ACR Outlines Best Practices for Kids With MIS-C

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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 infection has both similarities and differences with Kawasaki disease, and requires distinct clinical management, according to draft guidance from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

TNFi Cycling vs. Swapping Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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For years, rheumatologists would rather fight to stay on a TNF inhibitor (TNFi) than switch to a non-TNFi biologic when rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy fails.

Mortality in Lupus Declines between 2006 and 2016

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The largest study, to date, shows that in‐hospital mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has significantly improved between 2006 and 2016, with a high mortality burden among U.S. Blacks and Hispanics with lupus.

Adverse Events With Rheum Biologics Rise With Age

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Among patients with rheumatic diseases, age and female sex were important factors associated with the development of a first adverse event after initiating biologic treatment, Spanish researchers reported.

Hydroxychloroquine Fails as Postexposure Prophylaxis for Covid-19

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Add this to the list of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) letdowns in managing COVID-19 treatment or risk - prophylaxis with HCQ fails to prevent COVID-19 infection in those exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

NEJM has reported a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from the US and Canada wherein adults with household or occupational exposure to someone with confirmed Covid-19 were treated with either placebo or HCQ within 4 days of exposure.

Upside Down with Tocilizumab in COVID-19

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Several recent reports offer conflicting views on the potential benefits and adverse outcomes of IL-6 inhibition with tocilizumab (TCZ) therapy in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.

An Italian study grabbed the headlines yesterday with a press release stating TCZ did not improve respiratory symptoms, ICU admissions or mortality rates when given to 126 COVID patients with early disease. The study, supported by the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa), stopped enrollment (about 1/3 of projections) after an interim analysis found insufficient evidence that TCZ would be effective.  This report has not been published or undergone critical review.

RheumNow Podcast – Enough Already with Weaning (6.19.20)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Cosentyx FDA Approval for Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

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Yesterday the FDA approved secukinumab (Cosentyx) for the treatment of patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). There are now three agents that are FDA approved for nr-axSpA: certolizumab, ixekizumab and now, secukinumab. 

Voclosporin Beats Standard of Care in Lupus Nephritis

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The high potency calcineurin inhibitor voclosporin plus standard of care was superior to standard of care alone in a phase III study of lupus nephritis known as AURORA.

Atherosclerotic Events on the Decline in SLE

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The prevalence of atherosclerotic vascular events among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) today is considerably lower than in the past, analysis of multicenter data found.

Among patients enrolled in an inception cohort from 1999 to 2017, only 3.6% of patients had an atherosclerotic vascular event, at a rate of 4.6 per 1,000 patient-years, according to Murray B. Urowitz, MD, of the University of Toronto in Canada, and colleagues.

Methotrexate May Enhance Pegloticase Response in Gout

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For patients with gout exacerbations while on pegloticase (Krystexxa), adding methotrexate may help reduce uric acid levels, researchers suggested at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) virtual meeting.

In a small open-label study of 14 patients experiencing acute gout attacks, use of the pegloticase/methotrexate combination reduced uric acid levels to near undetectable levels in 11 patients, reported John Botson, MD, medical director of Orthopedic Physicians Alaska in Anchorage. He noted that this was far below the 5 mg/dL level recognized as the threshold for development of inflammation that causes gout attacks.

Virtual EULAR 2020 Round Up

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In this week's podcast, Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush present highlights from the virtual EULAR2020 meeting held June 3-6, 2020. Featured reports include the SELECT-CHOICE study, the EXCEED trial, Avacopan in AAV, BeST mortality outcomes, BLISS-LN study, biosimilars and tofa in systemic sclerosis.

Day 4 - Top 3 from EULAR 2020

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These were my top abstracts from Thursday, 4th of June at EULAR 2020:

Day 3 - Top 5 from EULAR 2020

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These were my top abstracts from Thursday, 4th of June at EULAR 2020:

Day 2 – Top 5 from EULAR 2020

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These were my top abstracts from Thursday, 4th of June at EULAR 2020.

Hydroxychloroquine Postexposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 Fails

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NEJM has reported that the use of hydroxychloroquine did not prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection when used within 4 days after SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Currently for persons who are COVID exposed, the standard of care is quarantine and there is no known preventative therapy.

TNR Grand Rounds - Update on Biosimilars

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This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Jonathan Kay (U Mass) who gave an update on Biosimilars and took questions the subject. The program was moderated by Dr. Jack Cush.

FDA Approves Taltz for Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

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Today Eli Lilly announced that Taltz (ixekizumab) has received FDA approval for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).