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Tocilizumab Induces and Maintains Remission in Giant Cell Arteritis
Lancet has reported the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tocilizumab in patients with new-onset giant cell arteritis (GCA).
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Intraarticular Steroids Before Joint Surgery Increase Infection Risk
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.
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AAOS Guidelines on Carpal Tunnel Diagnosis
Three million Americans are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome each year.
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Methotrexate Safety with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Chronic liver disease, and in particular hepatitis B infection, is a contraindication to methotrexate (MTX) use.
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TNF Inhibition and Heart Failure
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.
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Early Aggressive Treatment of Elderly RA Results in Less Joint Surgery
Two population-based cohorts from Ontario (ON) and Quebec (QC) were used to assess if early DMARD influenced the need for joint replacement surgery among elderly patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis.
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Less Treatment, Responses and Safety in Elder-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis
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.
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Tools, Brains & Organizers for Your Phone
Most people can’t live without their cell phone. But does the device define the modern medicine man and woman?
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Oral Prednisolone and NSAIDs Equipotent in Acute Gout
An emergency department based study evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral prednisolone versus indomethacin in 416 patients with acute gout in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial.
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Curbside Consults - February 2016
The following is a collection of cases presented to me by rheumatology colleagues. Each has a challenging therapeutic or safety issue. Answers are based on experience with references from literature and guidelines.
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Challenges of Dermatomyositis Progress
In the current issue of Lancet, Pierre Miossec discusses the challenges of studying and managing juvenile dermatomyositis and, specifically, the
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Pulmonary Hypertension Earlier and More Severe in Men with Scleroderma
Pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and historically thought to slowly evolve in those with limited scleroderma over many years.
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Only Two-Thirds of US Adults Get Adequate Sleep
Optimal sleep duration for adults is suppose to be 7 or more hours of sleep each night. Shorter sleep duration (7 hours per night) is associated with greater likelihoods of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, frequent mental distress, and death.
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CBC Hidden Pearls
CBC…it’s easy as 123! The complete blood count (aka, CBC) is the most routine, but indispensable, of all medical assessments.
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Ultrasound Training Escalates in the United States
A recent report cites the frequency of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) education in US residency and fellowship training programs.
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Lupus Flares After Renal Transplant
Whether lupus activity is ameliorated by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or transplantation has been debated.
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RWCS 2016 - Updates in AS, PsA and Lupus
Update on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Spondyloarthritis
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Relapse Common in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Overall survival and survival free of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have both improved significantly over time in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), but the risk of relapse has not.
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What To Do After Teriparatide?
Once the clock runs out on teriparatide (TPTD or Forteo), what is the next best option?
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Rheumatoid Modern Management is Better but More Costly
The mantra of rheumatologists worldwide is to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) earlier and more aggressively. While referral of early RA patients has improved, there is little data demonstrating that more aggressive treatment works or is cost effective.
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