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COVID 19 Updates from RheumNow

Tocilizumab Works Best in Non-Mechanical Ventilated COVID-19 Patients

JAMA has published a meta-analysis of 15 studies of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with tocilizumab and corticosteroids, showing that a clinically meaningful mortality benefit from tocilizumab (and steroids) was best seen in those not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

Downside of Holding Methotrexate with COVID-19 Vaccination

A recent prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial has shown that a 2 week hold of methotrexate (MTX) following COVID-19 (Sinovac-CoronaVac) vaccination resulted in greater anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity; but there was an increase in flare rates after the second dose of vaccine.

MMWR - NFL Study on When to Be Released if COVID(+)

MMWR has reported the results of the National Football Leagues (NFL) change in SARS-CoV-2 testing program that went into effect in December 2021, at the height of the Omicron variant surge, showing that among those with asymptomatic infection, only half were PCR test negative and could return to

Diagnostic Delay in Axial Spondyloarthritis (2.25.2022)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week, rheumatologic problems incited by respiratory infections, air pollution and how you live, now where you live.

Low COVID-19 Vaccine Risks in Rheumatic Patients

Data from the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Coronavirus Vaccine registry shows that patients with with inflammatory or noninflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease have similar adverse event rates as the general public.

Hand OA and Heroes in Rheumatology (2.11.2022)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week in RheumNow.com. Interesting reports this week about dementia, who gets hand OA and a great list of women Heroes and Pillars of Rheumatology.

Recommendations on Telemedicine in Rheumatology

The integration of Telemedicine in to rheumatologic care was ignited by pandemic restrictions in early 2020 and since the advantages and disadvantages have been debated.

An Ounce of Prevention (2.4.2022)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.  He discusses the GI side effects of IL-17 inhibitors, downstream revenues from rheumatology care and dietary prevention of gout. 

ACR Newly Revised COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance for RMD Patients

ACR

The ACR has updated its clinical guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSK). 

Summary of Guidance documents and versions

The Last Word on JAK Inhibitor Safety & 1133 Study (1.28.2022)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.  This week a trifecta of Gout reports and the last word on the ORAL Surveillance study...

MMWR: Booster Vaccine Efficacy in Immunosuppressed Patients

CDC/MMWR

For adults aged ≥18 years who received 2 doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, a third dose increased vaccine effectiveness (prevention of hospitalization) among adults without (82% to 97%) and with immunocompromising conditions (69% to 88%), with near similar efficacy.

A Guide to Self Care of (Mild) COVID19

I avoided getting infected with SARS-CoV2 for over 2 years. Now that I have it, I tried to figure out what I should do. 

Social

CDC: Nursing home residents not up to date w/COVID-19 vaccines have 30%–50% higher risk for COVID infx vs those up to date. Betw 2022-23 Those vax had COVID rate of 7.2-15.6/1000pts vs 9.5-18.8/1000 pt in those unvaccinated. https://t.co/Eem2H5AMoN https://t.co/o2ZyPVswZp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 10 months ago
UK Database 1,955 breakthrough COVID-19 infxs in 54,576 #gout pts compared to 52,468 w/o gout saw more in gout (adj HR 1.24), also w/ more #COVID hospitalizations (adj HR 1.30) & death (1.36), more so in women. Same for unvaccinated https://t.co/596KvupZxi https://t.co/BJJguQBdin
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 10 months ago
Autoimmune Dz may be assoc w/ new-onset Atrial Fibrillation, esp in women. Population-based UK Biobank found significant increases for AFib in Rheumatic fever w/o CVD (HR 1.47), Crohn’ (1.23), UC(1.17), RA (1.39), PAN (1.82), SLE (1.82), PSS (2.32) https://t.co/rpIiztUfg9 https://t.co/FWmLiZ6x1S
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 10 months ago
Should Kids w/ MIS-C get the COVID vaccine? Yes - study of 385 pt > 5 yrs w/ Hx of multisystem inflammatory syndrome showed no serious adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination. The safety profile of COVID-19 vax is same as gen population https://t.co/dr2QBQsMhE? https://t.co/WbsUuYEsez
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 10 months ago
On Wednesday 12/21 the FDA approved tocilizumab (Actemra; 8 mg/kg, 60-min IV infusion ) for hospitalized COVID-19 on steroids, supplemental O2 & req ventilation, or ECMO; 1st MAb approved for COVID-19; Prev EUA issued in June 2021 https://t.co/BswLu4ZY5O https://t.co/7gpPkeoPZ4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 11 months ago
COVID-19 Vaccine Responses in Rheumatic Disease Patients Nature Reviews Rheumatology features a review of three notable papers that address the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on people with inflammatory rheumatic disease. https://t.co/R9UM3amPRR. https://t.co/WmHyVKdsxw
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 11 months ago
During 2021–22 FLU season, 6% of hosp pedi-influenza pts had SARS-CoV-2 coinfection; these required more respiratory support. Risk of influenza death augmented by not recv vaccination (flu or covid), no antiviral Rx, comorbidities & coinfx w/COVID https://t.co/bfjeClHflW https://t.co/YTOEnNSQQN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 11 months ago
Recent CDC/MMWR report shows Paxlovid x 5days (including those w/ prior COVID or vaccination), had a 51% lower hospitalization rate within 30 days after diagnosis than those not prescribed Paxlovid. Use it irrespective of vaccination status https://t.co/CBc1VBSDFR https://t.co/EC8QGaFrb3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
1 year 11 months ago
TIME Mag - "Why Masks Still Matter". 1) COVID is still out there; 2) Influenza on the rise. Authors write "With limited yet mixed data, we would be wise to ...err on the side of masking in high risk, indoor crowded public settings..." https://t.co/l8jiTwAdZz https://t.co/0QUKJDOhjs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 years ago
Does Evusheld shield people living with rheumatic diseases? Dr. Yuz Yusof ( @Yuz6Yusof) discusses three key abstracts from #ACR22 on Evusheld findings. https://t.co/wYl6Wpd5Fs https://t.co/7T7u4czNOX
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet )
2 years ago
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