UK investigators have shown that rheumatoid arthritis patients with bronchiectasis (BRRA) have a five-fold increased mortality compared to RA without bronchiectasis. It is unclear if serologic differences, activity measures and biomarkers may be different in this cohort. (Citation source: http://buff.ly/1M1m5sV)
Using data from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), Sparks and colleagues analyzed 119,209 women beginning in 1976. The identified 964 incident RA cases and 28,808 deaths during 36 years of prospective follow-up. This included 307 women with RA who died, 80 (26%) from cancer, 70 (23%) from CVD, and 44 (14%) were respiratory causes.
Hospital consults – “nobody goes there anymore”, and not because it’s too crowded (a quote from the late great Yogi Berra), but rather because it’s a poor investment of time and resources.
In the USA, toxoplasmosis is the second leading cause of foodborne illness–related death and hospitalization, with >300 deaths and 4000 hospitalizations each year [2]; 4800 people develop visual loss yearly secondary to the parasite. Cats, humans, and other warm-blooded animals, become hosts after being infected by ingestion of food or water contaminated by cat feces or by consumption of meat containing toxoplasma cysts.
Healio.com reports that pregnant women with APL antibodies and who took Plaquenil (HCQ or hydroxychloroquine) had better pregnancy outcomes than those who did not.
Patients in the U.S. with myositis who are positive for the anti-MDA5 autoantibody are at high risk for developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), a retrospective study found.
The FDA has denied Pfizer's application seeking an indication for Xeljanz in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Instead the FDA has issued a “Complete Response” letter, designed to spell out the specific concerns that the sponsor will need to address should they wish to pursue this indication for Xeljanz in the future.
The CDC has reported in the NEJM that dietary supplements may be associated with higher than expected rates of adverse events requiring medical evaluation in the emergency department (ED).
The American College of Physicians issued a position statement about medical clinics popping up inside of retail establishments and pharmacies. For years now I’ve schemed of starting a national chain of “Jiffy Joints”. Is it time?
The Journal of Clinical Investigation reports a potential decline in the number of medical researchers in the future.
In a commentary from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Dr. Milewicz notes the current workforce is aging and physician-scientists are working longer, yet the number of incoming researchers has declined. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1VSCBKS)
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ or Plaquenil) retinopathy is rare, but still a major concern among patients and prescribers.
In those affected the damage may be subclinical and there are examples when the retinopathy occurs on low-dose HCQ, and others with no evidence of retinopathy despite years of high dose HCQ.
This month's DSB addresses labeling changes as well as safety reports from literature, including steps to prevent major birth defects, timing and intervals between PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccines, PPIs and subacute cutaneous lupus, and FDA warnings on tramadol in children.
Safety Reports from the Literature
Nearly 2 weeks have passed since the painful launch of ICD-10 in US medical practices.
More articles on this subject have been published, attempting to allay fears, ease transition and explain the chaos that has accompanied the introduction of ICD-10. Here are some of the takeaway highlights, justifications and well-honed governent speak:
A new JAMA study shows new onset back pain treated with physical therapy yields modest short-term (3 months) improvement.
From 2003 to 2013, the percentage of nonmedical use of prescription opioids decreased among adults in the U.S., while the prevalence of prescription opioid use disorders, frequency of use, and related deaths increased, according to a study in the October 13 issue of JAMA.
