Antibiotics Fail to Treat Chronic Symptoms of Lyme Disease

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(Reuters Health) - Twelve weeks of antibiotic therapy proved ineffective at combating the long-term symptoms seen in some people who have had Lyme disease, a new test of 280 sufferers found. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1Rs21R5)

1 in 2 Americans Have Musculoskeletal Conditions

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A recent report from the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) estimates that 126.6 million Americans (one in two adults) are affected by a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition; a number on par with the number of Americans living with a chronic lung or heart conditions.

High Mortal Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Following Arthroplasty

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and post-MI fatality compared with the general population. At issue is whether this applies to those undergoing a surgical procedure.

Biologics Are Safe When Used During Pregnancy in IBD

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This is a reposting of an earlier report on RheumNow that includes additional commentary from Dr. Sunada Kane, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic who specializes in both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pregnancy. 

Week in Review - 25 March 2016

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1. phase 3, BRIDGE study shows romosozumab (anti-sclerostin MAb) significantly increases lumbar BMD in men with osteoporosis


2. Statin use is associated with a 21% increased risk of skin cancer (NMSC) - data

The Increasing and Disappointing P Value

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In the March 15th issue of JAMA, Chavalarias and coworkers describe the evolution of the “P value” and its use in biomedical research in the last 25 years.  (CItation Source http://buff.ly/22L0pG7)

Increasing Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions in Seniors

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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

First Head-to-Head TNF Trial Ends in a Draw

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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.

FDA Approves Taltz for Psoriasis

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Tuesday the FDA approved the IL-17 inhibitor, Taltz (ixekizumab) for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1py10wd) 

Bisphosphonate Use Falls Following FDA Warnings

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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.

Acetaminophen: No Effect in Osteoarthritis Pain or Function

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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.

Minimal Disease Activity Falls Short in Psoriatic Arthritis

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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.

Ixekizumab Superior to Etanercept in Psoriasis

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The UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3 trials were presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting taking this week in Washington, D.C.

Vitamin D has No Effect on Knee Osteoarthritis

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Vitamin D supplementation for individuals with knee osteoarthritis and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels did not reduce knee pain or slow cartilage loss, according to a study appearing in the March 8 issue of JAMA.

 

Intraarticular Steroids Before Joint Surgery Increase Infection Risk

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Hip and knee intraarticular injection of corticosteroids are frequently prescribed to alleviate pain or inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the period leading up to scheduled arthroplasty.

TNF Inhibition and Heart Failure

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Clinicians often face the issue of using a TNF inhibitor (TNFi) in patients with heart failure or cardiac disease. Here are the facts and data necessary to make a cogent decision to use or avoid TNFi.

Less Treatment, Responses and Safety in Elder-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis

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A recent review compared elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) to those with younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) to assess treatment responses and safety issues with biologics and DMARDS. EORA is generally defined as the onset of rheumatoid arthritis after age 60 years.

Subclinical Synovitis in Psoriasis Portends Future Psoriatic Arthritis

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It is estimated that nearly 30% of psoriasis patients will develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA).  This prevalence was studied by performing MRI scans on asymptomatic psoriasis (n=56) and 30 control patients without arthritis. 

Tools, Brains & Organizers for Your Phone

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Most people can’t live without their cell phone. But does the device define the modern medicine man and woman?  

Rheumatoid Arthritis Alone is Not a Risk for Post-Op CV Events

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Using hospitalization claims from 7 states, reasearchers studied the risk of cardiovascular outcomes following surgery in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.  (Citation source http://buff.ly/1TDsVG6)