Featured BSR Abstracts (5.2.2024) Save

Dr. Jack Cush muses on the news, journal reports, FDA announcements and the 2024 BSR abstracts just released.

1. FDA issued a drug safety warning linking thiopurine (AZA, 6MP) use in pregnancy & a rare risk of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). ICP has been reported in pts w/ CD, UC, or SLE; however thiopurines are not FDA approved for these Dx https://t.co/XKoUdy4sAR
2. FDA has approved the adalimumab biosimilar Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm) for the 2nd time, now as a high-concentration, citrate-free formulation for injection (from Boehringer Ingelheim) https://buff.ly/3wiIEri
3. Venous thromboembolic event Risk study in 1854 SLE pts vs controls (12,107) from 1985–2015 in W Australia. VTE affected 12.8% SLE pts; 6 fold higher than controls (RR 6.6). Risk factors: aPL(aHR 4.24), serositis (2.7), nephritis (1.75), low Plts (1.65) https://t.co/efUUQzTNzK
4. Mexican study 202 #SLE pts shows 89 (45.1%) were hospitalized; their profile was they were younger, shorter Dz duration, higher disease activity scores (SLEDAI), and more damage. Hosp were for Dz activity (61%), Renal Dz, infection, drug toxicity (5.6%) https://t.co/om2R3kfpFY
5. Very late onset Lupus (>60) is less female, less arthritis/dz activity, lower dsDNA, C3, SSA, SSB and ANA but more Sjogrens & RA? Single clinic study of 845 SLE - jSLE (<18), aSLE (18-49), lSLE (50-60), and vlSLE (>60). vlSLE had lowest survival (20yrs) https://t.co/i3nQPVGYeP
6. “50% of pts with lupus nephritis are asymptomatic . You have to have a degree of kidney damage before you have proteinuria. Proteinuria does not correlate with intrarenal activity.” – Dr. A Fava #RNL2024 @rheumnow https://t.co/UOC8MZDM8N
7. Study of 234 AAV pts. 85 (36%) developed diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. Independent predictors of DAH: 1) Age [OR=1.037); 2) PLT # [OR=0.996]; 3) ESR [OR=1.028]; 4) HgB [OR=0.978]; 5) hematuria [OR=3.77] https://t.co/eKOu5PHs4R
8. In 530 #GCA pts, relapses seen in 46%; but severe relapse (ischemic/aortic events) in 3%. Severe GCA relapse pts more likely to be younger at Dx(P=0.02), w/ more limb claudication(< 0.0001), fewer GCA-related cranial Sxs (<0.0001); but not higher mortality https://t.co/qyUpepmryA
9. Danish registry study shows positive association between maternal autoimmune Dz & childhood cancer. AID assoc w/ all child CA (OR=1.25), ALL (1.52), Burkitts (2.69), CNS tumors (1.45). RA mothers AID had higher risk of all cancers (OR=2.1) https://t.co/EYHyHzOboc
10. UK Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit of 20,060 RA pts (~12k on MTX; 5K csDMARD; ~2.5K no DMARD). Serious infections (SIE) hosp rate was 3.19/100PY, death 0.1/100PY. SIE risk incr w/ age, smoking, Hi DAS28 & HAQ. 1 unit DAS28, SI risk increased by 8% https://t.co/OrNh8oYE3y
11. Methotrexate Does Not Increase ILD Risk in Dermatomyositis
12. Lower Limb Muscle Mass Influences Osteoarthritis Risk 
13. British Society of Rheumatology 2024 Abstracts