Drug survival may be the best measure of efficacy and safety. A new study of novel therapy durability (survival) in patients with RA, axial spondyloarthritis, PsA, and psoriasis shows that while all these drugs are approved for said conditions, drug survival varies by condition, suggesting an ongoing need for individualized treatment.
The ACR journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology, has publish a listing of top articles in 2021 as measured by Altmetric, an online service that tracks what gets "clicked" and discussed. Interestingly, this includes 4 guidelines and 5 COVID-related papers. Many of these are included in the RheumNow 2021 Year End Review. Here's a top 20 listing (beginning with the most popular). All of these are either open, free or full access.
Analysis of a German Crohn's disease cohort finds that in patients with early Crohn’s disease (CD), spondyloarthritis was present in nearly one out of five patients and was associated with HLA-B27 positivity and a highly active CD.
Yesterday was national “Rare Disease Day” in the USA, with many tributes to the patients, doctors and researchers dedicated to these disorders. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to shout about the many rare conditions that don’t often get enough press, praise or funding.
Concerns about the long-term safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) often results in dose reduction or drug discontinuation; yet a current study shows that, for those in remission, HCQ taper/discontinuation resulted in a significantly higher rate of SLE flares.
The American College of Rheumatology and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons released a summary of their updated guideline for the Perioperative Management of Antirheumatic Medication in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Undergoing Elective Total Hip or Total Knee Arthroplasty.
A recent prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial has shown that a 2 week hold of methotrexate (MTX) following COVID-19 (Sinovac-CoronaVac) vaccination resulted in greater anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity; but there was an increase in flare rates after the second dose of vaccine.
MMWR has reported the results of the National Football Leagues (NFL) change in SARS-CoV-2 testing program that went into effect in December 2021, at the height of the Omicron variant surge, showing that among those with asymptomatic infection, only half were PCR test negative and could return to work.
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week, rheumatologic problems incited by respiratory infections, air pollution and how you live, now where you live.
Guselkumab, an IL-2319-subunit antibody, was studied in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients who had a previously inadequate response (IR) to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and after 1 year was shown to significantly improved joint and skin manifestations and physical function.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is launching two new initiatives to reduce racial disparities in lupus clinical trials: Training to Increase Minority Enrollment in Lupus Clinical Trials with CommunitY Engagement (TIMELY) and new Continuing Medical Education (CME) targeted towards dermatologists and nephrologists.
Data from the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Coronavirus Vaccine registry shows that patients with with inflammatory or noninflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease have similar adverse event rates as the general public.
The annual Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression survey has been published for 2022 and Rheumatology burnout stats have improved, now ranking 10th (middle of the pack).
MMWR has published the results of the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showing that increases in the number of social risk factors independently increases the odds of arthritis and its burden in the USA.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the joints, characterized by pain, swelling, and ultimately, if inadequately treated, joint destruction. Despite recent advances in laboratory testing and imaging, the diagnosis of RA remains a clinical one, according to experts.

