FDA Will Review Opioid Analgesic Use and REMS Programs for Pediatric Pain Patients

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Amidst a stringent regulatory environment, and with the rising use and abuse of narcotics and increasing regulation limiting narcotic analgesic use, the FDA approved (August 2015) the use of extended-release oxycodone in children (11 to 16 years old) with severe, "around-the-clock" pain

Osteoporotic Fractures at Higher Risk for Subsequent Fractures

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Harvey and coworkers reported the results of subjects followed in the Reykjavik study, demonstrating that a first osteoporotic fracture was followed by an increased risk for a second fracture, both immediately and over time.

HLA-B*5801 Testing Needed in Asians and Blacks with Gout

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Choi and colleagues analyzed US hospitalizations (2009–2013) to assess the frequency and racial distribution of patients hospitalized with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) related to the use of urate-lowering (ULT) therapy (predominantly allopurinol).

March 2016 Top Social Media News

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In March 2016, RheumNow published 82 social media “tweets” regarding news, research and teaching points that impact the rheumatology community. These feeds had a reach (impressions) of 86,400 with, 76 mentions, and over 2700 visits to learn on RheumNow.com.

RheumNow Week in Review - 8 April 2016

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the rheumatology highlights from the news, media, and journals from this past week:

Statin Side Effects Are For Real

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The GAUSS-3 trial, recently published in JAMA, examined cholesterol-lowering interventions in patients with a high LDL (>120 mg/dl) and a history of statin intolerance to 2 or more statins. 

Choosing ANA Tests Wisely - Education Fosters Smarter Use

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It is estimated that 21% of laboratory tests are requested inappropriately. Researchers have explored the impact of educational programs for rheumatologists working at three rheumatology departments in secondary and tertiary care centers in The Netherlands.

ACC Publishes Guidelines for Non-Statin Therapies

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The American College of Cardiology has released its expert consensus guidance regarding the use of non-statin therapies to lower cholesterol in high-risk patients.

Severe Psoriasis Associated with a Renal Disease Risk

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There have been several reports of psoriasis being linked to chronic renal disease in the literature. Another population-based study has also found a link between severe psoriasis and kidney disease. 

Treating OA Knee Effusions with Low-Dose Spironolactone

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Knee effusions in osteoarthritis are estimated to occur in 44% of patients, and more than half of these are painful.  Management of knee OA with effusions can be problematic given the treatment options and the high recurrence rate.

Opioid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Opioid use and abuse is at an all time high. Epidemiologic and public health analyses have led to greater stringency and attempts to limit use have adversely effected those with arthritis.

Incidence of Psoriatic Arthritis Among Psoriasis Patients

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Researchers at the University of Toronto have prospectively studied a cohort of 464 psoriasis patients without a diagnosis of arthritis and followed them over 8 years to estimate the incidence and frequency of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 

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

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.

Statin-Induced Autoimmune Myopathy

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The CDC estimates nearly 71% of adults with cardiovascular disease and 54% of adults with hypercholesterolemia use a cholesterol-lowering

Hemochromatosis Reviewed

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Powell et al have published in Lancet a review of hemochromatosis; its genetics, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management.

Differences in Diuretic-Induced Gout

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Diuretics are frequently implicated causes of hyperuricemia and gout.  And there are gout variants wherein age, renal dysfunction and diuretic use may give rise to gouty attack in the hands of women with nodal osteoarthritis.

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.