Consensus Guidelines on Pediatric Methotrexate Use

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Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used in the treatment of pediatric inflammatory skin conditions, often for off-label indications. Consensus based recommendations were published to address 5 major subjects.

Moving Forward on RA Prevention Trials

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Now that multiple prevention clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been completed, a group of investigators have reviewed the results and published their recommendations for future trial designs and drug development to assess interventions that may alter disease development.

Conservative Treatment of Acute Vertebral Fractures

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A network meta-analysis of pain outcomes in patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) showed short-term success with calcitonin and NSAIDs in decreasing pain during activity, but long-term benefits were superior for teriparatide compared to bisphosphonates.

Does Rheumatoid Factor Influence Anti-TNF Responses in RA?

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Smolen and colleagues have published a subanalysis of the EXXELERATE study that showed while certolizumab pegol [CZP] concentrations and efficacy was unaffected by high titers of rheumatoid factor (RF), patients treated with adalimumab had a blunted response in the face of high RF titers.

Immunomodulatory Prevention of Uveitis Relapse in Behçet's

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The results of a randomised, open-label, head-to-head trial shows that adalimumab was superior to ciclosporin in preventing uveitis relapses in patients with severe Behçet's disease.

Scleroderma Raynaud's May Worsen in Summer

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Episodes of Raynaud's phenomenon, a common feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc, also known as scleroderma), were more severe not only at low temperatures, as one would expect, but also during summertime heat, a multinational study found.

Sustained Hydroxychloroquine and Cardiovascular Outcomes

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A national cohort study shows that continuous use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) protects agains cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Running with Data (8.30.2024)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com - including tips on steroids, MAS, and myositis testing.

Consumption of Alcohol and the Risk of Gout

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Alcohol is a risk factor for gout and flares. While the inciting potential differs among alcohol types, are these differences sex specific?

Diagnosing Seronegative Sjogren's Disease

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Sjögren disease (SjD) is highly prevalent, but diagnosis may be challenged if anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy are negative. A recent cohort analysis suggests a novel autoantibody profile has predictive value SSA negative SjD and also in those with a positive labial biopsy.

IV Methylprednisolone in Giant Cell Arteritis

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A retrospective study in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients suggests there is no added value using higher dose, intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in early GCA.

Antibiotics May Increase Inflammatory Arthritis Risk

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Birth Control Use in Lupus

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Published guidelines on lupus management urge that female patients plan and prepare carefully for pregnancy, and use contraceptives when it's not intended -- but these recommendations are only rarely followed, a registry study suggested.