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Is Methotrexate Necessary with Tofacitinib?
Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking tofacitinib (Xeljanz) plus methotrexate who achieved low disease activity (LDA) may be able to withdraw from the latter agent without significant worsening of disease activity, a researcher reported at EULAR 2019 in Madrid.
Read ArticleEULAR 2019- Day 4 Report
Saturday June 15th was the last half-day at EULAR 2019 but was highlighted by the “late-breaking” (LB) presentations that were presented from the podium and by poster.
Below are the top “LB” presentations from EULAR this year:
Read ArticleUnderstanding Non-arthritic Rheumatic iRAEs
A better understanding of rheumatic immune-related adverse event phenotypes beyond inflammatory arthritis has been furthered by work from three abstracts presented at EULAR 2019 in Madrid.
Read ArticleUltrasound Reveals Which Anti-CCP Positive Patients Progress to Arthritis
Power Doppler signal on baseline ultrasound exam may well help stratify anti-CCP positive patients with musculoskeletal symptoms but no clinical synovitis, according to data from the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine presented at EULAR 2019.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – EULAR 2019 Streamin' - (6.14.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reports from Madrid on several novel presentations from EULAR 2019.
1. Genovese Vagal nerve stimulator in RA
Read ArticleEULAR 2019 Report – Day 2
It was a full and lively 2nd day in Madrid with sessions dedicated to Lupus, RA, Sjogren’s, imaging, rare diseases, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Here are a few of the highlights from day 2 EULAR in Madrid
Read ArticleIndustry Press Releases from EULAR19
Many of the great presentations from EULAR 2019 feature industry sponsored clinical trials. Often these become the pivotal studies for regulatory approval and the annual congresses are their first look.
Read ArticlePreview of EULAR 2019 Abstracts
EULAR 2019 begins today in Madrid and features over 2000 presentations. After an initial review of titles and abstracts, I’ve compiled a hit list of presentations of interest to me and hopefully other practicing rheumatologists.
Read ArticleManagement of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Adults
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome induced by activated macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. HLH manifests recurrent fever, cytopenia, liver dysfunction, and a sepsis-like syndrome that may complicated by multiple organ failure.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Drug Ad Transparency (6.7.19)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles of note from this past week on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleMore Trouble for Mallinckrodt’s Acthar Gel
Reuters has reported that Mallinckrodt Plc has tentatively agreed to pay $15.4 million to resolve a US Justice Department investigation into company promotional practices for Acthar gel.
Read ArticleProinflammatory Diets May Increase CRP and RA Onset
Despite the lack of good evidence, there has been great speculation about the role of diet in causing or alleviating inflammation. Now there's new research suggesting that proinflammatory diets can increase serum C-reactive protein levels and also the risk of rheumatoid arthritis onset.
Read ArticleMight IL-17 Inhibition Be Effective in RA?
Interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitors are highly effective and FDA approved for use in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. However, many of the initial trials were done in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) where it was projected to be effective, but was not. A recent metanalysis examines how effective IL-17 inhibition was in two RA populations: biologic-naïve or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor inadequate responders (TNF-IR).
Read ArticleKnee Injuries Increases Osteoarthritis Risk
A systematic review of the medical literature shows anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus or combined ACL and meniscus injury significantly increases the risk of future knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – Rituximab Monitoring (5.31.19)
Dr. Jack Cush presents the news and best of rheumatology and medicine from the past week on RheumNow.com
Read ArticleUpadacitinib Monotherapy in MTX-IR Rheumatoid Arthritis
Upadacitinib (UPA) is an oral, selective JAK1-selective inhibitor being developed for use in rheumatoid arthritis patients; Lancet has reported the SELECT-MONOTHERAPY trial showing that UPA is safe and effective in RA patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).
Read ArticlePredictors of Serious Infections with Rituximab
The risk of serious infectious events (SIE) with rituximab (RTX) is similar to that seen in other biologics (e.g., RA: 2% or 4.3/100PY), but with prolonged use the risk may change. Recent research says that low IgG levels, RTX induced neutropenia, prior SIE and comorbidities can significantly augment this risk.
A retrospective longitudinal single center study of 700 rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) treated monitored serum immunoglobulins (at baseline and 4–6 months after each cycle), clinical outcomes and SIE over time.