RheumNow Week in Review – 17 June 2016 Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports and highlights from EULAR and the last 2 weeks from RheumNow.com.

1. Tophaceous gout occurs after >10yrs.  Tophi can be found on ear helix, fingers, toes, wrists knees, olecranon Achilles & sclera https://t.co/6BlVuEgM89
2. Review: Varicella reactivation causes shingles, meningoencephalitis, myelitis, vasculopathy, CVA, GCA, CNS aneurysm https://t.co/lU10tQnxbn
3. Hand MRI done in 196 normal people were abnormal in only 72% and 78% had erosive changes. More common w/ age & in MCP2, 3, MTP1 https://t.co/z28tSlpIPV
4. FDA has issued a warning for risk of bleeding assoc. w/ OTC ASA containing Antacids (alka-seltzer, bromo-seltzer) https://t.co/UKwIQhYXDO
5. UK population study of 528,654 statin users; 1,357 new RA cases. Reduced RA risk seen only with high intensity statins (compared to low dose statin use)  https://t.co/DZGjSrzf5y
6. Allopurinol doses > 300mg/d & longer duration use assoc w/ significantly decreased risk of ESRD, acute renal failure https://t.co/h9JM2WQGKv
7. Swedish registries show lupus patients have 2 fold increased risk of cervical dysplasia & cancer https://t.co/pab1oMVboD https://t.co/3cRdEqRDEQ
8. 1/2 RA women & 1/3 men have no sexual activity & 1/3 have sexual dysfunction based on study 1298RA adults #EULAR2016 https://t.co/S5qsJh36Z5
9. Smoking and obesity reduce odds of treatment success in early RA - data from 1008 ERA in Canada. #EULAR2016 https://t.co/hpGC3jXDcp
10. CATCH study of Early RA patients shows delay in Biologic start when patients were treated with sc MTX, elderly and low DAS. OP0179 #Eular2016
11. #EULAR2016 highlight: PRAIRI study: Treatment of preclinical RA (arthralgia, +ACPA +RF) with RTX 1000 mg delays arthritis onset by >50% after 12 and 18 mos. https://t.co/EPwMc5CJbV   But remember that PRAIRI IS EXPERIMENTAL DATA & a preliminary research report!. Never give RTX to someone not meeting criteria for the Dx of RA.
12. GIACTA a landmark RCT proves that tocilizumab works in Giant cell arteritis: 52 wks of TCZ yielded more sustained remissions, better steroid tapering https://t.co/zDvRrE8hmI
13. 11 European Registries Show No Increased Risk for Invasive Melanoma with Biologics or TNF inhibitors 
14. No Increased Risk of Colitis Flares in Secukinumab Trials 
15. Parathyroidectomy Improves and Bisphosphonates Worsen Fracture Risk in Primary Hyperparathyroidism  
16. Hospitalizations Decline for Rheumatoid Arthritis, But Increase in Gout