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Secukinumab Use in Refractory Giant Cell Arteritis
In 2023, the phase 2 TitAIN study showed that the effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in 52 patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) who had an inadequate response to tocilizumab.
2025 EULAR/ACR Risk Stratification Criteria for At-Risk Arthralgia
A collaborative EULAR/ACR expert panel has established criteria for arthralgia patients at risk (clinically suspect arthralgia) to progress to chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Target trial emulation study data from British Dermatologists Biologics & Immunomodulators Register, compared 231 PSO Rx w/ MTX + Adalimumab against 1553 PSO on ADA. @1Yr MTX did not augment ADA only responses based on Rx survival (79% vs 78%) or PASI75 (49% vs 52%). https://t.co/Lrpuhfarsb
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Methotrexate Fails in Knee Osteoarthritis
We'll be blunt: methotrexate flopped in a randomized placebo-controlled trial among patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
https://t.co/Y9elFXTkhN https://t.co/rs8wP7A1bv
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HLA-B27 Testing in Practice
Analysis of testing for human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) in a teaching center shows HLA-B27 testing was frequently performed by rheumatologists and nonrheumatologists for a broad spectrum of indications and primarily as a screening test. https://t.co/IabqHyi0rl
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The global regenerative medicine market is estimated to be valued at USD 9.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 22.05 billion by 2035 -- AMAZING, especially since the (lack of) science and most evidence does NOT support it's efficacy! https://t.co/2D2K1jrQZH https://t.co/UBMPgeZ25G
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The American Heart Association just published their alcohol recommendations today which line up with the report by the National Academies. Moderate EtOH intake, up to 7 drinks per week (1/day), is without risk (and may be beneficial for cardiovascular outcomes)
@American_Heart https://t.co/7c0IlmgZiv
Eric Topol EricTopol ( View Tweet)
Psoriatic Arthritis at Risk for Interstitial Lung Disease
A TriNetX EHR study shows that psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but not Psoriasis (PsO), patients are at increased risk for interstitial lung disease (ILD).
https://t.co/2zuxF1PY3Q. https://t.co/r28dY3T8nO
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Extract of purple sweet potato ANTHOCYANINS (PSPA) studied in CIA animal model of #RA; Rats Rx w PBO or PSPA (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) x14days. 40mg/kg dose reduced synovitis, altered gut microbiota (Akkermansia, Lactobacillus) decr RF & cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18) https://t.co/UjPFEuTU1S
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Uncontrolled pilot trial of frequency specific microcurrent treatment given to 17 pts w/ Raynaud’s & systemic sclerosis. Microcurrent Rx given for 45-60 min over 1-2d; w/ average improvement of 40% in hand function & Raynauds improvement ~18% p .016)- RCT needed!! https://t.co/4OUeODuj8Q
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Swiss Registry study of PsA outcomes when started on either TNFi (N 503) or IL-17i (n 341), latter w/ more severe PSO. IL-17i durability superior to TNFi (median 828 vs 445 d, P<.001), w/ less D/C in women (HR 0.57); but ACR 20 (14 v 33%) & ACR50 (7 v 24%) favored TNFi use https://t.co/R33bwSeB3E
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52 wk Phase 3 DBRPCT of daily anakinra (100 mg sc) vs PBO in 30 giant cell arteritis pts. At wk 16 (17 ANK vs 13 PBO) there was no significant difference in relapse rates (12% vs 23%; p = 0.63). Same at wk 52 (53% vs 49% relapse). ANK didnt reduce relapses or GC exposure https://t.co/RFkkaUchsW
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Global incidence of alopecia areata increased betw 1990 - 2021; from 20.43 million (19.77-21.09 million) in 1990 to 30.89 million in 2021 ( range of 29.95-31.82 million) - highest in USA 550/100,000. High in N.America, S.America, Southeast Asia, Australia. Lowestin Africa, Middle https://t.co/GxrZPY5NBc
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Review of Emerging Treatments for Vitiligo an immune mediated dz that affects QOL & has psychosocial impact. JAKi only ruxolitinib is FDA-approved, but Tofa & Bari show promise. Emerging therapies include simvastatin, afamelanotide, and metformin https://t.co/Rp2yYx6SyZ https://t.co/3RbDFVtJR5
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CMAJ reminds us that w/ parvovirus B19 infection, Arthropathy seen in ~60% of adolescents & adults, but the classic “slapped cheek rash” is uncommon. Symmetric, polyarticular inflamm arthralgias/itis affects PIPs, MCPS mostly. Sxs resolve w/in 3 wks. ~20% can last mos-yrs https://t.co/WXnuViSLbe
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Denosumab and Osteoporosis - A JAMA Review
An overview of denosumab use in osteoporosis (OP) by Bauer and Ensrud was published in JAMA
https://t.co/3d7Q61nVKM https://t.co/i3DjtcsuWo
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Rules on Mycophenolate Use in SLE
Dr. Diane Kamen. a rheumatologist and lupologist from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina, discusses the use of mychophenolate in the management of systemic lupus.
https://t.co/ieiUNYQbsB https://t.co/KlC0dO06tc
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Let the young know they will never find a more interesting, more instructive book than the patient himself." – Giorgio Baglivi
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Do SGLT2 and GLP-1 therapies have a role in Lupus?
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) and Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA), initially developed to lower glucose in Type 2 Diabetes, also provide cardiovascular and renal protection for patients https://t.co/JxnbgeqgOp
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SLE Treatment Landscape: Abundance or Overload?
Imagine a world where the multiple drugs in Phase 2 and 3 trials actually get approved, and we get access to them? I know you may be thinking that I am overly optimistic, but there are so many drugs in development in lupus that we https://t.co/xLgSU4ZLgP
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