Psoriasis Doubles Mortality Risk

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Noe and colleagues have reported in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology that by estimating the extent of skin involvement in psoriasis (%BSA) they may assess future mortality risk. 

Increasing Deaths and Breaking Bad with Fentanyl

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Opioid overdose deaths quadrupled from 1999 to 2015 and accounted for 63% of drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2015. During 2010–2015, heroin overdose deaths quadrupled from 3,036 to 12,989, with heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) as likely contributors to this trend.

1 September 2017: The RheumNow Week in Review

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This week's report includes new data on IL-1 inhibition and protection from CV events and lung cancer, baricitinib given a reprieve, and features on infections: HBV, shingles and mortality of septic arthritis.

DSB Reports & Updates – August 2017

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This Drug Safety Bulletin address FDA delay of baricitinib, etanercept effective at room temperature, Consumer Reports features on drug safety, no association between Alzheimer's and PPIs, AHRQ review of opioid drug safety, FDA safety abeling changes, drug shortages and more. 

Canakinumab Patients have Lower Risk of Lung Cancer

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The CANTOS trial has shown that interleukin 1β inhibition by Canakinumab (CAN) resulted not only in a reduction of cardiovascular deaths but also significantly decreased the incidence and death from lung cancer.

Turnabout for Baricitinib

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Eli Lilly and Company and Incyte Corporation announced today that, after discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late August 2017, Lilly will resubmit a revised New Drug Application for baricitinib before the end of January 2018. The resubmission package will include new safety and efficacy data. 

Shingles Vaccine Studies in A&R

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The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology features an editorial and two novel articles on the herpes zoster vaccine.

Canakinumab Reduces CV Outcomes in High Risk Patients

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The results of a randomized, double-blind trial have shown that canakinumab (CAN), an interleukin-1β inhibitor, given as 150 mg every 3 months, resulted in a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events (in high-risk CV patients), independent of lipid-level lowering. The results of the CANTOS studywere simultaneously published in NEJM, Lancet and were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona.

Adalimumab Biosimilars Adding Up

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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

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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.

IV Golimumab Shines in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Golimumab (GOL) is one of five marketed TNF inhibitors (TNFi) that is FDA approved for use in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

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

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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.  

Therapeutic Update: 5 Questions on FDA Hearing for Tofacitinib in PsA

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In this Therapeutic Update, Drs. Mease, Gibofsky and Cush answer five questions regarding the August 3rd FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee meeting that reviewed the potential approval of tofacitinib (Xeljanz) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The panel was nearly unanimous (10-1) in favor of the efficacy and safety profile of of tofacitinib, and similarly voted 10-1 to approve this drug for use in PsA. Final decisions on these recommendations from the AAC panel will be made at a later date by the FDA. 

The Unregulated $37 Billion Supplement Industry

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In 1994 there were 600 supplement companies, producing 4,000 OTC supplement products for a total revenue of about $4 billion. Today we have close to 6,000 companies, producting nearly 75,000 supplement products, bringing in $37 billion annually.

Pegloticase Infusion Reactions Largely Seen in Non-Responders

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The introduction of intravenous pegloticase (PEG) in 2010 was felt by many to be a major advance in the treatment of patients with severe, refractory tophaceous gout.  But for some, concerns over infusion reactions and safety have limited its use.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 18 August 2017

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

No Evidence to Support Use of Gabapentinoids in Low Back Pain

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Management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is often complex, requiring multiple modalities and meds to control pain. An analysis of studies shows that Gabapentinoids, including pregabalin and gabapentin, have little to no benefits but significant risk of adverse effects.

Marijuana Has Little Effect on Most Types of Pain

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Cannabis has become a regulated product, and many states have made it available with the intent of treating a variety of medical disorders, including chronic pain. A metanalysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine has shown that while cannabis may help neuropathic pain, it is not proven to benefit other types of chronic pain.

Psoriatic Arthritis Patients with Comorbidities have Worse Disease and Poor Responses

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A population-based cohort study shows that comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis patients (PsA) were associated with higher disease activity, shorter persistence and reduced clinical response to TNF inhibitors (TNFi). 

Uveitis Events Reduced with Select TNF Inhibitors

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Uveitis may occur in up to 40% of spondyloarthritis patients. Metanalyses have shown that treatment with tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor may reduce the rates of anterior uveitis. A multicenter study from Sweden and Norway has confirmed that amongst TNFi, adalimumab and infliximab offer better protection against AU than etanercept.