Steroids Up the Risk of Organ Damage in SLE

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Lancet Rheumatology has reported the results of a multicenter follow-up study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients showing that organ damange is linked to glucocorticoid use, independent of clinical or serological disease activity.

Treatment of Statin-induced anti-HMGCR myopathy

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Statin-induced myositis, often with anti-HMGCR autoantibodies can be difficult to manage, Arthritis Research & Therapy yhas published the experience of 55 patient with HMGCR myopathy, demonstrating that while steroid management may be reasonable in select patients, the use of tr

Best of 2019 - 2019 EULAR Guidelines on Antiphospholipid Syndrome Management

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A EULAR task force has reviewed the medical literature and developed evidence-based recommendations for the management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in adults. They note that a high-risk antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile is associated with greater risk for thrombotic and obstetric APS.

Best of 2019 - New EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria for SLE

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The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have jointly developed new classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); prompted by the need for criteria that were both highly sensitive and specific. The net result is improved sensitivity and specificity, but the use of positive ANA requirement along with a longer list of weighted criteria ensures its utility in SLE research (including early or latent SLE), but not clinical practice.

Belimumab in Lupus Nephritis

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Belimumab has been studied in an active lupus nephritis, phase 3 trial call BLISS-LN and shown to be effective as measured by  trial of belimumab for the treatment of active lupus nephritis in adult patients.

Is Anifrolumab Good Enough for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

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The NEJM published favorable results of a phase 3 trial of the alpha interferon inhibitor, anifrolumab, showing it to be superior to placebo in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients studied for 48 weeks.

Fewer Lupus Flares on Low Dose Steroids

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French researchers have shown that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inactive disease are less likely to flare while taking a 5 mg prednisone maintenance dose.

RheumNow Podcast - The Elusive Hand OA Problem (12.13.19)

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

CRP in SSc: Identifying a Severe Phenotype

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Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who have persistent inflammation -- characterized by consistently elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) -- have more severe disease and worse outcomes, a retrospective study confirmed.

Steroids Use in Lupus Linked to Damage Accural

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A report from Lancet Rheumatology shows that glucocorticoid use contributes to damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) independent of disease activity.

Rheumatic Immune-Related Adverse Events: Not Just Another IrAE

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Rheumatic immune-related adverse events can start at almost any time after the commencement after immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for cancer, and are liable to persist long after the immunotherapy has ceased, according to data presented at ACR 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine Update

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Shingrix (GSK), the herpes zoster subunit vaccine (a two-shot series), was approved by the FDA in Fall 2018 and is currently approved for use in adults 50 years and older.

RheumNow Podcast –Favorites of ACR 2019 (11.22.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush recaps standout presentations and information from ACR 2019 held in Atlanta November 9-12, 2019.

A Focus on WOCBA (Women of Childbearing Age)

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Largely because it can be difficult to do studies in pregnant women, gaps remain in the area of rheumatic disease in pregnancy. This year’s ACR highlights some important new points to consider.

ACR 2019 - Report From Day 3 (Tuesday)

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Here's my summary of key studies presented Tuesday. 

Tofacitinib in Polyarticular JIA

ACR 2019 – Best of the Plenary Sessions

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The ACR Plenary Sessions featured some of the best research presented on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in Atlanta. Here are my seven notable highlights from the Plenaries.

ACR 2019 - Report from Day One (Sunday)

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Sunday was the first full day of scientific sessions at the 2019 ACR/ARP meeting in Atlanta. Yesterday we shared our initial news articles, videos and more with you. Following is my roundup of day one. 

Delays in Diagnosis

Autoinflammatory Diseases at the ACR Annual Meeting

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It has been a wonderful year for autoinflammatory diseases at the ACR Annual Meeting.

Part 1:  The “P” in Prednisone stands for Poison...and Other Pearls

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Everyone has life hacks.  Years of experience and doing the same things repetitively allow us to figure out little tricks to make life easier. A rat in a maze, finding itself at a dead end, will back up and search for a clearing.