Fallen Angels (1.17.2025) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com; and pays homage to colleagues who passed away in 2024.

1. Among SLE pts, males have a higher risk of infection compared to females. Males have a (6X) higher prevalence of pneumonia and women have more urinary tract infections. Retrospective study of 119 SLE pts (107 females, 12 males) https://t.co/M12G7hT340
2. SetPoint Medical has applied to FDA for pre-market approval of Vagal nerve neuroimmune modulation device to Rx mod-severe #RA, not responding to 2 biologics. Based on RESET-RA 242 pt, 12 wk RCT showing ACR20=35% vs 24% PBO resp. SAE only 1.7%. https://t.co/d8RfXBFUSS
3. VA (Veterans) study of 531 RA-ILD (among 9,701 incident RA) vs 68,852 matched controls - finds exposure to fire smoke PM2.5 assoc w/ RA-ILD/aOR 1.98 (but not RA). NOx, ozone, and PM10 assoc w/ seroneg. RA risk (aOR 1.16-1.25) . Pollution increases risk of RA & RA-ILD… https://t.co/AuG4rRtx4r
4. Network metanalysis of 9 RCTs, 3699 patients looked at small molecule Rx in #PsA. With ACR 50/70, PASI 75, & HAQ-DI @ wk 12-16, UPA was > ADA in PASI75 (RR 1.2); Deucravacitinib > Otezla at HAQ (RR −0.16) no OTHER SIGNIF differences observed https://t.co/T0eMkXrxQX
5. FDA Approves First Generic of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Victoza (liraglutide injection) to Lower Blood Sugar in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes https://t.co/1BYQFU2PsY
6. U.S. overdose deaths far outpace other countries. In 2023 US drug overdoses >100,000 for 3rd year — a >50% jump since 2019. 2022 rate=324/1 million. High rates attributed to fentanyl, polysubstance use, counterfeit pills, variance in state policies on harm reduction… https://t.co/oHtiMytdtR
7. Online, lifestyle intervention program shown to have positive long-term effects in 264 patients w/ Inflam Arthritis, OA & FM , even after 2-yrs. Prg focused on nutrition, exercise, relaxation & sleep. Signif reductions in Wt, BMI, and PRO's (pain, Am stiff, fatigue)… https://t.co/vghObYPnvW
8. Leeds study of 19 pts at-risk for RA (ACPA+ & arthralgia) finds low-diversity gut microbiome & in the 10 mos preceding the transition to RA, microbiome becomes more unstable w/ accumulation of Prevotellaceae, particularly Prevotella copri https://t.co/Va9Z0NWHj9
9. Dazukibart Effective in Adults with Dermatomyositis Lancet reports that the use of dazukibart, a selective monoclonal antibody against interferon B (IFNβ), was clinically effective in reducing disease activity in adults with active dermatomyositis (DM).… https://t.co/WwvAhPuoGV
10. Eltrombopag, a Potential New Treatment for ITP A pilot trial has shown a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag (Promacta), to be effective in connective tissue disease-related (CTD), refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). https://t.co/hYSAEKOjq5
11. BACHELOR Trial - Baricitinib in Early Polymyalgia Rheumatica 
12. In Memorium 
13. RheumNow Live 2025 - Join us Feb 8-9 in Dallas.