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Update on Anti-Drug Antibodies and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
We use biologic agents on a daily basis in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Despite having an expanding array of options, our profession is keen on gaining a deeper understanding of why certain drugs fail and being able to predict the most appropriate next steps in treatment.
Read ArticleTNR: Decisions in Methotrexate
This Tuesday Night Rheumatology panel discussion on "Methotrexate Decisions" features Drs. Michael Weinblatt, Grace Wright, Richard Conway and Joel Kremer.
Read ArticleMachine Learning May Diagnose Psoriatic Arthritis Earlier
A machine learning approach was applied to two different population cohorts and was shown to be effective at the early identification of undiagnosed psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – with Special Guest Dr. Peter Nash (9.15.2023)
This week, Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news with special guest, Dr. Peter Nash. They discuss COVID Autoantibodies, SpA life expectancy, HCQ, extraarticular RA and our approach to Early RA referrals and pre-clinical RA.
Read ArticleHydroxychloroquine Adherence Lowers Cardiovascular Risks
Daily hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is better than an apple a day; as a new study shows that adherence to the antimalarial agent significantly lowers future risk of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.
Read ArticleRheumNow Podcast – with Special Guest Dr. Janet Pope (9.8.2023)
This week, Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news with special guest, Dr. Janet Pope. They discuss "Not-non-Inferior", large scale genetic screening, Zoster risk w/ newer lupus drugs, tapering, RA referral problems and the TNR webinar session on "ORAL Surveillance Revisited".
Read ArticleWoeful Rheumatology Referrals
Early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (IA) is rooted in patient (self or MD) referrals. A recent analysis shows only a minority of rheumatology referrals had inflammatory arthritis, with only 21% were seen within the first 6 weeks of symptoms.
Read ArticleICYMI: ACR Guidelines for Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Rheumatic Conditions
The American College of Rheumatology released summaries of two new guidelines for the Screening and Monitoring of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease and for the Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.
Read Article2023 ACR/EULAR Antiphospholipid Syndrome Classification Criteria
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and EULAR have combined efforts to establish an international multidisciplinary Steering Committee to develop classification criteria for the new antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) to be applied in observational studies and clinical trials.
Read ArticleACR Guidelines for Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Rheumatic Conditions
The American College of Rheumatology released summaries of two new guidelines for the Screening and Monitoring of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease and for the Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.
Read ArticleMono- and Oligo- are Different (8.18.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com this past week.
Read ArticleImaging Mass Cytometry to Study Lupus Nephritis
Lupus researchers from the University of Houston are reporting the first use of the powerful imaging mass cytometry to examine the kidneys of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, as a means of diagnosing lupus nephritis in SLE patients. LN is a severe inflammation of the kidneys and a major cause of death in lupus patients. Up to 60% of SLE patients will develop renal symptoms with 5–20% of those patients progressing to end stage kidney disease within 10 years.
Read ArticleResidual Disease in Controlled Axial Spondyloarthritis
Despite being in a state of remission or low disease activity state, in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, up to 42% may still have residual disease.
Read ArticleEnglish for the Biologically-Challenged (8.4.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week highlights Veterans, Vegetarians and Antenatal Corticosteroids.
Read ArticleBifunctional B-cell Targeted Therapy in IgG4-related Disease
A novel B-cell depletion trial, using obexelimab (a bifunctional, monoclonal antibody that binds CD19 and Fc gamma receptor IIb), has shown efficacy and safety in patients with active IgG4-related disease.
Read ArticlePredicting Inflammatory Arthritis in At-Risk Persons
The Annals of Internal Medicine has published a predictive score to distinguish low-risk from high-risk inflammatory arthritis (IA) and who may benefit from risk stratification and preventive measures.
Read Article2023 ACR/EULAR Criteria for Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
The prevalence of radiographic chondrocalcinosis is estimated to be 4% to ≥10% in older adults, but the prevalence of symptomatic calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is unknown. To advance our understanding of CPPD, the American College of Rheumatology and EULAR have published validated classification criteria for symptomatic CPPD disease.
Read ArticleEULAR/ACR Guidance on Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome
A EULAR/American College of Rheumatology task force has established evidence based, up-to-date guidance and expert opinion on the evaluation, management and monitoring of patients with Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), with the primary intent to halt disease progression and prevent life-threatening complications from HLH/MAS.
Read ArticleVoclosporin in SLE - Long-Term Safety and Efficacy
The AURORA 2 study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of voclosporin lupus nephritis patients and, after three years, demonstrated long term safety and efficacy following the one-year AURORA 1 study.
Read ArticleHold the Methotrexate for One Week
In 2018, Park et al showed optimal responses to influenza vaccination in RA patients was best achieved by holding methotrexate for 2 weeks following immunization, with improved humoral responses. Now, a followup trial suggests that equivalent results are had by holding MTX for only 1 week with the "flu" vaccine.
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