JAMA has published a meta-analysis of 15 studies of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab and corticosteroids, showing that a clinically meaningful mortality benefit from tocilizumab (and steroids) was best seen in those not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

The ACR has updated its clinical guidelines for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), with this update focusing on oligoarthritis, TMJ arthritis, and systemic JIA (with and without macrophage activation syndrome); only the latter, systemic JIA recommendations are reported he

Drug survival may be the best measure of efficacy and safety. A new study of novel therapy durability (survival) in patients with RA, axial spondyloarthritis, PsA, and psoriasis shows that while all these drugs are approved for said conditions, drug survival varies by condition, suggesting an ongoing need for individualized treatment.

The ACR journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology, has publish a listing of top articles in 2021 as measured by Altmetric, an online service that tracks what gets "clicked" and discussed.  Interestingly, this includes 4 guidelines and 5 COVID-related papers.

Concerns about the long-term safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) often results in dose reduction or drug discontinuation; yet a current study shows that, for those in remission, HCQ taper/discontinuation resulted in a significantly higher rate of SLE flares.

The American College of Rheumatology and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons released a summary of their updated guideline for the Perioperative Management of Antirheumatic Medication in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Undergoing Elective Total Hip or Total Knee Arthroplasty.

A recent prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial has shown that a 2 week hold of methotrexate (MTX) following COVID-19 (Sinovac-CoronaVac) vaccination resulted in greater anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity; but there was an increase in flare rates after the second dose of vaccine.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week, rheumatologic problems incited by respiratory infections, air pollution and how you live, now where you live.

Guselkumab, an IL-2319-subunit antibody, was studied in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients who had a previously inadequate response (IR) to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and after 1 year was shown to significantly improved joint and skin manifestations and physical function.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is launching two new initiatives to reduce racial disparities in lupus clinical trials: Training to Increase Minority Enrollment in Lupus Clinical Trials with CommunitY Engagement (TIMELY) and new Continuing Medical Educatio

Data from the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Coronavirus Vaccine registry shows that patients with with inflammatory or noninflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease have similar adverse event rates as the general public.