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Fatigue is Under-Appreciated in Psoriatic Arthritis
Patient-reported fatigue is high in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and often goes under-recognized by physicians. Fatigue importantly impacts physical functioning, work productivity, and health related quality of life (HRQoL).
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Increased Mortality in Giant Cell Arteritis
A population-based study from Ontario, Canada suggests an increased mortality risk in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), according to a recent report in Arthritis Care & Research.
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CDC Reviews Monkeypox
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MMWR
MMWR recently reviewed the epidemiology and characteristics of U.S. monkeypox cases seen between May and July 2022.
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More Bad Safety News for Xeljanz
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MedPage Today
Another analysis of the mandatory postmarketing safety study for tofacitinib (Xeljanz) has confirmed what most observers expected: that rates of infection with the drug in rheumatoid arthritis are higher than with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.
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Should you do sural nerve biopsy (SNB) to Dx vasculitis? Study of 91 pts undergoing SNB suggests the SNB must be off sufficient length to improve Dx yield. 40/91 (44%) showed vasculitis. +SNB assoc w/ longer SNB sample, other organ Sxs & +ANCA https://t.co/aSC9xUfRFB https://t.co/lLRnrqXKaw
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US national study of shows pregnancy in inflammatory bowel disease pts has higher risks for:
- gestational diabetes (AOR)
- HTN complications (1.35)
- Pre-term births (1.41)
- Fetal growth restriction (1.27)
- Fetal death (3.21)
https://t.co/3XTrrrNmoe https://t.co/udl7dXT5IF
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CDC Reviews Monkeypox - 99% men, 94% male-to-male sexual contact; less prodrome; rash (100% including genital), fever (63%), chills (59%), and lymphadenopathy (59%) https://t.co/OUQPXh0RQq
https://t.co/GWpomlj5PX https://t.co/VC6mg35J1Q
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
150 PsA pts assessed preferences in chosing biologics (of most to less preferred):
1 Oral over SC or IV routes
2 Avoiding severe side effects
3 Resume normal activity
4 Avoid infections
5 Improve enthesitis & 6 psoriasis
7 remission
8 Joint pain https://t.co/kE3qtTWBhH https://t.co/KKcsQqEYKf
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Awards issued by ACR, EULAR, BSR Reveal Gender Gap in last 2 decades. While # awards increased (including women), absolute %female prize winners remains lower than males (among 41 total awards). ACR: only ~20% recv top gold medal or Master awards https://t.co/lI548NmeW3 https://t.co/AfRwBANLOE
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More Bad Safety News for Xeljanz
Another analysis of the mandatory postmarketing safety study for tofacitinib (Xeljanz) has confirmed what most observers expected: that rates of infection with the drug in RA are higher than with TNF inhibitors.
https://t.co/5FIwRMXdbT https://t.co/8k4NU6Rh6T
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CARRA Registry study of Kids who D/C DMARDs or biologics but flared & restarted meds: the recapture rate was 55% overall (47% oligoarthritis, 69% systemic JIA. By 12 mos 67% of children achieved inactive dz - better odds w/ restarting biologics (OR 2.74) https://t.co/Psgtd0O2jO https://t.co/xsecVRJqOL
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Prospective study of 189 new non-infectious anterior uveitis pts, found a high prevalence SpA (56%), 93% w/ axial SpA, few (7) w/ peripheral SpA. 74/106 were newly Dx SpA. SpA predictors: psoriasis (OR 12.5), B27+ (OR 6.3),^CRP (OR 4.8) & male (OR 2.1) https://t.co/uTLmJ2QU1A https://t.co/2rejvp3yTa
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Study of diet & RA in 100 new RA & 197 controls; fish/seafood consumption assoc w/ less RA risk (OR 0.52; 0.27–0.98); but processed meat intake yielded increased RA risk (OR 3.45; CI 1.78–6.68). No significant association btw RA and red meats or poultry https://t.co/wLpHfA50mY https://t.co/p2EOLBKrwW
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JAK Inhibitors in Difficult Still’s Disease
A small retrospective study suggests that patients with difficult to treat AOSD or sJIA may respond well to JAKi agents - presumable by blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines, notably IL-6 and IFN.
https://t.co/cH9wb8bPTX https://t.co/Xm7DUC5okk
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Lilly has announced that Taltz (ixekizumab) is now available as a Citrate-Free Formulation to reduce injection site pain for patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis & nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis. https://t.co/kFQVUdalQp https://t.co/UKtFzReIe6
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Amgen and ChemoCentryx, (maker of newly approved Avacopan)have entered into a definitive agreement wherein Amgen will acquire ChemoCentryx for ~$3.7 billion ($52 per share). https://t.co/8quO9ET8vH https://t.co/AphPizgKo8
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Do not take antacids or PPI with mycophenolate. Magnesium & aluminium hydroxide antacids (Maalox) will lower MMF Cmax 33% & AUC 17% if given simultaneously. PPI also lowers AUC by ~33% https://t.co/IoWISgL3SY https://t.co/JV1Yv5Pg9d https://t.co/b8UoQ4zMUV https://t.co/VwNgVQ5End
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Evusheld works & reduces COVID-19 by 77%; yet only 25% of available Rx has been used. Its FREE to the ~7000 immunocompromised pts who might benefit from it. Repeat doses (300 mg) every 6 mos! Time to jump on this! https://t.co/IzcAUvKoW8 https://t.co/h5q25yWCHG
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Study of 57 #RA pts. w/ ILD treated with abatacept. Lung progression in 46% before ABA. After median 27 mos of follow-up, ILD
- 72% improved or stabilized
- 23% worsened
- 5% died.
No significant change in FVC, DLCO
ILD worse assoc w/ DAS28, FVC DLCO https://t.co/kLa61ZS8dt https://t.co/7XhqxcHuCt
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Krill Oil Effective in Knee Osteoarthritis
Krill oil supplements in knee OA was shown to be superior to placebo in reducing knee pain, stiffness and function while increasing the omega-3 index.
https://t.co/Tx4UnDf5m3 https://t.co/bsh2DQYGc9
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)