A cohort study of SLE patients shows that remission and low disease activity (LDA) are associated with less damage accrual over time. Patients from the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) inception cohort were serially assessed with different measures of remission. Damage accrual was ascertained with the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI). 

Repeat serologic testing is not uncommon, but is it warranted? A retrospective study shows that repeated testing for autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) rarely changes the result or adds a new diagnosis.  This study from a single, multicentre tertiary health network in Australia assessed the value of a repeat ENA in patients with an initial negative result.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, FDA approvals, journal articles from the past week on RheumNow; plus viewer questions. This week great hopes for vitamin D, the great unknows of CSA and the great big mess that is the gout.

The ACR has posted a new ACR Clinical Practice Guideline Summary providing recommendations on the use of vaccinations for children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). This guideline builds on past ACR vaccination guidance, last published in 2021.

Litifilimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against BDCA2, targets the BDCA2 receptor on plasmacytoid dendritic cells. When administered to patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) was shown reducing disease activity in CLE patients.