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Increasing Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions in Seniors
Qato and colleagues have published in JAMA a cohort study that examined the use of both prescription and over-the-counter medications among older adults and the frequency of major drug-drug interactions. The study shows the elderly are especially at risk, and the situation is
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First Head-to-Head TNF Trial Ends in a Draw
Comparative efficacy trials may be the best way to make informed treatment choices in a sea of treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent years have seen impressive head-to-head (H2H) clinical trials for RA, including AMPLE (abatacept vs.
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FDA Approves Taltz for Psoriasis
Tuesday the FDA approved the IL-17 inhibitor, Taltz (ixekizumab) for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1py10wd)
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The Week in Review 18 March 2016
See the highlights from the past week that appeared on RheumNow.com, and watch Dr. Jack Cush as he reviews each of them.
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Bisphosphonate Use Falls Following FDA Warnings
In the current issue of JBMR, Kim and colleagues from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston assessed US claims data and studied the impact of three FDA drug safety warnings regarding the use of bisphosphonates.
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Acetaminophen: No Effect in Osteoarthritis Pain or Function
A network analysis of multiple therapies used in osteoarthritis found that acetaminophen (paracetamol) does not meet the minimum standard of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.
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January/February 2016 Top Social Media News
In February 2016, RheumNow published 82 tweets about impactful news, research and teaching points that impact the rheumatology community. These feeds had a reach (impressions) of 80,800 with, 76 mentions, and over 2700 visits to learn on RheumNow.com.
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Sclerostin Inhibition May Worsen Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sclerostin, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation and has anti-anabolic effects on bone formation. Thus, inhibition of sclerostin is currently being studied as therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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TNF Inhibitors Increase Perioperative Infection Risk
The use of tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFis) at the time of major surgery has been a challenge for surgeons, rheumatologists and those wishing to develop evidence-based guidelines for this clinical scenario.
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IL-6 Inhibition Makes News
Several new interleukin-6 inhibitors made headlines this week. While none of the new IL-6 inhibitors are soon to be approved and available, these studies may redefine the role of other non-TNF biologics in the future.
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Most medical school faculty don't have time to observe third- and fourth-year medical students doing a complete medical exam? In When Medical Students Push Back, Westby Fisher, MD, FACC, offers his take on unnecessary testing and this particular issue.
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Minimal Disease Activity Falls Short in Psoriatic Arthritis
A small cohort study has evaluated the utility of the minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria that has been advocated for use in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) studies and clinical trials.
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New CDC Guidelines on Prescribing Opiates for Pain
The use of opioids has become increasingly problematic in the last few years. First, the rising rates of use and abuse, followed by greater restrictions and regulations that have curtailed use, and, finally, a resultant increase in illicit drug use (heroin) and opioid overdoses.
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Leflunomide and Weight Loss in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Weight change can have substantial effects on the outcomes of patients with arthritis. It has long been known that weight loss and low body mass index (BMI) are associated with poorer arthritis outcomes.
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ACR Invites Comment on Perioperative Management Guidelines
The ACR is inviting members and rheumatologists to comment on their proposal to develop recommendations for the "Perioperative Management of Rheumatic Disease Medications in Total Joint Arthroplasty of the Hip and Knee".
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Combined Dermatology-Rheumatology Clinics Benefits Patients
Healio reports that patients followed in a combined Dermatology and Rheumatology clinic in Canada revealed high patient satisfaction.
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Biosimilars Reviewed by Expert Panel
As the number of biosimilars in development keeps on growing, reaching nearly 700 products to date, demand for data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and an understanding of these new biologics is peaking the interest of many.
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"Lost to Follow-up" Patients are Common in Rheumatology
The frequency of not returning (lost to follow-up) (LTFU) in patients with rheumatic diseases is high. Associated demographic factors included older age in RA, female gender in SLE and Ps/PsA, and younger age in Ps/PsA, with various reasons for being LTFU.
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Drugs that May Induce Raynaud's
A systematic review by Khouri examined the extent drugs are capable of inducing Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).
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