Targeting GM-CSF Works in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Namilumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) ligand, showed promise as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a phase II study.

RheumNow Podcast – Take it Back Jack! (4.26.19)

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

Naproxen has no Effect on Alzheimer's

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A randomized controlled trial shows that chronic low-dose naproxen does not reduce progression of presymptomatic Alzheimer disease (AD).

More Studies Needed to Optimize the Use of Osteoporosis Drugs

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The Annals of Internal Medicine reports a metanalysis done to examine the optimal length of long-term osteoporosis drug treatment (ODT) and whether harms are associated with long-term ODT and while the ODT benefits are clear, the risk of rare harms and need for drug holidays is less certain.&nbsp

Skyrizi (risankizumab) FDA Approved for Psoriasis

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AbbVie has announced that the US FDA has granted the approval of Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. 

Ustekinumab Effective in Behcet's Disease

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A small prospective study has shown that ustekinumab is safe and effective in Behçet's disease (BD) with recurrent oral ulcers (OU).

NIH Workshop on Unmet Needs in Osteoporosis

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In October 2018, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a workshop to address the "Appropriate Use of Drug Therapies for Osteoporotic Fracture Prevention"

Improved Survival in Lupus

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A longitudinal study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the Toronto Lupus Clinic has shown that mortality has decreased over time.

Statins in RA Patients Without CVD: Nonsignificant Results

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Patients with RA, but without CV disease, who were treated with atorvastatin appeared to experience cardiovascular (CV) benefits similar to what has been observed in other populations, with a risk reduction of approximately one-third, according to a large, but prematurely terminated, trial in the

Sleep Myths Debunked

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A panel of 10 sleep experts studied 20 common sleep myths and found little or no evidence in support of these beliefs.

Sleep issues are highly prevalent among US adults, but few admit to it or do anything to manage it. 

Higher Comorbidities in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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JAMA Dermatology reports that patients with hidradenitis suppurativa have significantly more comorbidities than do patients with psoriasis.

Timing of Shoulder Injections Impacts Surgical Infection Risk

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A study of patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair shows that corticosteroid injections in the month prior to surgery are associated with a significantly increased risk of surgical site infection.

Polypharmacy Blunts Responses and Ups the Safety Risks

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A study from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR-RA) demonstrates that polypharmacy is a predictor of lower treatment responses and more serious adverse events (SAEs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

EULAR 2019 Update to Lupus Management

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The goal of SLE treatment is remission or low disease activity and flare prevention. Hydroxychloroquine is recommended in all patients with lupus, at a dose not exceeding 5 mg/kg real body weight. Glucocorticoids (GC) should be minimised to less than 7.5 mg/day (prednisone equivalent). Appropriate initiation of immunomodulatory agents (methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate) can be tailored to the clinical scenarios and may allow for tapering or discontinuation of GC.

Mortality Risk Factors in Systemic Sclerosis

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A French cohort study of 625 systemic sclerosis (SStc) patients has found a significantly increased mortality risk that can be predicted by common clinical variables.

Intraarticular Trans-Capsaicin Effective in Knee OA

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A novel study has shown that intraarticular therapy with high‐purity synthetic trans‐capsaicin (CNTX‐4975) for chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) was associated with significant relief of knee pain.

Smoking Not Protective Against Knee OA

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Researchers found no protective effect of smoking against knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a new longitudinal cohort study of 620 individuals with meniscal tears treated at five sites in Denmark.

Better Tests Ahead in Lupus

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The advent of "big data" and "-omics" technologies offers hope that clinicians will soon have better diagnostics for systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatologists here were told.

Dr. Harold E. Paulus (1929-2019)

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Dr. Harold “Hal” Paulus lives in the annals of Rheumatology as a major contributor, mentor, researcher and clinical trialist. He passed away last week, one day after his 89th birthday. I met Dr. Paulus as a fellow in 1985, when he easily included me in his discussions and research on rheumatoid arthritis. I admired his easy demeanor, wry humor and every man character. Most remark on his calm recessive and kind personality that was complemented by a body of work that was large, impactful and usually at the cutting edge.

Many of Dr. Paulus’ colleagues and friends have contributed their testimonies and fond memories of this great man.

Update on Vaccines in Autoimmune Patients

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Although both the disease and the treatment for it in rheumatology patients may work at cross-purposes with immunizations, only a very few vaccines are absolutely contraindicated in this population, an infectious disease specialist told rheumatologists here.