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Protective Effects of Colchicine in Non-Hospitalized COVID-19

Jack Cush, MD

A press release from Montreal Heart Institute announced that the COLCORONA clinical trial provided evidence of the protective effect of colchicine; demonstrating a 21% reduced risk of death or hospitalizations in patients with COVID-19 compared to placebo. COLCORONA trial was a contact-less, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 4,488 non-hospitalized patients from Canada, the U.S., Europe, South America and South Africa.

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Voclosporin FDA Approved for Lupus Nephritis

Jack Cush, MD

On January 22nd, the FDA approved voclosporin (Lupkynis) for use in adults with active lupus nephritis; voclosporin is a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for use in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy. FDA approval was based on data from the pivotal AURORA Phase 3 study and the AURA-LV Phase 2 study, which demonstrated the ability of voclosporin to significantly improve LN outcomes after 52 weeks of followup in SLE nephritis patients receiving background standard of care therapies like MMF, and low dose steroids. 

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Systematic review (39 studies 152K patients) of comorbidities in Psoriatic arthritis; most common were HTN 34%, metabolic syndr 29%, obesity 27%, hyperlipidaemia 24% &CV Dz 19%. Comorbid pts: more severe dz, worse QOL & more drug discontinuation https://t.co/VxyYlPltDc
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Study of 147 Takayasu arteritis pts in UK (compared to 1,371 controls) shows all‐cause and CV mortality increased TAK (adj HR 1.88). While TAK had increased ischemic heart Dz, CVA, TIA, PVD, CVD; there was NO increase in HTN, CKD, CHF or diabetes. https://t.co/lanantCSXW
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After you receive the 2nd dose of the COVID vaccine, note that it takes 2 weeks after the second dose to achieve high antibody levels against COVID-19, underscoring the importance of continuing masking, physical distancing and hand hygiene https://t.co/ZsWIM9O3Iu
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2 very large UK population studies (millions of pts) show there is no evidence that NSAID use yields harm in those infected with COVID related deaths. There is either no risk (HR 0.96; 0.80, 1.14) or a reduced risk (HR 0.78; 0.64, 0.94) in these studies. https://t.co/gazA83Ogis
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Osteitis in Systemic Sclerosis is UNCOMMON. French study of 48 pts shows 54% w/ osteitis beneath digital tip ulcers. Pain (75%), erythema (73%), warmth (73%) & 65% had high CRP. X‐ray, CT‐scans or MR. Antibiotics were 1st line therapy. https://t.co/o58gwq2SCC
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Aurinia yesterday announced the FDA that the has approved voclosporin (Lupkynis) for Lupus Nephritis. Voclosporin is an oral calcineurin inhibitor to be used in combination with a background immunosuppressives to treat adultswith active lupus nephritis https://t.co/90ba2Iq0eU
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MMWR reports 10 cases of anaphylaxis after 4 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (2.5 cases per million doses administered). 9/10 occurred within 15 minutes of vaccination. No anaphylaxis-related deaths were reported. https://t.co/lyAVapQH6f
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