RheumNow Podcast – Listener Questions (3.12.2021) Save

Dr Jack Cush reviews the news, Journal reports, CDC guidelines and viewer questions from the last week on RheumNow.com

1. 75 RA pts on MTX >3 yrs had FIBROSCANS done to assess their value. 12 pts (16%) had Fibroscan ≥ 7.1 kPa, 3 patients w/ severe liver stiffness (9.5 to 12.5 kPa) & 1 w/ cirrhosis range scores (> 12.5 kPa). No Bx were done; LFTs were not predictive https://t.co/Pi1h1nF0Uq
2. 122 Adult onset Still's disease pts followed a median of 12 mos shows 21% with >=1 relapses. The cum relapse rate was 29% at 36 mos. Relapses increased w intensive Rx (OR 6.8) & MAS (OR 4.0). "Intensive" refers to steroids plus DMARDs - not biologics https://bit.ly/3lakfu7
3. Metanalysis of 45 studies, ∼175 000 individuals shows a significant association between pain and socioeconomic status (SES).Chronic pain was higher with low SES (OR 1.32) and medium SES level (OR 1.16)  https://bit.ly/30ChTe8
4. Matched cohort study of 142 Takayasu arteritis pts - incidence 0.8 per million/Yr. TAK had increased in All‐cause mortality (adj HR 1.88 ;1.29–2.76), ischemic heart dz, CVA, TIA, CVD, PVD - but not HTN, CHF or DM. Only ~50% were on statins or anti-Plt Rx https://t.co/rgNqkha6sq
5. Analysis of 8416 pts w/ Kawasaki disease (KD) shows older and younger children differ. <10% were under 6 mos, 78%) were 6 mos-4yrs; 11% 5 to 9 yrs. Younger KD had more incomplete KD, coronary aneurysms, while older had more delayed diagnoses, more fever https://t.co/NkSmfg38ru
6. Data Safety committee has closed recruitment to the colchicine arm in the RECOVERY trial a UK study of outcomes in COVID-19. Among 11162 enrolled pts (2178 deaths) those Rx w/ Colchicine had same 28 day mortality as usual care (20% vs. 19%) https://t.co/8gUc8LAZTp
7. COVID-19-Related Deaths in Rheumatic Disease Patients  
8. Low Anaphylaxis Risk with COVID mRNA Vaccines
9. CDC: Interim Guidance for COVID Vaccinated People 
10. Back Talk - Questions from Viewers
    • Serum sickness with COVID vaccines?
    • Treatment of LGL leukemia and RA
    • COVID vaccination while on rituximab