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FDA Panel Backs New Zoster Subunit Vaccine
GlaxoSmithKline has announced that the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously in support of the efficacy, safety and approval of its herpes zoster subunit (HZ/su) vaccine (called Shingrix) for the prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults ages 50 and over.
Read ArticleSirukumab Turned Down by FDA
On Friday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that will not approve Johnson & Johnson’s rheumatoid arthritis drug sirukumab, stating further data and study would be needed to establish its safety.
Read ArticleIsolated SS-B Not Associated with Connective Tissue Disease
A one-year prospective study of 624 patients undergoing autoantibody testing for anti-SS-A and/or anti-SS-B autoantibodies finds that isolated anti-SS-B autoantibodies was not associated with features or the diagnosis of any specific connective tissue diseases (CTD).
Read Article22 September 2017 The RheumNow Week in Review
The RheumNow Week in Review discusses the past week's news, journal articles and highlights from RheumNow.com. This week's report discusses survey results on membranous nephritis and patient perceptions of steroids, nonadherence, celebrity arthritis and IgG4 treatment.
Read ArticleOsteoporotic Fractures as Back Pain in Older Men
The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reports that older men with undiagnosed vertebral fractures are likely to report new or worsening back pain. (Citation source bit.ly/2y9rMiZ)
Read ArticleRituximab Efficacy in IgG4 Related Disease
PLOS reports greater than 90% efficacy when rituximab (RTX) is used to treat patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).
Read ArticleRomosuzumab Followed by Alendronate is Best in Fracture Prevention
The NEJM reports that in high risk post-menopausal women, romosozumab for 12 months followed by alendronate resulted in a significantly lower fracture than alendronate alone.
Read ArticleHalf of Takayasu's Arteritis Relapse
A French retrospective study of 318 Takayasu's arteritis (TA) patients shows that 50% of patients will relapse and experience a vascular complication ≤10 years from diagnosis.
Read ArticleCDC: 40% of U.S Adults Claim to Have Arthritis
The CDC has reported its 2013 and 2014 prevalence statistics for arthritis and other chronic medical conditions affecting U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Data is drawn from the ongoing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based, telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults. Data herein is self-reported arthritis (OA, RA, Gout, FM) and is quantified by state and metropolitan areas.
Read ArticleMortality with Interstitial Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Annals of Rheumatic Disease has published a Danish population based study demonstrating the high mortality rates seen with interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Read Article15 September 2017 The RheumNow Week in Review
The RheumNow Week in Review discusses the past week's news, journal articles and highlights from RheumNow.com. This week's report discusses metabolic syndrome in lupus, bisphosphonate holidays, vasculitis and vascular inflammation, vaccination, and the repeated wonders of Vitamin D.
Read ArticleSarcoid and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Increased by Silica Exposure
A Swedish study has shown that occupational silica exposure increases the incidence rates of sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in those exposed workers in Swedish iron foundries.
Read ArticleNew Zoster Vaccine Recommended by FDA Panel
Reuters reports that the FDA advisory panel has voted 11-0 in favor of the safety and efficacy and ultimate approval of GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix shingles vaccine for use in adults aged 50 and over.
Read ArticleWhy Rheumatologists Should Do Better Vaccinating this Flu Season
It is well known that influenza infection is more common in patients with rheumatologic diseases. Blumentals et al.
Read ArticleJak Inhibition May Ameliorate Pruritus
Interleukin-4 has been shown to activate sensory neurons involved in pruritus, and that inhibition of IL-4 with Jak inhibition significantly alleviates itching.
Read ArticlePast Infection, Lung Disease Raise Risk for Myopathy
Infections and noninfectious pulmonary disease were associated with an increased risk for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), a Swedish study found.
Read ArticleBiologic Use in Adult-Onset Still's Disease
Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is the adult continum of systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). Treatment of this febrile polyarticular systemic disorder can be complex, but has been relieved by several specific biologic therapies.
Read Article8 September 2017: The RheumNow Week in Review
The RheumNow Week in Review discusses the past week's news, journal articles and highlights from RheumNow.com. This week's report includes trends in MTX use and outcomes, fibromyalgia as an inflammatory disorder, drugs that stop psoriasis pruritus, drugs that don't cause TB, cardiovascular risk, and what Rheums think of ACR/EULAR criteria.
Read ArticleHugo E. Jasin, MD (1933-2017)
Hugo E. Jasin, M.D., a long-time faculty member at The University of Texas Southwestern Medeical Center and the University of Arkansas College of Medicine, passed away on August 24th, at the age of 84 years.
Read ArticleNew Recommendations on Biosimilar Use
The introduction of a growing number of biosimilars into the market poses a substantial change in cost of care for patients with inflammatory rheumatologic disorders.
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