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NIH Discovers Otulipenia - New Infantile Autoinflammatory Disorder
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health, led by Dr. Dan Kastner, have led the way in the discovery and understanding of numerous autoinflammatory diseases.
Read ArticleAnother Biosimilar Approval - Etanercep-szzs by Novartis
Yesterday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new biosimilar, Erelzi, (etanercept-szzs), for the same multipile indications as the originator Enbrel, including rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Erelzi, will be generically labelled as etanercept-szzs.
Read ArticleHMGB1 as a Biomarker for Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis
High mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) is a DNA-binding protein that functions as a structural co-factor. HMGB1 is actively secreted by macrophage/monocytes via inflammatory stimuli and is elaborated during apoptosis.
Read ArticleFDA Approves Updated Denosumab Warnings
In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the warnings of all marked bisphosphonates to include the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and atypical femoral fractures (AFF).
Read ArticleZurampic Helps Allopurinol Non-Responders
Lesinurad (Zurampic) was approved earlier this year as adjunctive therapy to other urate-lowering therapies. It is a selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor (URAT-1 inhibitor) designed to treat gout, and be used in combination with other xanthine oxidase inhibitors.
Read ArticleNailfold Capillaroscopy Excludes Scleroderma in Raynaud’s
Nailfold capillaroscopy test had impressive 90% negative predictive value for Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)
Read ArticleRheumNow Week in Review – 26 August 2016
Dr. Jack Cush reviews news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticlePrior Cancer Patients May Safely Receive TNF Inhibitors or Rituximab
Current guidelines regarding the use of biologics in patients who have previously had a malignancy are based more on opinion than evidence.
Read ArticleAdalimumab Controls Non-Infectious Uveitis in VISUAL II Study
It has long been observed that patients receiving monoclonal antibody based anti-TNF (TNFi) therapies for spondylitis or psoriatic disease have less inflammatory eye complications, such as uveitis. These agents have become common interventions based on these observational results.
Read ArticleDrug Use Compounds Risk - Before and After Fragility Fractures
Is the occurrence of a fragility fracture a missed opportunity to reduce exposure to prescription drugs associated with fracture risk?
Risk of Sepsis or Death Lower with Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers from Germany have analyzed their large prospective rheumatoid arthritis (RA) registry to address whether being on biologic therapies leads to poorer outcomes - namely sepsis or death, following a serious infection (SIE).
Read ArticleKnuckle Cracking Good News
Researchers from the radiology department at University of California, Davis Health System have studied the phenomenon of knuckle cracking by simultaneously recording audio and ultrasound imaging from 17 women and 23 men.
Read ArticleRheumNow Week in Review – 19 August 2016
Dr. Cush reviews the RheumNow.com highlights in rheumatology for the week ending 19 August 2016.
Read ArticleARCTIC Study Shows No Benefit to Ultrasound Remission in RA
The goal in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is remission. But what level or method of remission is best?
Read ArticleRemicade Patent Infringements Denied: Opens Door for New Biosimilars
A U.S. court has affirmed its decision that the patent for Johnson & Johnson's drug Remicade is invalid. This new ruling favors the intent of Celltrion and Pfizer, who are seeking to bring their biosimilar versions of infliximab to market in the near future.
Read ArticleDASH Diet: A Role in Gout?
People with hyperuricemia who followed the blood-pressure-lowering DASH diet showed significant decreases in serum urate levels, post-hoc analysis of data from an influential randomized study found.
In the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study, participants adhering to the diet, which emphasizes the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy foods as well as whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts, had a mean decrease in serum urate levels of -0.35 mg/dL (95% CI -0.65 to -0.05), according to Stephen P. Juraschek, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues.
Fewer Psoriasis Patients Satisfied with Current Treatments
A new national survey in the United States of nearly 600 individuals with psoriasis, reveals that although patients have numerous treatment options, they have difficulty finding treatment plans that work. In addition, respondents reported a heavy emotional toll, with many feeling isolated and stigmatized due to the condition.
Read ArticleSmoking Worsens Rheumatoid Inflammation
Tobacco and chronic smoking is a major risk factor for the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and chronic smoking has been linked to severity of disease and lower DMARD response rates.
Read ArticleAutoimmune Disease as Harbinger of Myelodysplasia
Myelodysplastic syndrome may infrequently present with inflammatory or autoimmune symptoms. This literature review shows a variety of presentations and treatment options for such patients.
Read ArticleRheumatologists May be Unaware of New Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Monitoring Guidelines
Rheumatologists are well-acquainted with the rules for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy screening: A) annual visits to the ophthalmologist and B) maintain HCQ doses at less than 6.5 mg/kg to avoid retinopathy.
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