Hydroxychloroquine Postexposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 Fails

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NEJM has reported that the use of hydroxychloroquine did not prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection when used within 4 days after SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Currently for persons who are COVID exposed, the standard of care is quarantine and there is no known preventative therapy.

TNR Grand Rounds - Update on Biosimilars

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This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Jonathan Kay (U Mass) who gave an update on Biosimilars and took questions the subject. The program was moderated by Dr. Jack Cush.

Noninflammatory Pain Persists in RA Despite Treatment

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Almost one-third of patients with new-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reported persistent unacceptable pain after 21 months of combination therapy, according to a study by Swedish researchers.A total of 29% of patients continued to have unacceptable pain.

First Look at COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry

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Gianfresco et al have published the first peer-reviewed analysis of COVID-19 infected, rheumatic disease patients entered into the Rheumatology Global Alliance registry; showing that a) rheumatic disease patient can be infected with COVID-19, b) that DMARD and biologic use has no apparent effect on outcomes and c) steroid increase and TNF inhibitor decrease the odds of hospitalization.

RheumNow Podcast - Rheumatic Patients with COVID (5.29.20)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Targeting the Wnt Pathway Fails in OA

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The Wnt pathway modulator lorecivivint failed to meet the primary endpoint in a phase IIa study for knee osteoarthritis (OA), but showed promise in certain patient subgroups, researchers reported.

TNR Grand Rounds - Cytokine Storm Syndromes

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This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Randy Cron from the University of Alabama - Birmingham as he spoke and took questions on the immunology, immunopathogenesis and treatment of Cytokine Storm Syndrome, especially as they relate to COVID-19 and rheumatic disease patients. The program was moderated by Dr. Jack Cush.

Hydroxychloroquine Improves Survival in Lupus

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Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has dominated the news in recent weeks, because of poor outcomes reported when used in COVID patients. Yet, a recent report reaffirms what rheumatologists have known for years - that HCQ use is associated with better outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus, including survival.  

Low Risk of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Rheumatic Patients

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A current letter in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease details the rheumatic disease patient cohort outcomes from the University of Siena, Italy showing only 2 cases of COVID-19 among 859 patients treated with tsDMARDs and bDMARDs.

Again, Antimalarial Use Fails to Benefit COVID

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Today Lancet reported the results of another retrospective trial showing that hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, alone or with a macrolide antibioitic, offered no additional benefits to COVID-19 patients, but was associated with higher rates of mortality and arrhythmia.

RheumNow Podcast - Preaching to the Choir (5.22.20)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

No Certain Link between Biologics and Melanoma Risk

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A review of available data fails to show an increased risk of melanoma in IMID (inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis) patients treated with systemic biologic therapies.