This is a reposting of an earlier report on RheumNow that includes additional commentary from Dr. Sunada Kane, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic who specializes in both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pregnancy.
Dr. Eric Ruderman: Medical marijuana and what it means to the rheumatologist
Medical marijuana use has been approved for use in 25 states and the District of Columbia, but it's still considered illegal to prescribe or dispense it due to federal law. Physicians are in an interesting clinical place. Listen to Dr. Ruderman provide a brief overview of patient interest in medical marijuana for pain management and disease treatment, what data exists in the use of marijuana for treating rheumatic diseases, and more. Location: 2016 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium
phase 3, BRIDGE study shows romosozumab (anti-sclerostin MAb) significantly increases lumbar BMD in men with osteoporosis
Statin use is associated with a 21% increased risk of skin cancer (NMSC) - data from >130K postmenopausal women (Womens Health Initiative)
Metanalysis shows RA Xray progress
In the March 15th issue of JAMA, Chavalarias and coworkers describe the evolution of the “P value” and its use in biomedical research in the last 25 years. (CItation Source http://buff.ly/22L0pG7)
A three-therapy protocol did not prove superior for achieving remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after 1 year, but the regimen did lead to a shorter time until first remission versus a step-up approach, according to an analysis of the DREAM registry.
Qato and colleagues have published in JAMA a cohort study that examined the use of both prescription and over-the-counter medications among older adults and the frequency of major drug-drug interactions. The study shows the elderly are especially at risk, and the situation is getting steadily worse.
Comparative efficacy trials may be the best way to make informed treatment choices in a sea of treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent years have seen impressive head-to-head (H2H) clinical trials for RA, including AMPLE (abatacept vs. adalimumab) and ADACTA (tocilizumab vs adalimumab).
RheumNow sadly notes that rheumatology icon and educator Dr. Evelyn Hess passed away on December 25, 2015. She leaves behind a legacy career and a legion of clinicians, teachers, researchers and leaders whom she taught and inspired.
Tuesday the FDA approved the IL-17 inhibitor, Taltz (ixekizumab) for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1py10wd)
The CDC estimates nearly 71% of adults with cardiovascular disease and 54% of adults with hypercholesterolemia use a cholesterol-lowering
medication, and that "statin" use has grown significantly in recent years. During 2003–2012, statin use has increased from 20% to 28% in adults over age 40 years.
Powell et al have published in Lancet a review of hemochromatosis; its genetics, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management. Hemochromatosis is an iron-storage disease, with genetic heterogeneity, that results in low production of the hepcidin and an increase in intestinal absorption and deposition of excess iron in parenchymal cells, ultimately leading to tissue damage and organ failure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in the last year (January 2015 to February 2016), they have identified and confirmed 116 cases of the Zika virus among US residents, with nearly all having traveled to endemic regions.
Diuretics are frequently implicated causes of hyperuricemia and gout. And there are gout variants wherein age, renal dysfunction and diuretic use may give rise to gouty attack in the hands of women with nodal osteoarthritis.
