While the phenotypes of RA and SLE are quite different, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) performed in the past have shown a genetic overlap between both.

Rare reports of bisphosphonate associated atypical femoral fractures (AFF) and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have raised concerns about the chronic use of bisphosphonates. The risk of AFF and ONJ was assessed in an analysis of the Swedish national database.  

Singh and coworkers have assessed the value of adding a biologic to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients not responding to either methotrexate (MTX) or DMARDs. The results of their netowork metanalsysis is published as a Cochrane review wherein they examined a total of 90 RCTs (73 new) with 32

The widespread use of existing biologics has sometimes been associated with the paradoxical development of biologic-induced autoimmune phenomena, including vasculitis. A recent review of more than 200 vasculitis cases associated with biologic use has profiled the range of these unsual and rare events.

Women with a history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are more than twice as likely as those without this condition to be diagnosed with heart disease, according to the results of a new study.

How would you manage rheumatoid arthritis patients with melanoma in situ, or high liver enzymes or interstitial lung disease? Curbside consults takes on these challenging therapeutic or safety issues with answers are based on experience, literature and guidelines.

Research presented at the annual British Society for Rheumatology conference revealed that rheumatoid arthritis patients who drink moderately while taking methotrexate appear to be at no greater risk for liver damage than nondrinkers.

Watch Dr. Cush discuss the highlights from this week on RheumNow.com.

Interchangeability is a major issue that will determine the success of biosimilars.

Silverman and a panel from the IOF Fracture Working Group reviewed the data and trials to develop guidelines for the use of osteoporosis medications after incident fractures or to treat delayed fracture healing.

Doshi and colleagues have conducted a retrospective claims analysis (2009 through 2012) of psoriasis patients on Medicare to examine the use and adherence to those initiating treatment with either infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, or ustekinumab.

It is important to know where you’ve been, as it will most certainly color where you are going. Hence, in honor of our 1st year anniversary, we have taken note of our most popular articles.

Numerous guidelines (ACR, ACIP/CDC, ATS, NICE) all call for timely vaccinations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those receiving immunosuppressives or biologics. 

Alpha defensins are released following apoptosis, necrosis, or netosis of human neutrophils. They are taken up by other cells and microbes, wherein they permeablize membranes and kill microbes and host cells. Thus, they augment the antimicrobial capacity of macrophages and at the same time inhibit the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines.

Markusse and investigators from The Netherlands have reported their 10 year results of treating early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using targeted treatment strategies.

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.

Three articles (2 studies, 1 commentary) in this week's issue of NEJM tackle the issue of whether fusion adds anything to long-term outcomes in those undergoing decompression for lumbar spinal fusion.

Major advances in biosimilars have occurred in the last three months, beginning with the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee voting 21-3 to approve Celltrion’s Inflectra (CT-P13) and ending with the recent approval of Inflectra (generically referred to as infliximab dyyb).

One of the hallmarks of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is presence of antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA).

In a retrospective cohort comparison study, 42,180 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were compared 1:4 with 168,000 normal controls to examine the incidence of new tuberculosis in Taiwan. The RA population included those receiving csDMARDs (36,162), etanercept (3,577), adalimumab (1,67