ACR Says the New AHCA is Insufficient for Arthritis Patients

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Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal, MBBS, MD, President of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has issued a press release condeming the insufficiencies of the newly proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA).

The RheumNow Week in Review – 17 March 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights in the news from the past week at RheumNow.com.  News on hepatitis C in RA and risk of hepatotoxicity; TNF inhibitor persistence in PsA; unnecessary injections in pre-operative OA knee patients; and a delay in the FDA decision on abaloparatide.

FDA Invites Open Commentary on Biosimilar Interchangeability

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In January 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its draft guidance on the issue of interchangeability between biosimilars and originator biologic drugs. The window for your input will close on May 18, 2017. RheumNow encourages you to participate in this exercise and express your opinion.

Drug Adherence is Problematic for All

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The March 2017 issue of the ACP Internist has reviewed the ubiquitous practice of medication adherence. 

Is a Crisis in Physician Manpower Looming?

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CNN has reported that changes in immigration policies is but one of many factors that may add to an existing doctor shortage. This and other events now begs the the question, why the federal government doesn't train more doctors in the US?

The UnderManagement of Gout

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Most physicians believe they understand and can manage gout. Yet, the number of gout patients has risen at an alarming rate and the introduction of 4 new drugs has done little to close the education gap and improve the care and outcomes of gout patients. Misuse, misunderstandings and missed opportunities abound in the wide world of gout.

EULAR Treat-to-Target Guidelines for Gout

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Treat-to-target (T2T) works when they are pragmatic and conform well to daily practice.  

Gout is an ideal therapeutic area where T2T could be and should be applied.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 10 March 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews news and highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Sign up at RheumNow.com to received daily or weekly news, blogs and tweets on all things rheumatology

European Biologic Manufacturers Issue Warnings About Biosimilar Switching

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Reuters has reported that European drugmakers have taken the tact of warning EU physician contemplating the switch from existing (originator) biologic therapy to newer, cut-rate biosimilar.  Biosimilar use is widespread outside the USA.

Oral Bacteria Driving ACPA and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The current JAMA has a perspective piece on the role of the oral microbiome in the pathogenesis and references a recent article by Konig et al on "Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans–induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)." (Citation

CDC Says 1 in 5 Have Arthritis

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In the United States, doctor-diagnosed arthritis is a common and widespread chronic condition (1,2). Arthritis is a leading cause of disability (3) and is projected to affect 78.4 million adults by 2040.

TNF Inhibitor Therapy and the Risk of Anterior Uveitis Recurrence

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The TNF inhibitor drug development trials have indirectly taught us that monoclonal antibody based TNFi was capable of retarding the recurrence of anterior uveitis (AU) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Meta-analysis Reveals Numerous Pregnancy Complications Associated with Lupus

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On the heels of the recently published EULAR recommendations for the management of pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) comes a new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Autoimmunity on pregnancy outomes in lupus.

Rheumatoid Progression Slowing Down

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Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with onset in the modern era had significantly lower baseline and annual rates of radiographic disease progression versus those with onset before 2001, researchers in England reported.

EULAR Recommendations on Reproductive Issues in Lupus and Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome

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There is a significant unmet need with regard to counseling and managing SLE and APS patients who become pregnant or who may be planning for pregnancy.

Can Marijuana Reduce Opioid Dependance?

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The Washington Post has reported on the variable laws, views and use of marijuana in treating pain.

Currently 1.4 million patients in 28 states use legal medical marijuana for a variety of medical conditions - chronic pain being one.

High Level Rheumatoid Responses to the GM-CSF inhibitor Mavrilimumab

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Despite recent advances in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), MANY patients on existent biological therapy fail to achieve remission. Therapies with novel mechanisms of actions, great efficacy and well balanced safety profile remain an unmet need.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 24 February 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com:

Abatacept Efficacy Giant Cell Arteritis

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This appears to be the year for biologic treatments in giant cell artertis (GCA).

Biosimilar Reports – February 2017

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Biosimilar reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists. Many of these items were compiled from news sources, journal articles and regulatory documents and are cited and linked within each section.