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Treating OA Knee Effusions with Low-Dose Spironolactone
Knee effusions in osteoarthritis are estimated to occur in 44% of patients, and more than half of these are painful. Management of knee OA with effusions can be problematic given the treatment options and the high recurrence rate.
Read ArticleOpioid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Opioid use and abuse is at an all time high. Epidemiologic and public health analyses have led to greater stringency and attempts to limit use have adversely effected those with arthritis.
Read ArticleBaricitinib Benefits Refractory RA
The small molecule oral JAK inhibitor baricitinib was effective for patients with highly refractory rheumatoid arthritis, a phase III study found.
Read ArticleAntibiotics Fail to Treat Chronic Symptoms of Lyme Disease
(Reuters Health) - Twelve weeks of antibiotic therapy proved ineffective at combating the long-term symptoms seen in some people who have had Lyme disease, a new test of 280 sufferers found. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1Rs21R5)
Read ArticleMediterranean Diet Reduces Hip Fracture Risk
Eating a Mediterranean diet full of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, legumes and whole grains appears to be associated with a lower risk of hip fracture in women, although the actual risk reduction was small, according to a new study published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Read ArticleDMARDs Combo Cuts Time to First Remission in RA
A three-therapy protocol did not prove superior for achieving remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after 1 year, but the regimen did lead to a shorter time until first remission versus a step-up approach, according to an analysis of the DREAM registry.
Read ArticleIncreasing Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions in Seniors
Qato and colleagues have published in JAMA a cohort study that examined the use of both prescription and over-the-counter medications among older adults and the frequency of major drug-drug interactions. The study shows the elderly are especially at risk, and the situation is
Read ArticleFirst Head-to-Head TNF Trial Ends in a Draw
Comparative efficacy trials may be the best way to make informed treatment choices in a sea of treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent years have seen impressive head-to-head (H2H) clinical trials for RA, including AMPLE (abatacept vs.
Read ArticleFDA Approves Taltz for Psoriasis
Tuesday the FDA approved the IL-17 inhibitor, Taltz (ixekizumab) for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1py10wd)
Read ArticleThe Week in Review 18 March 2016
See the highlights from the past week that appeared on RheumNow.com, and watch Dr. Jack Cush as he reviews each of them.
Read ArticleBisphosphonate Use Falls Following FDA Warnings
In the current issue of JBMR, Kim and colleagues from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston assessed US claims data and studied the impact of three FDA drug safety warnings regarding the use of bisphosphonates.
Read ArticleAcetaminophen: No Effect in Osteoarthritis Pain or Function
A network analysis of multiple therapies used in osteoarthritis found that acetaminophen (paracetamol) does not meet the minimum standard of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Read ArticleJanuary/February 2016 Top Social Media News
In February 2016, RheumNow published 82 tweets about impactful news, research and teaching points that impact the rheumatology community. These feeds had a reach (impressions) of 80,800 with, 76 mentions, and over 2700 visits to learn on RheumNow.com.
Read ArticleSclerostin Inhibition May Worsen Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sclerostin, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation and has anti-anabolic effects on bone formation. Thus, inhibition of sclerostin is currently being studied as therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Read ArticleTNF Inhibitors Increase Perioperative Infection Risk
The use of tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFis) at the time of major surgery has been a challenge for surgeons, rheumatologists and those wishing to develop evidence-based guidelines for this clinical scenario.
Read ArticleIL-6 Inhibition Makes News
Several new interleukin-6 inhibitors made headlines this week. While none of the new IL-6 inhibitors are soon to be approved and available, these studies may redefine the role of other non-TNF biologics in the future.
Read ArticleNews Bytes
Most medical school faculty don't have time to observe third- and fourth-year medical students doing a complete medical exam? In When Medical Students Push Back, Westby Fisher, MD, FACC, offers his take on unnecessary testing and this particular issue.
Read ArticleMinimal Disease Activity Falls Short in Psoriatic Arthritis
A small cohort study has evaluated the utility of the minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria that has been advocated for use in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) studies and clinical trials.
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