EULAR Recommendations on Reproductive Issues in Lupus and Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome

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There is a significant unmet need with regard to counseling and managing SLE and APS patients who become pregnant or who may be planning for pregnancy.

Can Marijuana Reduce Opioid Dependance?

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The Washington Post has reported on the variable laws, views and use of marijuana in treating pain.

Currently 1.4 million patients in 28 states use legal medical marijuana for a variety of medical conditions - chronic pain being one.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 24 February 2017

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

Sirukumab Effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Sirukumab is a human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the interleukin-6 (IL-6) and is being developed for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory diseases.

Quarter of Patients Claim Diet Influences Their Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Patients often characterize certain foods as  “inflammatory” or “anti-inflammatory” as they combat their arthritis.

Drugs Contribute to Infectious Risks in Lupus

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Multiple patient- and disease-related factors -- including medication use -- were associated with the development of severe infections among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, a Spanish study found.

Abatacept Efficacy Giant Cell Arteritis

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This appears to be the year for biologic treatments in giant cell artertis (GCA).

Biosimilar Reports – February 2017

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Biosimilar reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists. Many of these items were compiled from news sources, journal articles and regulatory documents and are cited and linked within each section.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 17 February 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's news and information from the 2017 RWCS meeting in Maui.

Baricitinib Approved in the EU for Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The European Commission has approved Eli Lilly's rheumatoid arthritis drug Olumiant (baricitinib) for use in Europe for RA patients with moderate-to-severe active disease in adults who have not responded one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

ACP Recommends a Drug-Free Approach to Back Pain

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The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that physicians avoid prescribing drugs, especially narcotics, for patients with acute or subacute low back pain.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 10 February 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news and reports from this week on RheumNow:

Intra-articular Corticosteroids or Methotrexate for Oligoarticular JIA?

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Oligoarticular-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis accounts for nearly half of all JIA patients. While many of these children will require DMARD therapy, many others are treated with antiinflammatory meds or intra-articular corticosteroids. But the evidence for this latter approach is scant.

NSAIDs Ineffective in Back Pain

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The George Institute for Global Health has performed a systematic review of drugs used to treat back pain. Their findings, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, shows that only one in six improve their pain with NSAID therapy.

No Increase in Infections with Pre-Op Infliximab Before Hip or Knee Replacement

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Up to 30% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will eventually undergo joint reconstructive surgery, yet we have limited data to guide the perioperative management of DMARDs and biologics.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 3 February 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's highlights from RheumNow.

Kevzara (Sarilumab) Approved in Canada for RA

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Kevzara (sarilumab), an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody, was approved by Health Canada for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Limited Efficacy of NSAIDs in Spondyloarthritis

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Prior to the biologic era, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the mainstay of drug therapy in thos with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).  Their role in the modern era has changed and the claims for efficacy have varied. 

Is the Jury Still Out on Triple Therapy vs. MTX + TNF inhibitor?

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There are several trials that test the efficacy and safety of combination tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) plus methotrexate against triple therapy (methotrexate plus hydroxychloroquine plus sulfasalazine) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Increased Cardiovascular Risk with Gout

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Most patients who present with gout to rheumatology clinics are at very high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, Spanish researchers found.