RheumNow Week in Review – The Heart Attack Report (11.2.18) Save

Dr Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

1. Big news? Presented at #ACR18 as an abstract (L10) - small study of 29 primary Sjogrens syndrome pts - 8 Placebo vs 21 on Leflunomide + HCQ. At 24 weeks 1/9 PBO and 9/21 LEF/HCQ responded w/ ESSDAI improved > 3. Surprising, small, needs repeating https://t.co/xC4rA1JFIb
2. CBC: neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are significantly elevated in #RA and is as effective as CRP & ESR in correlating w/ DAS28-ESR https://t.co/K15vSHywfI https://t.co/xvqMWMqU0t
3. Nationwide Inpatient Database (2005-2014) studied 2036 SLE patients with MI (STEMI and NonSTEMI) and showed hospital outcomes (Mortality, CABG, AE, hosp stay, costs) same as non-SLE patients. https://t.co/VpOrNh1fq0
4. In contrast to RF, ACPA is not increased in HCV infection; among 271 HCV‐infected pts (no arthritis) they found 47% RF+, 1.1% ACPA+, 8.9% high‐positive RF, and 1.1% high‐positive ACPA. https://t.co/35wFgGVWcH
5. Taiwan claims data shows that among 4036 psoriasis pts with HTN followed for 5.4 yrs, there was a 28% higher risk of cardiovascular procedures and surgery (aHR 1.28; 95% CI, 1.07-1.53); moreso in PsA and with severe psoriasis. https://t.co/cgpY8s3WDs
6. Data from >50K commercial and Medicare claims in RA patients shows the risk of VTE (DVT/PE) to No different comparing pts on tofacitinib vs TNFi (HR 1.33; 95% CI, 0.78-2.24). Abst L09 #ACR18 https://t.co/dafoEcl9pD
7. Amazing Single Center study using Methotrexate (~15/wk) prophylaxis in 10 pts starting IV pegloticase for refractory gout - ALL responded; no immunogenicity, no rise in SUA. Another way of preventing interference by anti-PEG Abs. #ACR18, Abstr #1286 https://t.co/D4oWLNYaPE
8. Anti-phospholipid Antibodies and Myocardial Infarction   
9. Spotlight on Interstitial Lung Disease at ACR 2018 
10. RheumNow.Live  March 22-24, 2019 in Fort Worth Texas