A post hoc, pooled analysis of of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials shows those received abatacept had a lower rate of Interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Australian researchers have shown that methotrexate (MTX) has another secondary, beneficial effect by significantly lowering systolic blood pressure, and contributes to its well docuented cardioprotive effecs.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease, and approximately 30%-40% of patients develop pulmonary complications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the causal relationship between the two has long been unclear.

Rheumatoid arthritis interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) represents a major therapeutic evidence void in our current treatment paradigm. RA-ILD is common, with clinically significant disease seen in 8% of patients. In the past RA-ILD was frequently under-diagnosed, leading to identification of a disproportionate volume of severe cases and subsequently inflating the mortality statistics. However, RA-ILD, particularly in the progressive pulmonary fibrosis phenotype, retains a poor prognosis. I would propose a new framework for RA-ILD treatment.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com. This week news on vaccines, safety of acetaminophen and more.

Annals of Internal Medicine has published a retrospective study of long-term routine laboratory toxicity monitoring (lt-RLTM) in patients receiving disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy showing that most very abnormal laboratory finding occur early in therapy (first 6 months) or are anticipated or only after dose escalation.

Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used DMARD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, there is significant intolerance to this drug among adult RA patients - especially at doses above 15 mg per week. 

Just one patient in six was referred for physical therapy (PT) within 15 days of being treated for knee pain at one major U.S. health system, researchers found, despite nearly universal consensus that PT should be recommended in most cases.

Sjögren syndrome is now Sjögren disease, according to recommendations stemming from the 2023 International Rome consensus for the nomenclature of Sjögren disease.