Abbvie has announced the US Food and Drug Administration has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq or UPA) for use in adults with active ankylosing spondylitis, who have not responded or been intolerant of one or more TNF blockers. The recommended dose is 15 mg per day.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports and takes viewer questions this week.

While tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) have been shown to alter/retard X-ray outcomes in peripheral inflammatory arthritis, the inhibitor effects of TNFi on axial skeletal progression in spondylitis has been difficult to prove, owing to difficulties in study design, identifying best cohorts and a presumed slower rate of change in the spine. 

The efficacy of ultrasound guided intra-articular hip injection of corticosteroid in adult hip osteoarthritis (HOA) was shown to be effective when added to conventional current treatment. But was this a clinically meaningful outcome?

Playback now available! Watch our Tuesday Nite Rheumatology, held April 26th, 2022, which featured a Journal Club panel discussion  about two important studies.