Many have suggested that microbiome and mucosal disruptions are contributors to autoimmunity, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is partly represented in what is known as the "mucosal hypothesis" to RA. A current review article by Hollers, et al. addresses how distinct mucosal endotypes can serve as drivers or initiators of RA.

ASAS (Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society) has convened specialized task force to guide imaging request on patients with suspected/known axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Since 2022, EULAR and the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (PReS) have been working to establish clinical practice guidelines for the diagnostics and management of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). 

A systematic review of long-term muscle relaxant use for chronic pain suggests they may be effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia, cramps, and neck pain, but not fibromyalgia, low back pain, and other pain syndromes.

American College of Rheumatology (ACR) experts identified research suggesting that patient self-management is not a

Now that multiple prevention clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been completed, a group of investigators have reviewed the results and published their recommendations for future trial designs and drug development to assess interventions that may alter disease development.

Glucocorticoids are widely prescribed as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. This results in at least 1% of the population using chronic glucocorticoid therapy being at risk for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. This risk is dependent on the dose, duration and potency of the glucocorticoid, route of administration, and individual susceptibility.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com - including tips on steroids, MAS, and myositis testing.

Using data from the population based All of Us (AoU) Research Program, a self reported history of arthritis and related conditions was associated with an increased risk for arthritis, osteoporosis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

A systematic and scoping literature examined the Treat-to-target (T2T) approach to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), noting its implementation is suboptimal and finding many barriers to implementation.

JAMA reports that following the COVID-19 pandemic US adults trust in physicians and hospitals decreased, and was associated with lower odds of COVID vaccination.

There are numerous impediments to diagnosis or referral; and a new study evaluates patient use of a mobile artificial intelligence (AI)–based symptom checker for diagnoses, but demonstrated only modest accuracy when applied to a cohort of patients with joint symptoms.