PCR: Prevalence, Cost, & Risk (6.27.2025)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from last week on RheumNow.com

  1. Aortic aneurysms w/ GCA. TriNetX study of 7,294 Bx-proven GCA vs 265,948 controls w/ tension HA. GCA had signif higher 5-yr risk of aortic aneurysms (3.59%; aHR 1.98), including thoracic thoracoabdominal & abdominal. Carotid A stenosis also incr in GCA (aHR 1.59) https://buff.ly/k7xHZ4Q
  2. Prospective KORAIL study of 138 RA pts w/ ILD on chest CT -60% had UIP ILD. After F/U of 2.9 yrs, 35% had RA-ILD progression. Baseline predictors of progression = UIP, ILD >10 %, DLCO %, pred, CCP+, KL-6 levels, RA Dz activity. Useful to ID high-risk RA-ILD pts. https://buff.ly/AZOOxCs
  3. Using Veterans Affairs data (2006 - 2020) on RA-ILD patients, a target emulation trial showed no difference in mortality or respiratory hospitalization comparing RA-ILD Rx w/ either RTX, abatacept, tocilizumab, tofacitinib. Does this mean? they Dont Work or the Do Work? https://t.co/MkQmKsE3WQ
  4. Korean Health claims data study of 35,133 newly Dx, seropositive #RA pts (2011 to 2020) & 1,386 (3.9%) were Dx w/ new-onset stroke (CVA). Signif. lower risk of CVA w/ SSZ (aOR: 0.79) or HCQ (aOR: 0.83), but Increased risk w/ glucocorticoids (aOR: 1.71) & tocilizumab (aOR: 3.47) https://t.co/rPaj6cH74K
  5. UK study of 17472 newly Dx #RA pts (10997 MTX, 4,540 csDMARDs; 13680 steroids-CS) w/ 1307 Serious Infx (SI) (3/100PY) & 311 SI deaths. MTX signif decr. SI (adj HR 0.72) & CS no effect HR 0.99. SI assoc w/ age, smoker, comorbidity, seropositive, high DAS28. 1 DAS unit incr SI https://t.co/Zmsuaf7Rw3
  6. Rheumatoid arthritis incidence has risen to 17.9 million people globally -13.2% increase from 1990-2021. Fewer people are dying from RA, but disability-adjusted life Yrs have doubled. high sociodemographic index bore the heaviest burden. Smoking control policies is forecasted to https://t.co/YmWcinVdmE
  7. Global burden of dz study - UN statistics show post-Menopausal women (PMW) are 20% of all women in 2021 (vs 13.7% 1990). From 1990 to 2021, the prevalence of MSK Dz in PMW significantly risen, especially for RA, OA, and gout. https://t.co/HdkopkxLdv
  8. post hoc MRI study from Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) of 210 knee OA pts (mean age 64) Rx w/ either IA corticosteroids or hyaluronate (HA). Both reduced pain post-injx (WOMAC -5.2 CS & -2.1 HA), CS had worse progression (cartilage, BM lesions, meniscus) vs controls & HA https://t.co/pbb1ePXob1
  9. By March 2025, the FDA has approved 71 biosimilars (15 interchangeable). The US & EU biosimilars markets spent $22.58 billion in 2024 & is projected to increase by 25% to $171.79 billion by 2033 https://t.co/fsqGTzWuhC
  10. Increasing costs of biologics. X-sectional study of 76 781 psoriasis pts on biologics (TNFi, IL12/23, IL-17i, IL-23i) saw annual treatment cost increase from $21 236 in 2007 to $47 125 in 2021. AVG cost could have been 44% lower if lowest-cost Rx in same class was used https://t.co/IOaK75zsgg
  11. EMA has published a concept paper about the need for guidance to inform the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc) treatments. They have identified study designs & endpoints; exploratory and confirmatory trials, and assessments of safety and efficacy. See draft here: https://t.co/WADBrw2uXe
  12. SCLERODERMA Pt education page from JAMA Dermatology https://t.co/hILqCeUnE2
  13. Secukinumab & Uveitis = Unclear? Post hoc study of 11 SEC RCTs finds lower uveitis risk in AxSpA (N 1980; SEC 150 1.29/100PYs vs 1.72/100PY in PBO), but not in PsA (N 2453; SEC 300 0.71/100PY vs  zero w/ placebo) https://t.co/Gv9HheBU7l
  14. HLA-B27 Testing in Practice
  15. A Review of Intracranial GCA
  16. Join Drs. John J. Cush and Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh for the EULAR Rheumatology RoundUp. Tune in live on X-Live, Facebook Live, or YouTube Live for https://t.co/fcrWbwOLTx

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The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject
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