Biosimilar Slow Growth in USA

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A recent Forbes article, "Biosimilars Are Making Inroads In U.S., But It’s Still A Bumpy Ride", reviews the current state and reasons for slowish uptake of these significant cost-savings alternatives to biologic therapy in treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. The following are takeaway bullets from this informative article.

Gut microbiome changes linked to onset of RA

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Changes in the make-up of the gut microbiome are linked to the onset of clinically evident rheumatoid arthritis in those at risk of the disease because of genetic, environmental, or immunological factors, suggests research published online in the 

Genes Linking Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease affecting an estimated 17 million people worldwide. The disease is caused by immune cells attacking the joints and can result in pain, swelling, and damage to the cartilage and bone.

COVID-19 and Long-Term Risk of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disorders

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A Korean population based study found that people infected with COVID-19, especially severe COVID-19, had an increased risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders.

Long Covid Defined

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The National Academy of Medicine and New England Journal of Medicine have published a comprehensive definition of "long COVID".

Advances in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis

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Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive liver disease caused by immune system dysregulation that targets the liver. If untreated, AIH can lead to severe complications, including cirrhosis and liver failure. 

EULAR Review of Lifestyle Improvements for Rheumatic Patients

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A EULAR taskforce has evaluated the effect of lifestyle behaviors in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and concluded that there is moderate evidence for a small benefit for certain dietary components, but overall, high-level evidence regarding dietary exposures on outcomes in RMDs is lacking.

Weight Loss Drugs and the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass

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A recent commentary published in The Lancet journal highlights the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use o

A Keto Diet for Autoimmune Disorders?

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Scientists have long suspected the keto diet might be able to calm an overactive immune system and help some people with diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Now, they have reason to believe it could be true.

Virtual Yoga Effective in Chronic Low Back Pain

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A randomized trial of 140 adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) demonstrated that virtual yoga instruction resulted in significant improvements in CLBP patients compared to the wait-list control group. 

Happy Diwali (11.1.2024)

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

Iberdomide Efficacy in Cutaneous Lupus

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Iberdomide, a cereblon modulator that promotes degradation of transcription factors Ikaros and Aiolos, has been shown in a phase 2 trial to improve outcomes in subacute and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).

Should They Put Off Hip Replacement Surgery?

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The NEJM reports what should be obvious to rheumatologists: that older adults with severe hip osteoarthritis should opt for total hip replacement (THR) over conservative exercise measures as THR yields a clinically important improvement in pain and function.

GLP-1 Inhibitor Reduces Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

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Semaglutide (Wegovy) reduced pain and improved physical function in patients with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, a randomized trial showed.

Medscape 2024 Medical Student Experience Survey

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Medscape has published a survey overview of US Medical Student impressions and experiences, satisfaction, what they think of their education and how prepared are they for the USMLE (boards) and residency.

SGLT2 Inhibitor Protective Effects in Lupus

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) outcomes were assessed based on whether they received sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), in the setting of comorbid type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Filgotinib Efficacy and Safety - 3 Years Later

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Filgotinib, the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) oral drug that never made it to the U.S. market but is sold across Europe, Great Britain, and Japan, remained effective for 3 years for most registration trial participants who continued in a long-term extension study, researchers said.

Swapping is Better than Cycling in Psoriatic Arthritis

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A real-world cohort study suggests that psoriatic arthritis failing to respond to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) may do better if they subsequently swap to an IL-17 inhibitor, rather than cycling to another TNFi.