Patients often characterize certain foods as  “inflammatory” or “anti-inflammatory” as they combat their arthritis. Diet continues to be a prime issue with patients, while physicians may be indifferent to or unaware of any advantages of dietary manipulation to help manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  

Multiple patient- and disease-related factors -- including medication use -- were associated with the development of severe infections among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, a Spanish study found.

This appears to be the year for biologic treatments in giant cell artertis (GCA).A novel trial from Dr. Carol Langford and colleagues has reported the results of a 49 patient trial of newly-diagnosed or relapsing GCA where all patients were treated with abatacept 10 mg/kg IV on days 1, 15, 29, week 8, together with prednisone.

Biosimilar reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists. Many of these items were compiled from news sources, journal articles and regulatory documents and are cited and linked within each section.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's news and information from the 2017 RWCS meeting in Maui.