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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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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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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
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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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Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Inhibitor in Cutaneous Lupus
Litifilimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against BDCA2, targets the BDCA2 receptor on plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
https://t.co/nmadPUhlyH https://t.co/4UbNPMtxIh
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Upadacitinib in non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
The janus kinase inhibitor, upadacitinib, has been shown to significantly improve the signs and symptoms of nr-AxSpA, extending the efficacy of UPA beyond classic ankylosing spondylitis.
https://t.co/IqKdvRkcgZ https://t.co/cieXqJABTL
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Approach to ILD in Myositis Syndromes
Mehta et al have published a full read review of managing ILD in patients with inflammatory myopathies, a heterogeneous group of syndromes connected by ILD and and increased morbidity and mortality risk.
https://t.co/av6fVqASme https://t.co/utHJ9oiyRq
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The FDA has extended its indications for ustekinumab (Stelara) for use in pediatric psoriatic arthritis aged 6 years and older. Pediatric PsA makes up 6% of all pediatric inflammatory arthritis pts. https://t.co/7bGJ0ZCJJl https://t.co/GtuXdHj3Og
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FDA has approved a topical PDE4 inhibitor Roflumilast (Zoryve) a 0.3% cream for use in Plaque Psoriasis (Age 12 and Older) https://t.co/UwDf3UkuZI https://t.co/5l4xE1LaxA https://t.co/PpwiKYUpdN
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#RA disease activity drives risk of hospitalized infections (SIE). Study of 3,254 RA pts w/ 529 hospitalized infx. SIE seen 3.8/100 person Yrs in remission, 6.6/100PY w/ low Dz activity & 8/100PY w/ moderate Dz activity. HR was 1.60 w/ LDA and 1.83 w/ MDA https://t.co/i4bSsnRiHk https://t.co/kcN9ZvpSOn
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PsA Females: more likely to have Peripheral arthritis, have more pain, fatigue, poor function, lower QOL and less likely to have xray damage (than men)
Males: more axial dz & severe psoriasis
PsA Women may need more psychosocial support & pain management https://t.co/ZYWYu1K3jW https://t.co/xZX913vGdX
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)