RheumNow Week in Review - 8 April 2016 Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the rheumatology highlights from the news, media, and journals from this past week:

1. FDA Biosimilar Approval of Inflectra Viewed as a Milestone Advance in rheumatology and inflammatory diseases.   
2. Cardiology Anti-inflammatory Trial in post-MI patients with CV risk factors: given Losmapimod (p38MAPK inhibitor) but Fails to Improve CV Outcomes  
3. Severe Psoriasis Associated with a Renal Disease Risk
4. Treating OA Knee Effusions with Low-Dose Spironolactone: results confirmed by Ultrasound.  
5. Midlife Plateau. Dr. Ronon Kavanagh of Galway, Ireland shares his experience in self/practice improvement by hiring a coach.  
6. Magnitude of visceral fat and liver fat is independently associated with hyperuricemia. 
7. Allopurinol use in hyperuricemia 7127 pts shows significant less major CV events (11%) & all-cause mortality (32%) 
8. CPK >1000: Causes in 192 pts-55% PM/DM, 17% drugs, 3% infx, 10% trauma, 12% idiopathic, 5% MI, 4%hypoT4, 2% metabolic 
9. Mayo study shows Cutaneous LE has 3 fold higher risk of CVA & 2 fold risk of PAD; 32% 20yr risk of Cardiovascular dz 
10. Sjogrens metanalysis of 4 RCTs, 276 pts shows Rituximab had no effect on Schirmers, fatigue, ESSDAI & SF36 @ wk24.  
11. Rheumatologists New Daily Practice Rules: 1) Give Hope, 2) Set Goals, 3) Establish the Rules. Pts will leave w/ certainty, not questions