Desai and colleagues have published that when a learning collaborative group focused on a treat‐to‐target approach was compared to usual care, a modest but significant impact on implementation, treatment changes and patient outcomes in RA patients managed with a treat‐to‐target approach was seen.

The February 19th MMWR reports that higher mortality rates in certain patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); data based on recent San Francisco County statistics showing a four fold higher mortality among Asian and Hispanic/Latina females with SLE.

The interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist anakinra (Kineret) was not superior to triamcinolone for relieving gout flares, but had similar effects for pain reduction as the glucocorticoid, a randomized phase II study found.

Katz, Arant and Loeser have published a comprehensive open-read overview of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee in JAMA; underscoring the impact, advances, disappointments and guidelines put forth. 

Arthritis & Rheumatology has published the results of a subanalysis from tocilizumab (TCZ) clinical trials showing that Il-6 inhibition was associated with preservation of lung function patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc).

A recent metanalysis of studies suggest you may be able to use certain clinical factors to stratify cancer risk in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).

The NEJM has reported the results of a study showing that avacopan, a C5a receptor inhibitor, is as effective as steroids at treating patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV).

Metanalysis of patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), show this to be a rare and life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), that is more apt to affect older, severe lupus patients with active infection.

Annals of Internal Medicine reports treating advanced melanoma with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease (AID) was as effective and safe in those with AID compared to those without AID, although severe colitis occurred more frequently among pati

Four major medical societies issued a joint statement of principles on safe use of hydroxychloroquine from the perspective of ocular toxicity.

Botson et al has reported that the combination of methotrexate (MTX) and IV pegloticase is safe and effective in patients with uncontrolled gout.

This exploratory, open-label clinical trial screened 17 patients and treated 14 patients (all men, 49.3 ± 8.7 years) with IV pegloticase with MTX (15 mg/week) and folic acid (1 mg/day) 4 weeks prior to and throughout pegloticase treatment.

Day 3 report from the 2021 RWCS meeting in Maui (and virtually) includes pearls from the PsA 2020 Year in Review; fact vs. fiction on evidence based medicine: diet and rheumatic diseases; hot topics in allergy/immunology; and pediatric rheumatology highlights.

NEJM has reported the results of a trial showing semaglutide once weekly plus lifestyle intervention was associated with sustained, weight loss in overweight or obese adults; such that nearly one-third lost over 20% of their body weight.

The American College of Rheumatology has published a draft guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccination in rheumatic disease and musculoskeletal disease patients, based on the efforts of the North American Task force. The document provides guidance to rheumatology providers on the use of the COVID-19 vaccine and the associated management of RMD patients around the time of vaccination. Here is a summary of the recommendations.