Prevention of HBV Infection: How Are We Doing?

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In 2016 the WHO set out to eliminate HBV infection as a public health threat by 2030. So far, we are far from this goal as vaccine implementation has been suboptimal in a number of important patient populations, including patients with rheumatologic diseases, as well as other immunocompromising diseases like HIV.

Salt Drives Gut-Brain Connection via IL-17

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A study from Nature Neuroscience shows that a high salt diet may mediate neurovascular disease by altering microbiome and the expansion of TH17 cells in the small intestine, thereby increasing plasma interleukin-17 (IL-17) and its subsequent effects on endothelium in the brain.

The RheumNow Week in Review - 12 January 2018

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews a dozen highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.

40% of Arthritis Patients Fail to Receive Exercise Guidance

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The latest issue of CDC’s MMWR reports that exercise counseling among arthritis patients increased from 52% to 61% (2002 to 2014); hence ~40% do not receive health care provider counseling, suggesting the need for provider education and training in exercise counseling, and improved electroni

2018 Predictions for Rheumatology

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MedPage Today Editors surveyed a few rheumatologists for their major news predictions in 2018. Read on for predictions regarding drug pricing, biosimilars, autoimmunity and checkpoint inhibitors, and thrombotic events and JAK inhibition.

The RheumNow Week in Review - 5 January 2018

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

Bone Marrow Edema May be Found in Normals, Athletes and Military Recruits

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Rheumatology has published a study demonstrating that bone marrow edema as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be found in healthy people, but that such changes do not change with intense physical activity.

MEASURE 3 Study - Anti-IL17 Benefits Persist in Spine Disease

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Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have shown rapid and sustained responses to secukinumab (Cosentyx) in a third phase III trial that includes a higher dose of this anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, researchers reported.

Therapeutic Update: 5 Questions on FDA Hearing for Tofacitinib in PsA (Best of 2017)

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In this Therapeutic Update, Drs. Mease, Gibofsky and Cush answer five questions regarding the August 3rd FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee meeting that reviewed the potential approval of tofacitinib (Xeljanz) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The panel was nearly unanimous (10-1) in favor of the efficacy and safety profile of of tofacitinib, and similarly voted 10-1 to approve this drug for use in PsA. Final decisions on these recommendations from the AAC panel will be made at a later date by the FDA. 

The RheumNow Week in Review - 22 December 2017

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

Cardiac Disturbances Increased in Spondyloarthritis

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A prospective Swedish study between 2001–2009 found a higher risk of aortic regurgitation, pacemaker, AV block and atrial fibrillation in SpA, AS, uSpA and PsA patients.

Frequency of Rheumatoid Knee Replacements Down in the Biologic Era

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A time-series analysis of incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients seen between 1996 and 2011 in the Danish National Patient Register shows that the incidence of hip (THR) and knee replacements (TKR) began to decrease after the introdution of biologic agents for RA in 2002.

The RheumNow Week in Review - 15 December 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news from the past week on RheumNow.com. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud.com. 

FDA Approves Xeljanz for Use in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Pfizer Inc.

2017 Update of Treat to Target Recommendations for SpA/PsA

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A 2017 international committee of experts met to assess and revise its earlier 2012 recommendations regarding treating to target in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA). 

The RheumNow Week in Review - 8 December 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush covers the news and journal articles published on RheumNow.comin the past week.

Infliximab Does Not Increase Perioperative Infection

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Staying on a TNF inhibitor (TNFi) throughout major surgery has generatlly been associated with higher rates of perioperative infection (https://buff.ly/2iBFVjp).  On the other hand, discontinuation of the TNFi prior to surgery is associated with lower ra

Rheumatology Year in Review

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During 2017, the improvements and refinements seen during previous years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have been extending to other conditions ranging from psoriatic arthritis to lupus and for both monoclonal antibodies and oral small molecule medications.

Do JAK Inhibitors Increase the Risk of Venous Thromboembolic Events?

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Drug Safety has published a systematic review of the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and finds numerous reports of thromboembolic adverse events (AEs) associated with two currently marketed Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and ruxolitinib (Jakafi).

Ixekizumab (Taltz) FDA Approved for Psoriatic Arthritis

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On Friday, December 1st, the FDA approved Lilly's drug Taltz (ixekizumab) for use in adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. 

Taltz, an IL-17 inhibitor, has previously been approved for plaque psoriasis where it has shown high level PASI75 and PASI100 responses.