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MSK Ultrasound Now Standard for Rheumatology Training
In the United States, musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in rheumatology has grown significantly in the last few decades. Ten years ago, more than half of rheumatology fellows had training or exposure to MSUS. A current survey of training programs shows that 94% provide MSUS training.
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FDA Arthritis Advisory Panel Endorses Tofacitinib Approval for Psoriatic Arthritis
On Thursday, August 3, the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee (AAC) met to consider tofacitinib for use in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The panel voted 10-1 in favor of approval.
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The RheumNow Week in Review – 4 August 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews new FDA decisions on sirukumab and tofacitinib as well as other news items from the past week on RheumNow.com.
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Arthritis Advisory Panel Votes Down Sirukumab
On Wednesday, August 2, the FDA convened the Arthritis Advisory Committee (AAC) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Janssen’s anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody, sirukumab.
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Pediatric Consensus on Comorbidity Assessments
Comorbidity is a serious consequence or confounder in patients with inflammatory diseases. This has been well described in both psoriatic and rheumatoid disease.
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No Increase in Malformations with Etanercept Use During Pregnancy
While there are several reports detailing uncontrolled, observational results of biologic use during pregnancy, most are hampered by low numbers, incomplete data and too small a sample to make reliable judgements regarding the teratogenicity. A company sponsored claims data analysis has shown that etanercept exposure during pregnancy was not associated with an increase in major congenital malformations (MCMs).
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Romosuzumab Outperforms Teriparatide in Post-Bisphosphonate Osteoporosis
The STRUCTURE trial results have been reported in Lancet and have shown that after 12 months of therapy, romosozumab (ROMO) had superior gains in bone mineral density (BMD) compared to teriparatide (TER) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who have previously taken bisphosphonate therapy.
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One-Third of Americans Took Opioids in 2015
In the wake of the well-publicized "opioid epidemic", researchers report in the Annals of Internal Medicine (online July 31) that more than one third of U.S.
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August 2nd AAC Meeting: FDA Concerns Over Sirukumab Deaths
On August 2, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will convene a hearing of the Arthritis Advisory Committee (AAC) to review the safety of the novel IL-6 inhibitor, sirukumab, being developed by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).
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Tubulointerstitial Damage in Lupus Predicts ESRD Progression
The presence of tubulointerstitial damage (TID) may provide a potential window for early intervention in lupus nephritis (LN) to ward off end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to a data analysis.
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Baricitinib Derailed by FDA Review
Eli Lilly and Co disclosed today that upon further discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there would be a delay in further regulatory decisions regarding baricitinib, a JAK inhibitor, that is being developed for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Read ArticleThe RheumNow Week in Review – 21 July 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news from the past week on RheumNow.com:
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Adverse Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Lupus - and Pre-Lupus Too
A population-based claim study from Sweden has shown that lupus and pre-lupus patients are at risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
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Acute Coronary Syndrome Increased in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
It does not come as a surprise to anyone anymore that Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is one of the major causes of morbidity and preterm mortality in RA. What we don’t know is what measures need to be taken to modify the risk and how effective such measures are.
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Long-Term Additive Cardiovascular Benefit of Plaquenil and Aspirin in Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The cardioprotective benefits of aspirin (ASA) are well known and the ancillary CV and diabetogenic effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have also been shown.
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Statins Improve Survival in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Systemic inflammation (from underling inflammatory polyarthritis) clearly accelerates atherosclerosis with a resultant increase risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Withdrawal of TNF Inibitors Fails in Most RA Patients
The 12 month POET study analyzed 817 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who achieved remission or low disease activity (LDAS) for ≥6 months and then randomized 2:1 to stopping or continuing their TNF inhibitor.
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Alendronate Use in Steroid Treated Patients Lowers the Risk of Hip Fracture
Among older patients using medium to high doses of the anti-inflammatory steroid prednisolone, treatment with the osteoporosis drug alendronate was associated with a significantly lower risk of hip fracture, according to a study published by JAMA.
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Managing Secondary Non-Response to Rituximab in Lupus
Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been effectively used in the treatment of multiple autoimmune disorders for over two decades. But the response to rituximab has been shown to not be as effective in SLE as it is in RA.
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Orencia Approved for Use in Psoriatic Arthritis
The FDA has approved both IV and SC ORENCIA (abatacept) for the treatment of adults with active Psoriatic Arthritis.
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