Lupus

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.

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.

For lupus, sedentary lifestyle may be a driving force of disease activity.  Today, the final day of ACR, Sarah Patterson, MD from UCSF will present oral abstract #2225 entitled “Physical Inactivity is Associated with Increased Expressi

Day two at ACR 2022 was full of great sessions on imaging, vasculitis, lupus, vasculitis, spondyloarthritis, COVID, pregnancy, microbiome, economics and more. Here are the RheumNow faculty selections for #ACRbest abstracts today:

Once in a while, I find an abstract at the ACR meeting that can potentially save lives and be implemented in practice now.   In Abstract #0939, Dr. J Patricia Dhar and colleagues shared data from a pilot study examining a new method to monitor cervical health in African American Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) using a self-sampling brush to assess cervical cytology and human papilloma virus infection.

The RheumNow faculty reporters have been scouring the meeting and online presentations to find the best abstracts from ACR22. Here are some of their choice abstracts reported today on day 1 of ACR 2022 (#ACRbest).  

Is patient-administered cervical cancer screening an option for women with SLE? Should I prescribe estrogen containing contraceptives to SLE women with APL antibodies? What complications should I be aware of in pregnant women with SLE? Here are three abstracts that provide insight.

In abstract #0327 presented during the poster session on Saturday, Dr. Ai Li Yeo and colleagues investigated the usefulness of serial anti-dsDNA testing in predicting flares among SLE patients who have persistently positive anti-dsDNA titers. 

Recently the FDA approved deucravacitinib, a highly selective TYK2 inhibitor for psoriasis. Trials are positive in psoriatic arthritis and a phase II study in SLE. What about the effects? Presentations from the ACR22 meeting may provide answers.

ACR Convergence 2022 promises to be another exciting year for research in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with multiple plenary sessions devoted to therapeutic advancements. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect!

Type I interferon (IFN) is a powerful immune activator that is present at high levels in the majority of patients with lupus, an autoimmune disease.

The pharmaceutical companies have will showcase their featured clinical trials and abstracts at ACR 2022.  These are their best studies for you to review and evaluate as part of your to-do list. In the least, you should be familiar with the names and objectives of some of these studies as they will be discussed and mentioned throughout the meeting. Abbvie

As we approach ACR22, there are many things to be excited about, especially with the reintroduction of in-person attendance. My attention this year is in research being presented in these three areas: ankylosing spondylitis; lupus management and treatment; and, subclinical RA.