The RheumNow Week in Review – Lupus in the News (7.27.18) Save

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

1. ARD reports 384 Seropositive RA patients from the IMPROVED study were followed; those who become seronegative over the first year of treatment did not have a better chance of drug-free remission https://t.co/RW8NxPmsdU
2. FDA grants orphan drug status to lenabasum (cannabinoid receptor agonist) for dermatomyositis https://t.co/moiw3jCqyi
3. Pain in DISH is usually not from DISH; Likely another cause/problem. Pts usually asymptomatic but may complain of thoracolumbar or neck stiffness. DISH is a bone-forming diathesis primarily affecting the spine, with ossification of tendons and ligaments. https://t.co/Osir0EVJ14
4. Limited data on pregnancy outcomes with tofacitinib exposure encouraging. In RA , 47 women, 44 men exposed, w/ 1 congenital defect. https://t.co/Nti7w4ZscU In UC studies 11 maternal and 14 paternal exposures w/ no congenital malformations https://t.co/qOnzopZkB3
5. Cohort of 214 criteria proven antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) pts; after excluding 85 w/ >=1 SLE feature, 8 w/ CTD, 21 w/ ANA>1/320; leaves 100 with primary APS. None developed Lupus after 12 yrs F/U, yet 28% had >3 SLICC criteria https://t.co/qIDhRb1bYt
6. According 2018 Medscape RESIDENTS Salary and debt report, Rheumatology Fellows are 2nd best paid (Allergy/Immunology 1st) making average of $66,200 - better than surgery, GI, critical care. 47% have >$200K med school debt. https://t.co/fMf0Zxuj0R
7. Among 147 SLE patients from Denmark, half (74) had lupus nephritis (LN). LN pts with reduced renal function (<70cc/min) were 6 times more likely to have coronary artery calcifications and carotid plaque. https://t.co/jT1ovQiniu
8. Study of 84 GCA & Takayasu's pts assessed w/ MRA vs PET scans showing complementary info. 60% agreement betw the two in Dz extent; 68% in Dz activity. MRA better captures disease extent, and PET scan is better suited to assess vascular activity.. https://t.co/RjtxxXAzsa
9. Lancet: Baricitinib Effective in SLE Trial 
10. Predicting Autoimmune Progression in ANA+ Patients 
11. Erectile Dysfunction in Gout  
12. Consensus Guidelines for Methotrexate in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis  
13. Latin American Clinical Practice Guidelines for Lupus