Pregnant women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) face significantly increased risks of cardiovascular events (CVEs). This increased risk is often attributed to ARDs, its medications or comorbidities associated with it.

In Abstract 0850, Dr. Andrea Fava from Johns Hopkins presents research on the value of urinary biomarkers as measure of intrarenal inflammation.

For over 70 years, glucocorticoids, (GC) have been a part of standard therapy in SLE. They are classically used to not only induce remission or treat an acute flare, but also as maintenance therapy. They are a valuable 'friend' if used wisely, and can become a 'foe' if used excessively.

On Nov. 28, 2024, FDA issued a safety alert regarding CAR-T cell immunotherapies; noting reports of T-cell malignancies (CAR-positive lymphoma) arising in patients treated with BCMA- or CD19-directed autologous CAR T cell immunotherapies and that if there is a risk, this only applies to currently approved BCMA-directed and CD19-directed genetically modified autologous CAR T cell immunotherapies. 

Should rheumatologists be counseling patients on cervical cancer prevention and screening?

Few people are aware of the EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in SLE published in 2022.  The recommendations had 4 overarching principles: increase awareness of elevated cardiovascular risk, need for regular cardiovascular screening, assess and manage modifiable risk factors, and patient education. During ACR 2023 Convergence, several abstracts were presented evaluating the prevalence of CV disease and exploring new tools to predict CV disease.

Early treatment with DMARDs has revolutionised the outcomes of patients with rheumatic arthritis. However, this concept has not been fully extrapolated to other autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

You can see that the JAKi/TYK2i have both approved or potential seropositive and seronegative indications. There are also improvements in PsO for the class and studies in CTDs. So, it is difficult to know which to choose.