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Tofacitinib Efficacy in Ankylosing Spondylitis

d Jack Cush, MD

Deodhar and colleagues have published the results of a study showing that in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), oral tofacitinib was effective (versus placebo) and is safe. 

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Growing Cannabis Use in Arthritis Patients

d Jack Cush, MD

The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases reports a significant increased in cannabis use amongst arthritis patients between 2014-2019, suggesting patients are more frequently engaged in self-management of pain and the unmet need for a pain relieving, opioid-sparing alternative.

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New-Onset IBD and IL-17 Inhibitors: What Is the Risk?

d MedPage Today

Patients with inflammatory/autoimmune diseases who initiated treatment with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors did not have a higher risk for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but only after taking into account the severity of their underlying disease, French investigators reported

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FDA Approves IVIG in Dermatomyositis

d Jack Cush, MD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Octagam 10% [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], as the first and only intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) formulation to be approved for adult dermatomyositis (DM).

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Canakinumab Fails to Improve COVID-19 Survival

d Jack Cush, MD

JAMA has published the findings of trial wherein the anti–interleukin-1β antibody canakinumab (CAN) failed to improve survival in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

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While myeloperoxidase (MPO) Abs are seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), only 7–23% develop vasculitis. Study of 58 pts w/ IPF & MPO Abs - UIP most frequent ILD pattern, 13 had rheumatic dz; MPO Abs did not change survival of UIP/IPF pts https://t.co/RXXIPUBMBT https://t.co/v3KhEaefZD

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Anti- neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) Abs were elevated in 328 COVID-19 pts, 27% IgG & 60% IgM. Net Abs assoc w/ circulating NETs, impaired O2 ventilation, high D-dimers. They likely impair NET clearance and may worsen thromboinflammation. https://t.co/xRNKqKjxzS

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NEJM Image: Salt-and-Pepper Skin Changes in Systemic Sclerosis. 68yoM with skin changes of chest and back and with shortness of breath. Exam:showed “salt-and-pepper” skin changes, w/ CT evidence of lung fibrosis. https://t.co/Pz7mKUD2Yx

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A study of 7459 adults with diabetes, shows that regular bicycling is associated with a 22-32% reduction in all cause mortality and CVD mortality - with a loss of benefit to those who stop. https://t.co/wjEJXAu0zx

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In a study of 15123 RA pts >50 yrs; 1640 osteoporotic fractures occurred. Low-dose glucocorticoids (≤7.5 mg/D) was not associated with overall risk of OP Fx (adj HR 1.14) but was assoc w/ increased risk of vertebral Fx (adj HR 1.59, 1.11–2.29) https://t.co/ZJtYAAQ3KW

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EULAR guidelines rec starting prednisone dose in #PMR to be between 12.5-25mg/d. A cross sectional study of 138 pts (63M, 75F, age 73.4 yes) saw the mean starting dose to be 19.2±7.7 mg.  https://t.co/Yf3yqRRMCK

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US life expectancy dropped by 1.5 years in 2020, driven by the pandemic. https://t.co/89i333vmPv

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#VaccinationCovid DOES induce #SARS_CoV_2-specific #antibodies in #Rituximab-treated patients, after peripheral B-cells have at least partially repopulated! In addition, T cell responses (independent of B cell status) may also exert protective effects! https://t.co/E1FErHJtd3

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Daniel Aletaha DanielAletaha ( View Tweet)

Canakinumab Fails to Improve COVID-19 Survival https://t.co/ngThAgfHTq JAMA has published the findings of trial wherein the anti–interleukin-1β antibody canakinumab (CAN) failed to improve survival patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. https://t.co/pUBmt85jAC

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Metanalysis of 39 studies, 15,673 pts with nail psoriasis = 100% improvement of the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index, ixekizumab was best @ 24 wks (OR 2.98; 95% CI, 1.74-5.10), followed by TNF inhibitor (infliximab, adalimumab). https://t.co/VnhbMPYEV7

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Drugs capable of inducing drug-associated ANCA vasculitis - mirabegron (Myrbetriq), sofosbuvir (Sovaldi, antiviral), nintedanib (Ofev), hydralazine, propylthiouracil, thiamazole, minocycline, carbimazole, allopurinol, influenza vax.... https://t.co/KhK2w10hs5

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FDA delays in the analysis of Pfizers/Xeljanz Oral Surveillance Safety study has put off potential approvals for other JAKs (Lillys Oluminant in Eczema & Abbvies Rinvoq for Eczema, Psoriatic arthritis, Ank Spondylitis). The wait continues.. https://t.co/3pRp2Vnuhw

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

ICYMI: 263 RA patients with ILD were treated w/ Abatacept (ABA mono, ABA+MTX or ABA+nonMTX) - all improved their DAS28, stabilized their FVC, DLCO, Chest CT; Only difference was that steroid sparing best when ABA used in combo. https://t.co/1dGufcsRpC

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National Inpatient study (2000-2014) shows increased risk of vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in Ankylosing spondylitis (2.7%), compared to RA 0.77% & gen population 0.35%. VCF Hosp increased over time in AS, but decr in RA pts https://t.co/ugV44XJf8a

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

152 Israeli pts w/ Breakthrough COVID infx >7d after 2nd Pfizer vax; all hospitalized, 38 w/ Poor outcome & 22% (34/152) died. All were older, most males, w/ comorbidities, 40% immunocompromised; high risk w/ RTX & low anti-spike IgG titers https://t.co/x1Uuyo7qim

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