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Baricitinib Approved in the EU for Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis
The European Commission has approved Eli Lilly's rheumatoid arthritis drug Olumiant (baricitinib) for use in Europe for RA patients with moderate-to-severe active disease in adults who have not responded one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Read ArticleCrohn's Arthritis Linked to E. Coli Infection
Articular manifestations of Crohn's disease affects a significant number of patients with either oligoarticular or RA-like polyarthritis or spondyloarthritis.
Read ArticleCytoplasmic Autoantibodies in the Anti-Synthetase Syndrome
Patients known to be autoantibody positive (e.g., anti- Jo1) for the anti-synthetase syndrome were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) for other reactivities, showing antinuclear staining (ANA) or cytoplasmic staining (Anti-Cyt Ab+).
Read ArticleNovel Peripheral Helper T Cells in RA
US and UK researchers have identified a unique subset of helper T-cells called ‘peripheral helper’ T-cells in the synoviums that may be linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Read ArticleCurbside Consults - January 2017
Curbside Consults are cases submitted by our rheumatology colleagues as challenging therapeutic or safety issues. Answers are based on experience, with added evidence from the medical literature and published guidelines.
Read ArticleEfficacy of Pneumococcal Vaccine in RA Patients
Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in RA patients and thus vaccinating against preventable infections is a top priority for rheumatologists.
Read ArticleComplement Driven Vasculopathy Underlies Neuropsychiatric Lupus
Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is a diagnostic challenge as its clinical manifestations are protean and the pathophysiology is poorly understood.
Read ArticleC5a and Neutrophils as Early Mediators in Inflammatory Arthritis
Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have studied the initial steps in an animal model of inflammatory arthritis and found that complement C5a is critical to neutrophils migration into joints.
Read ArticleThe RheumNow Week in Review – 20 January 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.
Read ArticleTREG Innovators Win the Crafoord Prize
The 2017 Crafoord Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has been awarded to a Japanese scientists and two American scientists for their discovery and research on T regulatory cells (TRegs).
Read ArticleA Link Between Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Research from Johns Hopkins reports that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with periodontitis exhibited patterns of autoantigen hypercitrullination similar to that seen in RA. Results published in Science Translational Medicine showed that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans can produce hypercitrullination of patient neutrophils, indicating its possible role in triggering RA. (Citation source: http://buff.ly/2hZTBG8)
Read ArticleRandom Drug Levels and Anti-Drug Antibodies Predict Rheumatoid Outcomes
Researchers from Manchester, UK have reported the results of their BRAGGSS study showing that certolizumab (CZP) random drug levels and anti-drug antibody (ADAbs) levels can predict optimal outcomes in CZP treated rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Read ArticleDiffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: Results of the SCOT Trial
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is one of the most difficult autoimmune diseases to treat. In case of major organ involvement (lung, kidney), prognosis is poor and treatment options are limited.
Read ArticleMaintenance of Remission in ANCA-vasculitis: MAINRITSAN study.
It is well known that ANCA-associated vasculitides can be hard to control and relapses are common. The choice of maintenance therapy is rather limited and therapies are not always effective.
Read ArticleEpilepsy is More Likely in Offspring for Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis
The offspring of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be at greater risk for the development of epilepsy, according to a recent report in the journal Neurology, suggesting that epileptogenic triggers may begin during pregnancy and may be wors
Read ArticleDiffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: Results of the SCOT Trial
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is one of the most difficult autoimmune diseases to treat. In case of major organ involvement (lung, kidney), prognosis is poor and treatment options are limited.
Read ArticleMaintenance of Remission in ANCA-vasculitis: MAINRITSAN study.
It is well known that ANCA-associated vasculitides can be hard to control and relapses are common. The choice of maintenance therapy is rather limited and therapies are not always effective.
Read ArticleSPIRIT P1 Study - Ixekinumab Sustains Efficacy at 52 Weeks in Psoriatic Arthritis
Ixekinumab (IXE) is an IGG4 monoclonal antibody bindings with high affinity to IL -17A. Currently marketed at Taltz and approved for use in chronic plaque psoriasis, the agent is also being developed for use in psoriatic arthritis.
Read Article10 Tips for Immunization in Practice
Dr. Jerome Greenberg from UCLA has published 10 tips and pearls (based on years of teaching and experience) on immunizations in an out-patient practice:
Read ArticleFlu Shot for Egg-Allergic Patients – What to Do?
Flu season is upon us. While we try our best to vaccinate as many patients as possible, at times it can be challenging for reasons ranging from patient’s perceptions that the vaccine gives them the flu to others stating they are allergic to vaccine components.
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