All News
DSB Reports & Updates – July 2015
FDA Scours the Internet for Safety Signals. A Bloomberg News report shows how the FDA is using Google or Yahoo keyword searches to identify new safety signals or drug interactions, often more than a year before they were brought to light by the FDA based on prior methodologies de
Read ArticleTribute to Dr. Norman Talal
The Journal of Clinical Investigation has written a tribute noting the sad passing of Dr. Norman Talal on April 24, 2015.
Dr. Talal was an eminent researcher and clinician known for his research and education on Sjogren’s syndrome.
Read Article
The Use of Non-TNF Biologic Treatments in Uveitis Reviewed
A systematic review of treatments used in autoimmune chronic uveitis after failure of DMARDs and at least one TNF inhibitor identified few patients (12 children and 34 adults), and few trials examining rituximab (3), abatacept (3), tocilizumab (3), and 1 each with alemtuzumab and anakin
Read Article
Xeljanz Warnings on Shingles Updated by FDA
The MedWatch June 2015 safety labeling changes were published yesterday, and updated the warnings for Xeljanz (tofacitinib). "The risk of herpes zoster is increased in patients treated with Xeljanz and appears to be higher in patients treated with Xeljanz in Japan."
Read Article
IRB Conflicts of Interest Persist
Committees at academic institutions that make decisions on research and clinical trials may be conflicted, as nearly one-third of IRB members have some ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Read Article
21st Century Cures Act Passes in the House
On Friday, July 10th, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly to streamline the approval process of prescription drugs and medical devices by the FDA.
Read ArticlePost-Translationally Modified Proteins as Potential New Early Arthritis Activity Markers
Defects in protein citrullination and its consequences in patients with RA have been studied widely in the recent decade. It appears that autoantibodies, including those against citrullinated proteins, are of diagnostic and prognostic relevance.
Read Article
The High Cost and Burden of Sepsis
One million people are hospitalized each year with sepsis. This is more than the number of hospitalizations for heart attack and stroke combined. Sepsis can be a particular risk for older people.
Read ArticleFactors Affecting Opiate Abuse Identified
Researchers have determined that adults aged 50 and above were more likely to acquire pain relievers through more than one doctor, whereas younger individuals were more likely to acquire them from friends, relatives or drug dealers.
Read Article
FDA Strengthens MI and CVA Risks Associated with NSAIDs
FDA announced yesterday they would strengthen warnings stating that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. This applies to both prescription and OTC NSAIDs.
Read Article
The Differential Diagnosis of Heel Pain
A slim, yoga bending, middle aged school teacher seeks a rheumatology consultation to determine the cause and cure for her left lateral heel pain for the past 6 months. No trauma, no crazy footwear and no systemic symptoms, uveitis, or peripheral/axial arthritis.
Read ArticleHealth Canada Issues Acetaminophen Advisory
Yesterday Health Canada announced it “is taking additional steps to minimize the risk of liver damage and improve acetaminophen safety,” citing the findings of a government review that underscored the possibility of accidental overdose.
Read ArticleDoes ACPA Increase the Risk of Interstitial Lung Disease?
The anti-citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP or ACPA) antibody assay has a specificity of greater than 90% for rheumatoid arthritis and is associated with worse articular outcomes.
Read Article
Guselkumab Tops Adalimumab in Psoriasis Trial
NEJM reports a 52 week, phase II trial in 293 adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis (>10 BSA) who were randomized to receive either placebo, adalimumab or guselkumab - a novel IL-23 inhibitor.
Read Article
Safety of Colchicine in End Stage Renal Disease
Colchicine toxicity has been linked to renal function and it has generally been advised to adjust colchicine dosing in patients with renal insufficiency.
Read Article
Brodalumab Backlash
On May 26, RheumNow.com reported that Amgen and Astra-Zenica suspended drug development for the IL-17 inhibitor brodalumab.
Read Article
Neurologic Events with TNF Inhibitor Therapy
Demyelinating disorders are an uncommon complication of TNF inhibition and have been described with all TNF inhibitors but also with other biologics.
Read Article
Get Ready for ICD-10
With three months until the switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 coding, CMS and the AMA have announced efforts to continue to help physicians get ready ahead of the October 1 deadline.
Read Article
Rheumatology Leads the List in Drug Company Engagements
Based on recently released data, ProPublica.org has compiled a list of pharmaceutical payments made to 606,000 US physicians in the last year. Their analysis turned up big differences between the different specialties.
Read Article
What's Your Diagnosis? Hand Arthritis in 57 year old Man
A 57 year old male is referred for arthritis of the hands for the last 8 years. He complains of pain, swelling, stiffness in the fingers only. He denies rash, bowel, urologic or ocular complaints. Over-the-counter NSAIDs have provided only partial relief.
Read Article