FDA Approves Stelara for Crohn's Colitis

Save

The anti-IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor, Stelara (ustekinumab) has been FDA approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  In the last week, the EMA's CHMP has recommended that the drug also be approved for use in Crohn's disease.

RheumNow Week in Review – 23 September 2016

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights, news and articles from the past week at RheumNow.com:

Restricting High Price Drugs - A Dangerous Trend?

Save

Who makes billions in profits and millions in bonus monies? PBMs and insurers, thats who.

This week United Healthcare and Express Scripts announced new plans to restrict patient and prescriber access to popular, expensive, albeit FDA-approved, medications and biologics.

Who benefits, who loses?

Recognizing Arboviral Infections in Rheumatic Disease Patients.

Save

What does sex have to do with it? Although the Zika virus infection is known to be sexually transmitted, the same cannot be claimed for Dengue or Chikungunya.

The Immunodeficiency and Autoimmunity Relationship

Save

The world of PID (Primary immunodeficiency diseases) has changed remarkably over the past 5 years.

Wearable Activity Trackers Don't Improve Weight Loss

Save

JAMA has reported the results of a 24-month trial showing that obese individuals on a long-term healthy diet and exercise program do not have significantly more weight loss from using a wearable device that tracks their activity. 

After the 1st TNF Inhibitor, a Non-TNF Biologic is Next Best

Save

Most US rheumatologists use multiple TNF inhibitors before switching. A new French study suggests that "other-MOA", non-TNF biologics are more effective after failing a TNF inhibitor.

Demyelinating Disease is a Rare Complication of TNF Inhibition.

Save

A recent review has shown that tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) rarely cause MS-like disorders.

Anabolic Abaloparatide Looks Promising in Osteoporosis Fracture Prevention

Save

The osteoporsis therapeutics arena is starting to fill with new drugs and novel mechanisms of action.

CDC Reports 31 Million Older Americans Don't Get Adequate Exercise

Save

The Sept.16th issue of MMWR reports that many Americans over age 50 are not getting sufficient exercise, thereby increasing their risk for falls, fractures and comorbidities, if not premature death. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2cPAcq9)

New Shingles Vaccine Effective for up to Four Years

Save

In the current issue of the NEJM, a Herpes zoster subunit vaccine was reported to be highly effective in adults - specifically in 2 studies (ZOE50 and ZOE70) targeting adults over age 50 and over age 70 years. (Citation source: http://buff.ly/2cMng17)

DSB Reports and Updates - September 2016

Save

Updates and journal articles on opioids, drug induced sarcoidosis, cancer and cancer recurrence risks with TNF inhibitors and biologics, and FDA labeling changes.

Fibromyalgia - Should Internists Manage a Contested Illness?

Save

The current issue of ACP Internist discusses the considerable dissent among the medical community about fibromyalgia (FM), its cause, diagnosis and care. This review addresses many concerns with input from well-known experts in rheumatology.

Adalimumab Lowers Risk of Uveitis Flares in Visual I Study

Save

Rheumatologists may encounter patients with intermediate, posterior and pan-uveitis as part of certain rheumatic diseases such as Behcet’s, but more frequently may be called on to co-manage these patients with steroid sparing agents.

Aspergillus Arthritis - A Rare Opportunistic Infection

Save

The International Osteoarticular Mycoses Consortitum has publist their review Aspergillus arthritis caused by invasive aspergillosis.

Their review identified 31 evaluable cases, 87% of whom were males and adults.

CPAP Use Fails to Prevent CV Events in Sleep Apnea Patients

Save

There are numerous health hazards associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Lupus Patients at Higher Risk for Heart Failure

Save

Although cardiovascular disease and complications have been well-described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the association between SLE and heart failure (HF) remains undefined.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 9 September 2016

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com, including IBD/TNFi and cancer risk, fracture nonunion, PMR worse in women, not treating asymptomatic hyperuricemia, and shingles followed by stroke.

Shingles Plus Autoimmune Disease Hikes Stroke Risk

Save

Patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases who develop herpes zoster are at increased risk of stroke for the subsequent 3 months, with risks diminishing thereafter, analysis of Medicare data showed.