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Lupus Linked With Greater Risk of Cardiovascular Complications of Childbirth
Pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were more prone to cardiovascular complications during delivery, and their risk seems to have increased over the past 15 years, according to national administrative data.
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Just Can’t Get Enough of Hydroxychloroquine
When it comes to hydroxychloroquine dosing, issues on efficacy, toxicity and therapeutic thresholds may affect the optimal use of this important drug.
Following are three abstracts presented during the meeting that address these topics.
ACR22 Takeaways: Pre-RA, Lupus, PsA and AS
ACR22 Convergence left us bountiful with information from all over the world. Here are a few of my personal highlights and key takeaways.
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Tyk2 Inhibition Effective in SLE
Deucravacitinib, an oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy in a phase II trial active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.
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Tight control of proteinuria in newly diagnosed lupus nephritis
Since reduced proteinuria at one year is the best predictor of improved long-term renal outcomes in lupus nephritis, is there rationale to set a tighter treatment target?
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Thresholds of Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels
Hydroxychloroquine remains the backbone of treatment for SLE, and the only drug clinically proven to decrease mortality. Optimization of usage is therefore critical in maximizing benefit and preventing harms. Hydroxychloroquine blood level testing is available in clinical practice and can help guide this management.
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Was this a Mistake? HCQ Dose Reductions per AAOS Guidelines
In the wake of the 2016 AAOS Guidelines, rheumatologists dutifully reduced the dose HCQ take by patients with SLE to some number south of 5mg/kg per day. Though I believe the ophthalmologists correctly interpreted a 2014 paper in JAMA Ophthalmology that quoted a much-higher rate of HCQ associated retinopathy than had previously been appreciated, they and subsequent guidelines published in the field of rheumatology lacked a critical piece of information: what actually happens when you do this?
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SLE: Variability in Racial Disparities in Pregnancy Outcomes
Significant disparities exist in pregnancy outcomes in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with previous cohorts identifying Black women as having a higher risk of maternal mortality compared to White women with SLE.
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ACR 2022 Appraisal, Praise & Critique (11.18.2022)
It was great to be back at an ACR annual meeting, this one in Philadelphia - Philly was great. A walking town, rich in culture, history and good places to meet and mingle.
I loved the city, but not the convention center (not easy to navigate).
Read ArticleDual target blockade may be better than one in SLE
Inhibition of B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) has revolutionised the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, outcomes of therapies within the same class (i.e. BAFF-inhibitor) when evaluated in randomised controlled trials have been inconsistent.
Read ArticleThink Before You Order: Choose Wisely
Early in medical training, we are taught diagnoses are made 90% of the time based only on the history and physical exam of the patient; laboratory tests play a minor role. When ordered, tests are used as evidence to support the diagnosis already made by the physician.
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