Upside Down with Tocilizumab in COVID-19
Several recent reports offer conflicting views on the potential benefits and adverse outcomes of IL-6 inhibition with tocilizumab (TCZ) therapy in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.
RheumNow Podcast – Enough Already with Weaning (6.19.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Dexamethasone Reduces Mortality in Severe COVID
Preliminary results released today shows dexamethasone (DEX), given to hospitalized, severly ill, COVID-19 patients, is capable of reducing mortality rates by 30%, with researchers calling this a “major breakthrough” in coronavirus management.
Virtual EULAR 2020 Round Up
In this week's podcast, Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush present highlights from the virtual EULAR2020 meeting held June 3-6, 2020. Featured reports include:
EULAR and ACR COVID19 Guidelines: Similarities Provide Reassurance
In difficult times, it's reassuring to reflect on the similarities that bring us together. In the case of the EULAR and ACR COVID19 guidelines as discussed at #EULAR2020 by Drs.
Preventing COVID - Masks, Meters and Eyewear
A Lancet systematic review and meta-analysis provides the basis for physical distancing and the value of making as measures to prevent infection with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19.
Hydroxychloroquine Postexposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19 Fails
NEJM has reported that the use of hydroxychloroquine did not prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection when used within 4 days after SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
Currently for persons who are COVID exposed, the standard of care is quarantine and there is no known preventative therapy.
Faith
For Jessica, an ICU nurse at Mt Sinai Morningside, 12-hour shifts were usually fast paced, challenging and productive. But all that changed mid-March when COVID-19 came to town.
U.S. Air Force - Basic Measures in Basic Training to Avoid COVID-19
In the current issue of MMWR, the CDC reports that among military personnel starting basic training, the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) may significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. NPIs advocated include screening measures, testing, administrative measures, qua
First Look at COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry
Gianfresco et al have published the first peer-reviewed analysis of COVID-19 infected, rheumatic disease patients entered into the Rheumatology Global Alliance registry; showing that a) rheumatic disease patient can be infected with COVID-19, b) that DMARD and biologic use has no apparent effect
RheumNow Podcast - Rheumatic Patients with COVID (5.29.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
TNR Grand Rounds - Cytokine Storm Syndromes
This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Randy Cron from the University of Alabama - Birmingham as he spoke and took questions on the immunology, immunopathogenesis and treatment of Cytokine Storm Syndrome, especially as they relate to COVID-19 and rheumatic disease patients.
Social
"Baseline and routine EKGS are NOT required for SLE patients just because they are on HCQ!" - Dr. HM Belmont. "The drug has been demonized due to its use in COVID patients. We don't need to hold HCQ for EMR alerts (e.g, with cipro, SSRIs, etc)." Abstr#1743 #ACR21 @rheumnow https://t.co/5Bxavo6dRg
TheDaoIndex @KDAO2011 ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
Anti-NETs antibodies in #COVID.
1️⃣ correlate➖ w/ SpO2/FiO2 ratio (IgG r=-0.17 IgM r=-0.30
2️⃣correlate➕ w/ ⬆️D-dimer (IgG r=0.33 IgM r=0.19
3️⃣ ⬆️ in pts requiring MV
In a study of 328 pts. Probably driving complement activation!
#ACR21 #Abst1430 @RheumNow https://t.co/2MCrLueTzN
Aurelie Najm @AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
Abst 1550 #acr21 @RheumNow @bryan_neel rheum pts after covid 19 vaccine: 18.9% reported SEs after the 1st dose,33.1% after 2nd dose. most frequent SEs fever, HA, fatigue & arthromyalgia. All mild&self resolved. Disease flare in 1/180 pts (0.6%) 1st dose 4/118 (3.4%) 2nd dose https://t.co/5AB5CJfYt8
Olga Petryna @DrPetryna ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
FDA Update: 3 trials showing Efficacy of Tocilizumab in COVID 19:
1. RECOVERY - lower mortality
2. EMPACTA - Less progression to mech vent or death
3. REMDACTA & COVACTA - did not meet primary endpoints (but not contradictory) FDA Metanalysis of all 4 trials #ACR21 EUA 6/21 https://t.co/9yHu87KGej
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
FDA Update session: Proven Benefit of Baricitinib in Hospitalized COVID-19 from the ACT2 and COV-BARRIER Studies, showing it does not need to be given with Remdesivir (4 mg qd maz 14days) #ACR21 https://t.co/r6crPtu3ZH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
FDA Update at #ACR21, Dr. Golding reviews the criteria for EUA - Emergency use authorization for new drugs (critically important during COVID-19) Session 8M115 https://t.co/DqmxEIdvWZ D https://t.co/6aQG8yP7RW
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
#ACR21 #Abstr1420 A study checking #COVID vaccine response in 90 #lupus pts and 20 HC:
⬇️Titres of Abs in SLE vs controls
💠Factors of poor response: On any DMARDs exc HCQ only (OR 15) and normal dsDNA
📢Important to pause DMARDs in stable SLE @RheumNow https://t.co/USovFkiCRb https://t.co/bn5CC0xRS9
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof @Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
📢#ACR21 #Abstr1421 Is #COVID19 vaccine safe and effective in #lupus? YES!! VOCOLUP study (N=1189 pts) showed:
💠~45% had a side-effect; of which 80% mild/moderate
💠Only 3% flared post💉(MSK + Fatigue); 10 required hospitalisation @RheumNow #ACRBest https://t.co/WF4aAfiX70 https://t.co/jc0HQoJymo
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof @Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
#ACR21 #Abstr1083 Do pts with Autoinflammatory disease flare differently during #COVID19? Survey of N=647 (mostly CAPS):
💠56% No change
💠Of pts who flared, 50% had low/absent fever
💠7% had COVID; mostly mild
Shielding could influence results @RheumNow https://t.co/g7VazLfiT9 https://t.co/lzaSoMEzyR
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof @Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
Dr FCardwell et al on Health Info use in SLE pts b4 and during COVID19 using an online survey
🦋#lupus specialists & fam physicians - ⬆preferred & trusted health info sources but access to them ⬇frequent during covid19
A call to action?📢
@RheumNow #ACR21 abs0880 @rheumarhyme https://t.co/1NBEAlFvHx
sheila @RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet )
2 years 5 months ago
