Pregnancy Flares in RA and Spondylitis

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Despite the folklore, not all women with arthritis who become pregnant will improve or go into remission.  Recent studies have suggested that up to one-third of RA patients will flare during pregnancy.

EULAR/EFORT Taskforce on the Management of Fragility Fractures

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The morbidity associated with osteoporosis-related fragility fractures imposes tremendous socioeconomic and medical impact on patients and society.

Consensus on OP Drug Holidays

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Extending bisphosphonate treatment beyond 3–5 years does not confer additional benefit in low-risk populations. Treatment re-initiation (usually 1–3 years after bisphosphonate withdrawal) depends on risk factors, new fractures and bone mineral density. The evidence regarding denosumab discontinuation is limited but caution is advised, as there may be a “rebound effect” with regard to fractures.

FDA Approves Renflexis as Second Infliximab Biosimilar

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On the 21st of April, the FDA approved another infliximab biosimilar, called Renflexis (Infliximab-abda) following on the biologics license application of the South Korean manufacturer Samsung Bioepis Co. LTD.  In early developmental trials this agent was also called SB2.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 21 April 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com:

Paradoxical Toxicities with TNF Inhibitors

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Something is curiously wrong when a drug induces the disease it is intended to treat. Yet this phenomenon has been described with all five FDA-approved TNF inhibitors.

Anti-IL-23 Therapy Effective in Crohn's Disease

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Lancet has reported the results of risankizumab, an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor, in Crohn's disease. Risankizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody targeting the p19 subunit of interleukin-23, and is being developed for Crohn's disease.

The Cost of Not Taking Medicine

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The NY Times points out "there is is an out-of-control epidemic in the United States that costs more and affects more people than any disease Americans currently worry about. It’s called nonadherence to prescribed medications, and it is — potentially, at least — 100 percent preventable by the very individuals it afflicts.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 14 April 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the past week's news, articles and advances from RheumNow.com.

Acute Steroid Use Comes with Risk

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Steroids are known for their acute therpeutic wonders and chronic hazards. Hence most practitioners are comfortable using short term, limited dose corticosteroids for a variety of ailments.

Celecoxib Plus PPI Preferred in High Risk Patients

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When do the risks outweigh the benefits of NSAIDs use, especially in those with prior cardiovascular and gastrointestinal events? The CONCERN study has tested the effects of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) in preventing GI bleeds when using NSAIDs and ASA.

Hydroxychloroquine Underperforms in a Cutaneous Lupus Trial

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Hydroxychloroquine has become a mainstay in the treatement of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proven efficacy in managing many domains of lupus, including skin, joint, and other autoimmune features.

Biologic Safety Holds Up in RA

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An updated systematic literature review has provided reassuring evidence regarding the increasing safety of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), European researchers reported. 

Abatacept Use During Surgery

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The issue of medication management is a complicated one, especially in complex rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking biologic or immunosuppressive drugs.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 31 March 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and Advances in Targeted Therapies meeting in Mandelieu, France:

Tweeting this week from Advances in Targeted Therapies #ATT2017 in Mandelieu, France.

TNF Inhibitor Induced Psoriasis

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Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) rarely have been reported to induce new-onset psoriasis.

Mortality in Gout Increased

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Two current articles in the Journal of Rheumatology address issues surrounding mortality risk among those with new and established gout.

Alcohol Use During Methotrexate Studied

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A recent RheumNow survey of 495 rheumatologists found that half of rheumatologists allow 1-3 alcoholic drinks per week and 6-7% has no alcohol restrictions while being treated with methotrexate (MTX).

Biologics Do Not Increase Melanoma Risk

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of certain cancers (e.g., skin, lung, lymphoma).  At issue is whether the newer agents modify this risk appreciably.

Steroids, DMARDs and Biologics have Same Low Risk of Infection During Pregnancy

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Low rates of serious infections were observed in pregnant women receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Higher rates may be seen with steroid use in pregnancy and SIE trend towards lowest with DMARD or TNFi use.