The RheumNow Week in Review – 3 March 2017 Save

Dr. Cush reviews the highlights and news from the past week on RheumNow.com.

1. Doppler US halo sign a good predictor of GCA 92%sensitivity; 96% specificity; NPV90%; better than Bx 43% sensitive http://buff.ly/2lnew8v
2. 748 VA pts w/ RA & HCV shows ALT>100 uncommon 3.4%; slightly more w/ biologics vs DMARD(4.8% vs 2.3%), 3/4 w/in 6 mos. http://buff.ly/2mV9pJ5
3. UK hospitalized pt study shows Immune disorders (MS RA Pso SLE) may be associated w/ 30-90% increased dementia risk. https://t.co/Y5lhpitJSU
4. Arthritis pts may have higher rate of Azulfidine related hypersensitivity (8.8%) - urticaria, angioedema, pruritis. https://t.co/UyuITubKk5
5. 8/10 Nonprofit Agencies recv $$ support from drug/device industry; few publish conflicts or income sources. Hmmmm https://t.co/0f9a6HEJTz
6. There is no association between ANCA-Associated Vasculitis and preceding malignancy. https://t.co/gXqg8n6F4m
7. Sternoclavicular arthritis is septic in 7.3%; extraarticular infection, cirrhosis & cancer are(2-4fold) risk factors https://t.co/tYjGoRHDBB
8. Evidence for DMARD use (MTX, LEF, AZA, MMF) in GCA and Takayasu's arteritis is low quality, small #s but favorable. https://t.co/qUlghTdiWF
9. Just like Oral Strategy Study (MTX+Tofa > Tofa) https://t.co/ReaHXaN5gK, DREAM registry shows TNFi + MTX > TNFi. https://t.co/2GiEfW1JJYStudy of 550 RA pts shows RA assoc ILD more likely w/ age, smoking, elevated LDH and RF positivity. https://t.co/eaT2UOby2P
10. In TNFi failure RA patients Secukinumab is modestly better than PBO (~30% vs 18%) but not as good as ABAtacept (43%) https://t.co/4PltmQ5TRa
11. Computational analysis reveals 8 genes underlying an inverse relationship between schizophrenia & #RA. https://t.co/tqQlwrTtyg
12. Psychologic Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Men 
13. Ophthalmic Giant Cell Arteritis and the Risk of Stroke
14. Obesity Associated with Late-Onset Psoriatic Arthritis
15. EULAR Recommendations on Reproductive Issues in Lupus and Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome 
16. Can Marijuana Reduce Opioid Dependance?