Increased use of MRI for diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA) in the last two decades has led to earlier diagnoses and gradual incorporation of MRI into the SpA assessment toolset. In 2009, an MRI definition was added to the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for axial spondyloarthritis.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting exocrine glands with painful abscesses in intertriginous areas.

A recent report cites the frequency of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound (US) education in US residency and fellowship training programs. A 2015 survey was sent to program directors to identify cites with formal musculoskeletal ultrasound training, the components of such training and case volume.

My colleagues indulged me in a small experiment. I set before them $100 in cash and offered each of them a choice: take the $100, or flip a coin for a 50% chance to win a certain amount of money that they could specify. They would tell me the minimum amount of money I needed to offer in order to prefer the coin flip over taking the $100. What does this have to do with treat-to-target?

Pregnancy and Immune Modulating Therapies

Whether lupus activity is ameliorated by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or transplantation has been debated.  A recent report from Mexico City assessed the frequency and risks for extrarenal flare in SLE patients after renal transplant. A retrospective, case–control study studied 38 SLE cases (who experienced 50 extrarenal flares) and 50 controls seen between 1993 to 2014.

The good news: in 2015 the FDA approved a record number of new drugs (n=45). The bad news: most new drugs entering the market today have an exorbitantly high price tag.

Update on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Spondyloarthritis

A prospective cohort of RA first-degree relatives were prospectively studied for genetic and environmental factors (smoking, body mass index, education, and parity) and RA-related autoantibodies that may influence future development of inflammatory joint symptoms over a 2 year follow-up period.

The paradigm for DMARD use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) begins with DMARD monotherapy and then escalates to combination therapy with either DMARDs or a combination of conventional DMARD plus a biologic DMARD (bDMARD).  Recent data suggests equal efficacy for triple DMARD therapy when compared to methotrexate (MTX) plus a TNF inhibitor.

Recent Developments in Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis and Gout Drs. Orin Troum and Martin Bergman reviewed the literature and news from 2015 for advances in OA, OP and gout. Hydroxychloroquine has been shown to have no effect in hand OA based on a RCT in 196 patients - no significant change in pain or function (this has also been shown for inflammatory OA in the past).

Overall survival and survival free of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have both improved significantly over time in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), but the risk of relapse has not.

The Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposia launched its 9th annual conference yesterday in Maui. Highlights of this meeting will be covered by RheumNow from Wednesday 2/10 till Saturday 2/13. Rheumatoid Arthritis Year in Review Day one sessions began with the “Year in Review” by Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush. Highlights from this review included the following:

Once the clock runs out on teriparatide (TPTD or Forteo), what is the next best option?

It’s somewhat bizarre that a designer drug from over 65 years ago would become the cornerstone of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in the 21st century. When Sidney Farber designed a molecule that would interfere with folate metabolism in the middle of the 20th century, he was looking for a ubiquitous antimetabolite to treat cancer. Farber was actually quite concerned with the potential side effects of a drug that competitively inhibits folate