New ACR/NPF Guidelines for Management of Psoriatic Arthritis

Save

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) have released a joint treatment guideline for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) that provides evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic recommendations and includes recommendations on other management issues inclu

Filgotinib in Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Save

Another, new Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor is out with impressive data - this time its filgotinib, demonstrating its efficacy and safety two separate clinical trials of patients with psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

RheumNow Podcast – To Needle or Not to Needle (11.30.18)

Save

Dr. Jack Cush updates the news and reports from the past week at RheumNow.com:

CIRT Trial - Methotrexate Fails at Cardiovascular Prevention

Save

Methotrexate has been shown to reduce cardiovascular (CV) deaths in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Given that inflammation underlies the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis, Dr. Paul Ridker and colleagues studied the value of low dose methotrexate (MTX) in preventing cardiovascular events.

RheumNow Weekly Podcast – 3 Wiseguy Rheumatologists (11.9.18)

Save

Dr Jack Cush reviews the News and Journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Be sure to check out our upcoming meeting in March 2019 - RheumNow Live.

Ixekizumab COAST-V Trial Wins in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Save

Lancet has published the results of a study showing that ixekizumab (an IL-17A inhibitor) yielded significant clinical benefit and radiographic protection when given to NSAID treated patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA).

Doubling Down on IL-17 In Psoriatic Arthritis

Save

The monoclonal antibody bimekizumab, which neutralizes both interleukin (IL)-17A and 17F, was effective for both musculoskeletal and skin outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a phase IIb study.

RheumNow ACR Week in Review: ACR Wrap-Up (10.26.18)

Save

This past week in Chicago gave us a plethora of new and eye-opening research, people, KOLs, exhibits, sessions, guidelines, posters and a never-ending supply of coffee served in small paper cups.  ACR 2018 highlights for me included:

Updates on Psoriatic Arthritis at ACR 2018

Save

I think 2018 was the year that belonged to psoriatic arthritis (although some may argue in favor of immune conditions induced by Checkpoint inhibitors). Many years ago the late Professor Verna Wright in Leeds (UK) was a lone voice for many years describing the clinical subtypes of Psoriatic arthritis as something distinctive from rheumatoid arthritis. For a long time we thought that the treatments for PsA were just the same as RA since we were treating the same problem of synovitis.

Axial Spondylitis Abstracts Roundup

Save

There have been a number of interesting posters and presentations covering the field of axial spondyloarthropathy. I’ve picked out a few points that I found particularly relevant.

Classification Criteria

NK cells and a Potential Role in the Development of PsA vs PsC (Cutaneous Psoriasis)

Save

Human NK cells express multiple receptors that interact with HLA class I molecules which, in turn, suppy peptides that bind HLA-E to form CD94/NKG2A NK receptor ligands.

What is the Future of MTX for Psoriatic Arthritis?

Save

Like most rheumatologists, I retain a deep and abiding love for methotrexate.

ACR 2018 - Day 2 Report

Save

Monday was a packed day of sessions and studies. Here are our just a few of our highlights.

Several Studies Addressed Treatment of Axial Spondylitis

Save

Monday afternoon's session on the treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis presented us with a great selection of studies addressing important issues in modern treatment paradigm of AxSpA.

Factors That Contribute to Uveitis in SpA

Save

We know that uveitis is an extra-articular manifestation of SpA but what remains unclear is if there are any factors that may play a role in the development of uveitis. One group sought to understand these issues.

Walking the Tightrope of Treat to Target in Psoriatic Arthritis

Save

In the last few years, new studies have been published examining if early intervention and tight control (TC) of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity will have the same beneficial outcomes as it does for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  

Apremilast Succeeds in Scalp Psoriasis

Save

Celgene has announced results from the phase 3 STYLE study, showing apremilast yielding significant improvement in moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis. STYLE is a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluating the efficacy and safety of apremilast in subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis of the scalp. The study enrolled 303 people who were randomized 2:1 to receive apremilast 30 mg twice daily or placebo for the first 16 weeks.

RheumNow Week in Review – Vitamin D Falls Again (10.4.18)

Save

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

Does Gender Make a Difference in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Save

Males and females can both be affected by axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). A recent study shows that while there are some differences and similarities, HLA-B27 and imaging are still pivotal elements for diagnosis of axSpA in both genders.

Complementary Therapies in Psoriasis

Save

A systematic review in Archives of Dermatology suggests that among complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, the most effective are indigo naturalis, curcumin, dietary modification, meditation, and acupuncture.