ACR Convergence Preview (11.10.2023) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews this past week's news on RheumNow.com and suggests a learning plan for those wanting to consume the upcoming ACR Convergence 2023 meeting. 

1. 2023 Medscaped Female Compensation Survey asked What percentage would again chose their specialty ? Top 5 specialties rechosen: Cardiology: 82% & Dermatology: 82% Psychiatry: 81% Allergy and immunology: 80% Neurology: 79% Rheumatology: 78% https://t.co/Zy4AJzb7dn

2. Long term results of the MAINRITSAN study (Maintenance Remission w/ RTX in Systemic AAV) showed fixed-schedule RTX superior to AZA in preventing major relapses at 84mos (HR 0.38), but tailored-RTX assoc w/ incr risk of major relapse (HR 2.92) https://t.co/xLxvPCsRC9

3. Biologics, #RA and Risk of skin CA (NMSC) is complex. - RA alone is a risk for NMSC 49K study of ABA & NMSC ; - In RCTs, risk same w/ ABA & PBO - Registries & Claims data: equal w/ ABA, csDMARDs. b/tsDMARDs - Pooled obs data shows slight ABA risk https://t.co/tp6F0cJWug

4. UK biobank population study shows a bidirectional assoc. betw RA & COPD (each @ incr risk for the other). In non-COPD pts, RA increased risk of COPD (HR=1.65) & in non-RA pts, COPD had a higher risk of future RA (HR=1.67). Both mediated by inflammation https://t.co/imn4ddV7CS

5. Anakinra Effective in Systemic JIA, Irrespective of HLA-DRB1 and IL1RN Variants A prospective study of first line use anakinra in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) proved to be effective and without potentially allergic lung reactions. https://t.co/MRFwrCXIlQ

6. Good Treatment review of biologics (IL-1, IL-6) in systemic JIA (Stills) including complications of #MAS and lung disease; also info on horizon therapies like JAK inhibitors and IL-18 targeting and novel biomarkers (calgranulins, IL-18 and CXCL9) https://t.co/ACe7nDDwop

7. LANCET: Efgartigimod (neonatal Fc receptor mAb) shown effective in chronic #ITP. RCT, 205 pts with refractory ITP (Plt <30K for ~10.6 yrs) Rx w/ EFGR vs PBO. @24 wks EFGR incr Plt >50k in 22% vs. 6%). A larger RCT in progress https://t.co/uXyjYoXlyF

8. Marijuana use is on the rise, including older adults. Data presented at 2023 AHA (cardiology) meeting suggests that marijuana user have higher risk of MI & CVA; & daily marijuana users were 34% more likely to develop heart failure (in hospitalized adults) https://t.co/EnEnf6pqdr

9. Retrospective study(2016-2019) of referred newly, suspected (#RA) pts found no value in initial Xrays. Only 32/724 patients (4.4%) had RA like erosions, with Erosions leading to a Dx in only 2 pts (0.3%) & changed prognostic classification in 3 pts (0.4%) https://bit.ly/47jeAsI

10. Follow RheumNow's coverage of ACR 2023, specifically:

    • Twice Daily emails beginning Sunday 11/12/23

    • Daily Recap Panel discussion starting Sunday 11/12 at 6pm PST (9pm EST) - these will be live-streamed on our website, and our social media pages - YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

    • 50-60 day written articles from the RheumNow faculty

    • Daily Podcasts from the meeting

    • Sign up for Topic report emails (on the RheumNow registration page) - these will be sent to you every Monday

    • Next Friday - Rheumatology Roundup - an ACR23 review from Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush