Dr. Jack Cush reviews new FDA decisions on sirukumab and tofacitinib as well as other news items from the past week on RheumNow.com. 

Comorbidity is a serious consequence or confounder in patients with inflammatory diseases. This has been well described in both psoriatic and rheumatoid disease.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) incur substantial morbidity and complications that may lead to hospitalizations and increased cost of lupus care. Researchers from the University Health Network in Toronto have published a review of SLE hospitalizations showing thta while comm

In March 2017, an outbreak of 41 cases of septic arthritis associated with intra-articular injections administered at an single outpatient practice occurred in New Jersey. A public health investigation identified multiple breaches of recommended infection prevention practices during the preparation and administration of PBP products. The intraarticular injections were done using fluoroscopic visualization. The CDC has reported the results of its investigation.

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

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

Streptococcus pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults; including patients with autoimmune diseases who are at particular risk.

It is well-known that patients with systemic autoimmune diseases are at risk for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) and although infrequent, it carries a high mortality. A new study shows lymphopenia and steroid use increases the risk of PJP.

Pianta, et al have published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Investigation showing that two novel autoantigens, GNS and FLNA, are highly expressed in synovium and share a sequence homology with gut microbesa; thereby providing a potential link between gut mucosal and joint immunity in rheumatoid arthritis. 

The American College of Rheumatology has partnered with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons to develop consensus-based guidelines for perioperative management of antirheumatic therapies for patients with rheumatic diseases who plan to undergo total joint replacement.

Researchers sought to describe the characteristics of patients with concurrent septic and crystal arthritis through a retrospective analysis of patients with the concomitant diagnoses between 1985-2015 at a university hospital in Spain.

Vaccinating our rheumatoid arthritis patients against influenza every year is a safety priorty. However immunosuppressive therapies pose a challenge to vaccine administration as their use can hamper vaccine immunogenicity.

Dr. Jack Cush Reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com:

Dr. Jack Cush highlights the big stories, news and articles from this week at RheumNow.com.

A population based study from Taiwan examined the frequencies of comorbidities in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and Advances in Targeted Therapies meeting in Mandelieu, France:

Tweeting this week from Advances in Targeted Therapies #ATT2017 in Mandelieu, France.

Low rates of serious infections were observed in pregnant women receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Higher rates may be seen with steroid use in pregnancy and SIE trend towards lowest with DMARD or TNFi use. 

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

In the Makonde language, “Chikungunya” translates to “that which bends up”, descriptive of the twisted posture of those infected secondary to intense joint and muscle pain experienced during the acute phase of the disease.  

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights in the news from the past week at RheumNow.com.  News on hepatitis C in RA and risk of hepatotoxicity; TNF inhibitor persistence in PsA; unnecessary injections in pre-operative OA knee patients; and a delay in the FDA decision on abaloparatide.