Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) is an emerging subset of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) recognized for its distinctive clinical characteristics.

The NEJM has published the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial showing adalimumab and methotrexate is effective in reducing ocular flares in juvenile idiopathic arthritis with uveitis. 

On the 21st of April, the FDA approved another infliximab biosimilar, called Renflexis (Infliximab-abda) following on the biologics license application of the South Korean manufacturer Samsung Bioepis Co. LTD.  In early developmental trials this agent was also called SB2.

An article in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reports that physical activity during adolescence is an important determinant in bone strength. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2oph6vO)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews news and highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.  

Oligoarticular-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis accounts for nearly half of all JIA patients. While many of these children will require DMARD therapy, many others are treated with antiinflammatory meds or intra-articular corticosteroids. But the evidence for this latter approach is scant.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.

SHARE (Single Hub and Access point for pediatric Rheumatology in Europe) was established in 2012 to optimise the diagnosis and treatment of several pediatric diseases. They have recently published their recommendations regarding the diagnosis and management of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

Dr. Cush highlights reports from this week on RheumNow.com.

You should use this information to not only fend for yourself, but to more accurately guide trainees into a richly rewarding specialty that pays well and has many distinctions to boast of, including high science, hands-on patient interactions and long-term relationships, great hours, lifestyle and family friendly careers. Our field is in desperate need of high quality, problem-solving practitioners.

On Monday, November 13, there were two new presentations at the annual ACR 2016 meeting on new biologics seeking approval for use in polyarticular juvenile arthritis.

Etanercept (Enbrel) received FDA approval Friday for use in children with moderate to severe, chronic plaque psoriasis.  Previously approved for adults with plaque psoriasis the new indication will be for chronic plaque psoriasis for those over age 4 years.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights and reports from this week on RheumNow.com, including drug-induced cutaneous lupus, pediatric lupus being worse, new gout drug SEL-12, Gut microbiome and IgA plasmablasts, and the weakly-received new ACP guidelines on gout.

The opioid abuse epidemic is well known and the focus of many regulators and health care personnel.  The problem also affects the youngest Americans, according to a recent Washington Post article. 

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights, news and journal reports from this week at RheumNow.com

The current JAMA Pediatrics issue has published a report showing that adjunctive corticosteroid therapy yielded significantly fewer coronary artery complications compared with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy alone, particularly among high-risk patients with Kawasaki disease.

Dr Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and journal articles appearing this week on RheumNow.com:

The diagnosis of periodic fevers is unified by undiagnosed but recurrent fever. Unfortunately the diagnosis of these disorders is hampered by their infrequency, protean features and a lack of clear criteria. Even more problematic is knowing who should be tested and for which monogenic marker?

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with biologic therapies were at no higher risk for hospitalized infections than those treated with methotrexate alone, But, higher rates were seen with anakinra in systemic JIA.

Three new FDA approvals, proteomics, cancer, infectious risk, nonadherence and disappointing clinical trial results covered in this RheumNow Week in Review.