RheumNow Podcast – Good Time Charlie…. (10.16.20) Save

Dr. Jack Cush sings the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. 

1. 259 SLE patients followed an 80% were in lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS); 82% in remission; 19% w/ active dz. 56 pst in subjective Low activity (SLQ<6) compared to SLAQ>6, latter had more arthritis, fibromyalgia and took steroids https://bit.ly/31bAspZ
2. Juvenile localized scleroderma was Rx w/ MTX or MMF (in MTX refractory) and compared retrospectively. Facial linear scler. more likely in MTX pts and MMF pts had pansclerotic morphea or mixed subtype. Outcomes were same at 9.4 yrs: inactive in 100% & 91% https://t.co/2X9SpqeLwx
3. EUSTAR study of ILD in systemic sclerosis: 826 pts with SSc-ILD finds 27% with progressive ILD (mod-severe FVC decline >5-10%) over 12 mos. Predictive factors for FVC decline over 5 yrs were male sex, higher mRSS skin score and reflux/dysphagia symptoms. https://t.co/lLd2FrMIkx
4. Observational study of 123 Spanish rheumatic dz pts w/ COVID-19, finds 54 hospitalized. Admitted pts were 69.7 yrs, and 22% died. Admission was assoc w/ older age, autoimmune dz (vs inflammatory arthritis; OR: 3.55), but not DMARD Rx. https://t.co/UWNyhOKbvF
5. Study of 196 RA pts shows lung Dz common by chest CT, regardless of serostatus. RA lung=higher mortality (HR of 5.3). RA lung dz found in 28%; 16% had ILD, 14% bronchiectasis, 9.5% w pleural dz. RA lung dz in both seropositive (29%) & seronegative (28%) https://t.co/upNX7cvlWq
6. Study of 5792 RA pts from 11 RCTs compared ACR Boolean remission with (4V) or without Pt Global scores (3V) using Xray & functional outcomes. 3V (TJC28, SJC28, CRP mg/dL<=1) was as valid as 4V-remission in predicting Xray, less so functional, outcomes https://t.co/r1azrh3SHS
7. Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis= meeting axSpA criteria without Xray sacroiliitis. Swiss study compared women & men w nr-axSpA. Women had a longer Dx delay, higher Dz activity & enthesitis, less B27+ & signif lower TNFi resp rate (OR 0.19) vs Men https://t.co/ykAHfimOd5
8. Abatacept vs. Upadacitinib in Biologic Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis
9. Thrombotic Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Disease Activity 
10. COVID Transmission from Young to Old