Adalimumab Biosimilars Adding Up

Save

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.

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections - Diagnosis and Management for the Rheumatologist

Save

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial infections are among the most frequently reported opportunistic infections in the setting of biologic therapy. While there are hundreds of NTM species, only a minority are clinically relevant. In this review, I'll address important NTM diagnosis and management issues relevant to patients receiving biologic therapy.

Treat-to-Target a Bust with Rheumatologists

Save

Treat-to-target strategy is widely advocated as an important means of optimizing treatment responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Even though T2T is encouraged by most guidelines, a current report shows that US Rheumatologists fail to implement T2T in their daily practice.

It's Rheumatoid Arthritis, not the TNF inhibitor, that Drives Lymphoma Risk

Save

Evidence from multiple studies suggests there is an increased risk of lymphoma in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that is believed to be linked to the cumulative activity of the disease.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis Increases Risk of Repeat Coronary Events and Mortality

Save

Studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have increased risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and may suffer from poorer short-term outcomes after ACS. The long-term outcomes in patients with RA with ACS was shown to be worse than matched non-RA patients also with ACS.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 18 August 2017

Save

The RheumNow Week in Review discusses the past week's news, journal articles and highlights from RheumNow.com.

Bad Knees Through the Ages

Save

The average American today is twice as likely to be diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis as in the years before World War II, Harvard scientists say. And the reasons are less clear than you might think.

Based on a study of more than 2,000 skeletons from cadaveric and archaeological collections across the United States, a Harvard report is the first to definitively show that knee osteoarthritis prevalence has dramatically increased in recent decades.

How Much Testing is Enough?

Save

I saw a patient this past week with new onset polyarthralgia, which led me to ponder how my fellow rheumatologists would utilize laboratory testing in such a patient.

Kids with Crohn's have Profound MSK Deficits - but No Increase in Fractures

Save

Crohn’s disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, is also known for its propensity to affect the musculoskeletal system.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 11 August 2017

Save

The RheumNow Week in Review caps the week's news every Friday. Dr Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and important events from the past week in rheumatology.

Joint Pain Linked to Increasing Temperature, Not Rainfall

Save

Every rheumatologist knows and every rheumatic patient woes about the havoc weather inflicts on joint pains. Yet, research on this issue has seldom confirmed these impressions.

Criteria for Early Referrals from Primary Care

Save

Early diagnosis and early intervention has been the mantra of all who manage musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases for decades. While the rules for referral may be clear to some, the lack of uniformity and promotion amongst primary care providers is less certain.

JIA Worsens Quality of Life Long into Adulthood

Save

Adult patients with a history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) showed poorer health-related quality of life decades later, compared with individuals who were healthy as children -- even if they were in clinical remission, reported researchers in Norway.

Therapeutic Update: 5 Questions on Sirukumab FDA Hearing

Save

Drs. Cush and Gibofsky answer 5 questions about the August 2, 2017 FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee meeting that reviewed the NDA for sirukumab use in rheumatoid arthritis. The panel voted against (1-12) the approval of sirukumab.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 4 August 2017

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews new FDA decisions on sirukumab and tofacitinib as well as other news items from the past week on RheumNow.com. 

Arthritis Advisory Panel Votes Down Sirukumab

Save

On Wednesday, August 2, the FDA convened the Arthritis Advisory Committee (AAC) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Janssen’s anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody, sirukumab.

Pediatric Consensus on Comorbidity Assessments

Save

Comorbidity is a serious consequence or confounder in patients with inflammatory diseases. This has been well described in both psoriatic and rheumatoid disease.

No Increase in Malformations with Etanercept Use During Pregnancy

Save

While there are several reports detailing uncontrolled, observational results of biologic use during pregnancy, most are hampered by low numbers, incomplete data and too small a sample to make reliable judgements regarding the teratogenicity.  A company sponsored claims data analysis has shown that etanercept exposure during pregnancy was not associated with an increase in major congenital malformations (MCMs).

CDC: Outbreak of Arthrocentesis Related Septic Arthritis Cases in New Jersey

Save

In March 2017, an outbreak of 41 cases of septic arthritis associated with intra-articular injections administered at an single outpatient practice occurred in New Jersey. A public health investigation identified multiple breaches of recommended infection prevention practices during the preparation and administration of PBP products. The intraarticular injections were done using fluoroscopic visualization. The CDC has reported the results of its investigation.

August 2nd AAC Meeting: FDA Concerns Over Sirukumab Deaths

Save

On August 2, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will convene a hearing of the Arthritis Advisory Committee (AAC) to review the safety of the novel IL-6 inhibitor, sirukumab, being developed by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).