment.
Read Article2021 Top Articles from Arthritis & Rheumatology
The ACR journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology, has publish a listing of top articles in 2021 as measured by Altmetric, an online service that tracks what gets "clicked" and discussed. Interestingly, this includes 4 guidelines and 5 COVID-related papers.
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