RheumNow Podcast – Bad Disease & Bad Outcomes (10.9.20)

Jack Cush, MD

Oct 08, 2020 7:35 pm

Dr. Jack Cush Reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Comparison of 34,128 COVID and 84,585 influenza pts; COVID-19 patients have been more typically been male, younger, and have fewer comorbidities and lower medication use than flu. (data from USA, South Korea, Spain) https://t.co/VUzVxFdBra
Systemic Steroids Reduce Mortality in COVID-19
Lockdown worsening; UK survey 678 patients musculoskeletal diseases pts in late April 2020 shows 53% worsening of Sx; 1/3 had clinic/hosp access probs problems & most (88%) had no probs w/ getting meds; but 44% needed others to help them get meds. https://t.co/3efmTdHhQx
Study of 193 Axial SpA pts with TNF inhibitor switching shows, using stringent outcome measures (ASDAS-ID) shows odds of responding to 2nd TNFi best w/ secondary TNFi failure (OR 7.3) or adverse events (OR 9.1), compared to primary TNFi failure. https://t.co/kpDelzBYRe
Study of 222 RA pts on MTX given anti-GMCSF (otilimab) 22·5 mg, 45 mg, 90 mg, 135 mg, 180 mg, or PBO weekly x 5 wks, then EOW. @wk 24 DAS28-CRP <2·6 5%, 16%. 19%, 14%, 14% respectively and 3% in PBO. Otilimab failed to meet primary endpoint. https://t.co/14QqyeTcuP
Hellenic registry of 385 RA pts on DMARDs finds that, compared to remission or LDAS - those in persistent moderated disease activity had 50-80% more serious adverse events. https://t.co/3JA3VaMxeO
Among 4766 mental health pts admitted for Psychosis; 19% ANA tested and only 135 had a positive ANA >=1:160. (15% of those tested). Only 4 met 2019 ACR/EULAR criteria for SLE, and 2/4 met criteria for NPSLE. NPSLE prevalence was 1.5% in ANA+ psychosis Pts. https://t.co/c5C1VQaQAI
Classic bony erosion of gout is a punched-out, lytic lesion w/ a sclerotic margin & overhanging edge -- called a G sign, rat-bite erosion or the Martel sign, named after famed U MI radiologist Dr. William Martel who 1st described this gouty erosion in 1968 https://t.co/WJJUnjnnfl
Among 406 axial SpA patients in the DESIR Cohort, smoking was associated with MRI‐SI joint after 5 years of axial SpA patients and only in blue‐collar job or low education levels; suggesting a possible role for mechanical stress axial SpA. https://t.co/fcDjesdF8K
IL-1 Inhibition Alters Arthroplasty Rates