RheumNow Podcast – Enough Already with Weaning (6.19.20)

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

Dexamethasone Reduces Mortality in Severe COVID

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Preliminary results released today shows dexamethasone (DEX), given to hospitalized, severly ill, COVID-19 patients, is capable of reducing mortality rates by one-third, with researchers calling this a “major breakthrough” in coronavirus management.

The results stem from a UK trial, called the RECOVERY trial, launched in March 2020, compared outcomes of around 2100 patients who were randomly assigned to DEX treatment compared with 4,300 patients not on DEX. 

Virtual EULAR 2020 Round Up

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In this week's podcast, Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush present highlights from the virtual EULAR2020 meeting held June 3-6, 2020. Featured reports include the SELECT-CHOICE study, the EXCEED trial, Avacopan in AAV, BeST mortality outcomes, BLISS-LN study, biosimilars and tofa in systemic sclerosis.

EULAR and ACR COVID19 Guidelines: Similarities Provide Reassurance

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In difficult times, it's reassuring to reflect on the similarities that bring us together. In the case of the EULAR and ACR COVID19 guidelines as discussed at #EULAR2020 by Drs.

Preventing COVID - Masks, Meters and Eyewear

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A Lancet systematic review and meta-analysis provides the basis for physical distancing and the value of making as measures to prevent infection with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19.

The analysis included 172 observational studies, no randomised controlled trials and 44 relevant comparative studies involving 25 697 patients. 

Hydroxychloroquine Postexposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 Fails

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NEJM has reported that the use of hydroxychloroquine did not prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection when used within 4 days after SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Currently for persons who are COVID exposed, the standard of care is quarantine and there is no known preventative therapy.

U.S. Air Force - Basic Measures in Basic Training to Avoid COVID-19

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In the current issue of MMWR, the CDC reports that among military personnel starting basic training, the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) may significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. NPIs advocated include screening measures, testing, administrative measures, quarantine, isolation, and source control, all as efforts to limit transmission COVID-19 in the community.

First Look at COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry

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Gianfresco et al have published the first peer-reviewed analysis of COVID-19 infected, rheumatic disease patients entered into the Rheumatology Global Alliance registry; showing that a) rheumatic disease patient can be infected with COVID-19, b) that DMARD and biologic use has no apparent effect on outcomes and c) steroid increase and TNF inhibitor decrease the odds of hospitalization.