Disability claims in the U.S. related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were just as common in 2015 as in 1999, a government researcher found, against expectations that the advent of biologic therapy would have led to a steady decrease.

Abbvie has announced the US Food and Drug Administration has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq or UPA) for use in adults with active ankylosing spondylitis, who have not responded or been intolerant of one or more TNF blockers. The recommended dose is 15 mg per day.

Interactions of the gut microbiota in humans promote the release of a variety of metabolites with profound effects on human health and immune regulation.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports and takes viewer questions this week.

While tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) have been shown to alter/retard X-ray outcomes in peripheral inflammatory arthritis, the inhibitor effects of TNFi on axial skeletal progression in spondylitis has been difficult to prove, owing to difficulties in study design, identifying best cohorts and a presumed slower rate of change in the spine. 

The efficacy of ultrasound guided intra-articular hip injection of corticosteroid in adult hip osteoarthritis (HOA) was shown to be effective when added to conventional current treatment. But was this a clinically meaningful outcome?

Playback now available! Watch our Tuesday Nite Rheumatology, held April 26th, 2022, which featured a Journal Club panel discussion  about two important studies.

When balancing all these disease domains, individual phenotypes, and comorbidities, sometimes treatment decisions can feel like tossing a coin. Fortunately, numerous guidelines have been published to help us do better than tossing a coin…or do they? 

Pain is typically ranked by both patients and physicians as the most important symptom of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to assess and treat. Although the predominant concept of the etiology of pain in PsA is that of inflammation in peripheral joints, entheses, and bone signaling through peripheral nociceptive fibers, perceived as pain in the central nervous system, it is actually more complex than that. The ability of a treatment to ameliorate

It's not a simple matter to prescribe tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), at least those with insurance, a single-center study found. Among 54 patients seen at Boston Children's Hospital for newly diagnosed JIA in 2018-2019, their insurers required prior authorization for all but one, according to researchers there led by Jordan E. Roberts, MD.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings reports the results of a retrospective, cross-sectional of patients with HFE hemochromatosis showing that advanced hepatic fibrosis is primarily seen in those with arthritis due to HFE hemochromatosis. 

Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news and recent journal reports from last weeks RheumNow.com, and answers viewer questions from #ACA - Ask Cush Anything.

Putman et al has reported vaccine survey results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (C19-GRA) in Lancet Rheumatology showing the uptake and vaccine hesitancy among people with rheumatic diseases (RMD). Survey data from 7005 vaccinated and unvaccinated, adult RMD respondents from 102 countries was analyzed.

A single dose of the monoclonal-antibody AZD7442 (combination of tixagevimab and cilgavimab) has been shown to be safe and effective as prophylaxis against COVID-19 infection in high risk individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.  Both MAbs are neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 that have and prolonged half-life of approximately 90 days.

Held on April 19, 2022, Tuesday Night Rheumatology: Controversies in PsA, featured a lively and informative panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Jack Cush. The PsA Expert panelists included: Dr. Dafna Gladman, Toronton Dr. Joseph Merola, Boston Dr. Peter Nash, Brisbane Dr. Christopher Ritchlin, Rochester Dr. Jose Scher, New York