New Zoster Vaccine Recommended by FDA Panel

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Reuters reports that the FDA advisory panel has voted 11-0 in favor of the safety and efficacy and ultimate approval of GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix shingles vaccine for use in adults aged 50 and over.

Why Rheumatologists Should Do Better Vaccinating this Flu Season

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It is well known that influenza infection is more common in patients with rheumatologic diseases. Blumentals et al.

Jak Inhibition May Ameliorate Pruritus

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Interleukin-4 has been shown to activate sensory neurons involved in pruritus, and that inhibition of IL-4 with Jak inhibition significantly alleviates itching.

Past Infection, Lung Disease Raise Risk for Myopathy

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Infections and noninfectious pulmonary disease were associated with an increased risk for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), a Swedish study found.

Hugo E. Jasin, MD (1933-2017)

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Hugo E. Jasin, M.D., a long-time faculty member at The University of Texas Southwestern Medeical Center and the University of Arkansas College of Medicine, passed away on August 24th, at the age of 84 years.

New Recommendations on Biosimilar Use

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The introduction of a growing number of biosimilars into the market poses a substantial change in cost of care for patients with inflammatory rheumatologic disorders.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis Augments Cardiovascular Risk

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A large multi-center study of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has shown, after nearly 6 years follow-up, more CV events in males than females (21% vs. 11%, respectively) and that RA itself accounts for 30% of the attributable CV risk.

Psoriasis Doubles Mortality Risk

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Noe and colleagues have reported in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology that by estimating the extent of skin involvement in psoriasis (%BSA) they may assess future mortality risk. 

New EULAR Guidelines for Ultrasound Use

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In the current issue of ARD, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has revised and updated its 2001 guideline for musculoskeletal (MS) ultrasound (US) in rheumatology; this time incorporating new advances, technological developments and use indications in rheumatology. EULAR has provided this as an educational tool and standard reference for MSUS practice and research in rheumatology.

Do Rheumatologists Use ACR/EULAR Guidance on Rheumatoid Arthritis? “Live Vote” Results

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The June 2017 RheumNow “Live Vote” surveyed US and non-US rheumatologists and patients about how they diagnose and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether they rely on newer diagnostic criteria and management guidelines propagated by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Increasing Deaths and Breaking Bad with Fentanyl

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Opioid overdose deaths quadrupled from 1999 to 2015 and accounted for 63% of drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2015. During 2010–2015, heroin overdose deaths quadrupled from 3,036 to 12,989, with heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) as likely contributors to this trend.

What Can 30 Years of Rheumatic Disease Research Tell Us About the Future?

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As a practicing rheumatologist for more than 30 years, I can recall a time – just a couple of decades ago – when waiting rooms were full of patients in wheelchairs, debilitated and in pain from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other related conditions.

DSB Reports & Updates – August 2017

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This Drug Safety Bulletin address FDA delay of baricitinib, etanercept effective at room temperature, Consumer Reports features on drug safety, no association between Alzheimer's and PPIs, AHRQ review of opioid drug safety, FDA safety abeling changes, drug shortages and more. 

Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy Quadruples Death Risk

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A Swedish population-based study found a nearly fourfold greater risk of all-cause mortality in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients compared with the general population.

Patient Recordings of Visits May be Legal

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The current issue of JAMA reviews the rising practice of patient recording of medical visits and their legality.

Shingles Vaccine Studies in A&R

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The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology features an editorial and two novel articles on the herpes zoster vaccine.

Canakinumab Reduces CV Outcomes in High Risk Patients

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The results of a randomized, double-blind trial have shown that canakinumab (CAN), an interleukin-1β inhibitor, given as 150 mg every 3 months, resulted in a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events (in high-risk CV patients), independent of lipid-level lowering. The results of the CANTOS studywere simultaneously published in NEJM, Lancet and were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona.

Another Adalimumab Biosimilar Approved

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On Friday August 25th, the FDA approved another adalimumab biosimilar: Cyltezo (generic name: adalimumab-adbm).

Adalimumab Biosimilars Adding Up

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Reuters reports that yet another adalimumab biosimilar has been approved by European Union regulators.

The new drug is named Imraldi, and is manufactured by Samsung Bioepis, a company who has several biosimilars approved or in development for worldwide use.

Dr. H. Ralph Schumacher (1933-2017)

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Dr. H. Ralph Schumacher passed away from ALS in July 30, 2017. The current issues of The Rheumatologist  and the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology have beautiful tributes written by Dr. Simon Helfgott and past ACR president Dr.