Rheumatologists are keen to the effects of smoking (increased arthritis risk, worse outcomes, blunted DMARD responses, added cardiopulmonary risks), but often do not have the resources or plan to encourage or implement smoking cessation from the rheumatology clinic. A new study details the success of a rheumatology staff‐driven protocol, Quit Connect, to increase the rate of electronic referrals to free, state‐run tobacco quit
A survey study from the ArthritisPower PPRN or CreakyJoints database shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic patient care was substantially affected in unforeseen ways.
Data from the ArthritisPower Patient-Powered Research Network and CreakyJoints patient community were gathered by surveys of US patients with RA, PsA, AS, and SLE.
JAMA has published the real-world reporting of mRNA vaccine side effects (reactogenicity) gathered from CDC V-safe Surveillance system and shows that local and systemic reactions were often mild and transient and most commonly seen during the first day following their second dose.
Total knee replacement (TKR) in obese patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis appears to be a beneficial and cost-effective strategy for treating. The only potential limitation is a greater risk for adverse events in those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or greater.
No drug is FDA approved to manage the skin or joint complaints of systemic sclerosis (SSc); a recent metanalysis suggests that rituximab may improve skin score and disease activity indices (DAS, mRSS) while stabilizing organ involvement in SSc patients.
Dr Jack Cush reviews the news and Journal reports and takes "Back Talk" questions from viewers.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today commended leaders in the United States Senate for introducing the bipartisan Safe Step Act of 2021 (S. 464), new legislation that would place reasonable limits on insurer use of step therapy.
McInnes and colleagues have published the results of the SELECT - PsA trial in NEJM showing updacitinib (UPA) to be superior to placebo in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, with 15 mg UPA equal to adalimumab (ADA) and 30 mg UPA qd being superior to ADA.
The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology reports that younger patients with their first myocardial infarction before age 50 yrs have a higher risk of having a systemic inflammatory disease (SIDs) and higher rates all-cause mortality.
The Spondyloarthritis Advances pod presented during the RheumNow Live 2021 conference featured three speakers, including an excellent lecture by Dr. Robert Wang, ophthalmology, on HLA B27 iritis and practical tips for rheumatologists.
I interviewed Dr. Wang and below are his five best pearls for HLA B27 iritis that you need to know for your clinical practice.
Fractures of the spine and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) can both be visualized with spinal imaging; a new report shows that finding both radiographic vertebral fracture and AAC on the same lateral spine images may predict the risk of future incident major osteoporotic fracture in older men.
Does uric acid contribute to the risk of hypertension (HTN)? A recent cohort trial shows that allopurinol in young adults does not sufficiently lower blood pressure (BP).
Previous research in a small cohort of obese hypertensive kids showed that urate lowering therapy was assoaciated with control of hypertension (HTN).
This year’s coverage of psoriatic arthritis was once again, both exciting and informative. Topics included an overview of the latest therapeutic options, an excellent discussion on psoriasis specifically, and the epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis.
Serious infections occurred more frequently among patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis who were given induction therapy with cyclophosphamide compared with rituximab (Rituxan), Greek researchers found.
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, FDA Denials and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
