Methotrexate Use Not Linked to Interstitial Lung Disease in RA

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People with rheumatoid arthritis have a significant risk of developing interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), yet there is often a question as to whether methotrexate (MTX) exposure can cause or worsen ILD.  A controlled cohort study suggests that MTX use is not associated with an increased ris

Racial Disparities in Mortality Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on a registry of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients from two Georgia counties (Fulton and Dekalb) shows SLE mortality was 2-3 times higher compared to the general population, especially amongst blacks; notably deaths occurred sooner after diagnosis

Generic Price Fixing Alleged by State Prosecutors

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The NY Times and 60 Minutes have reported that Connecticut, along with 43 other states, filed a mega-lawsuit accusing the generic drug makers of a massive, systematic conspiracy to bilk consumers out of billions of dollars.

Low Serious Infection Risk with Newer Agents in Psoriasis

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JAMA Dermatology reports on a comparative cohort study of 107,707 psoriasis patients, finding a decreased risk of serious infections among users of apremilast, etanercept, and ustekinumab when compared with methotrexate.

Employed Physicians Outnumber Self-Employed

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For the first time in the United States, employed physicians outnumber self-employed physicians, according to a newly updated study on physician practice arrangements by the American Medical Association (AMA).

RheumNow Podcast – Periodontitis in RA Relatives (5.10.19)

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

Gabapentinoid Drugs Overuse and Misuse

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A recent article in JAMA by Drs. Goodman and Brett reviews the increasing off label use of gabapentinoid drugs, originally developed as antiseizure drugs that are now increasingly prescribed for painful conditions.

Calcineurin Inhibitors in Anti-Synthetase Dermatomyositis ILD

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A pilot treatment study of patients with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibody–positive polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (anti-ARS-PM/DM-ILD) shows therapy with glucocorticoids and calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to be highly effective. 

Biomarkers Predict Thrombosis in Lupus

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A composite risk score that included three biomarkers predicted thrombotic events among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a cross-sectional study found.

Drug Pricing Regulations in US and Canada

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Reuters reports on regulatory efforts by Canada and the US to curb the rising cost of drugs, especially expensive new medicines. 

Pilot Study Targets Insulin Resistence in Fibromyalgia

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An unusual pilot study has shown that insulin resistence (IR), assessed by Hgb-A1c levels, was more prevalent in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to non-diabetic controls and that when FM patients were given metformin, half had complete resolution of their pain.

Denosumab Protects Against RA Erosions

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Combining denosumab (Prolia) with a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) such as methotrexate showed promise for slowing radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a manufacturer-sponsored phase III trial called DESIRABLE found.

CDC: One in Four US Adults have Arthritis

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MMWR reports that in 2017, one in four US adults have arthritis (range from 22.8% to 34.6%), with higher rates in Appalachia and Lower Mississippi Valley regions. Of those with arthritis, 31% reported to have "severe arthritis".

RheumNow Podcast – DESIREABLE Results (5.3.19)

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

Nonadherence is Costly for Patients in Pain

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A comparative cohort study of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), gout, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN), post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and fibromyalgia (FM) shows that nonadherence to pain medications is high and leads to greater overall health care resource utilization and costs. 

Ideal Outcomes are Seldom Achieved in Gout

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Studies from a cohort of gout patients in Mexico shows that long-term goals of a target serum urate (sUA) 6 mg/dL and remission are rare, especially for those with severe gout.

Omega-3 Rich Fish Lowers Gout Flares

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Boston researchers have shown that consumption of fish rich in omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) leads to a lower risk of recurrent gout flares.

High GPA Hospital Readmission Rates

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A national database reveals that patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) have 22.3% risk of hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. 

From a total of 9749 hospital admissions with GPA, there were 2173 readmissions within 30 days of discharge.

New ACR/AF Guidelines on JIA Polyarthritis and Uveitis

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The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) have released two guidelines on management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Shorter Treatment Succeeds in Septic Arthritis

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Two weeks of antibiotic therapy was as effective as 4 weeks for septic arthritis, a prospective single-center study found.