RheumNow Podcast – Heart, Lung & Liver (5.28.2021) Save

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

1. Virtual DDW meeting this wk reports claims data comparing IBD to IBD with RA - IBD alone vs IBD w/ RA dx w/ more depression (21% vs 84%), anxiety (20% vs 47%). IBD w/ RA had more depression (OR 7.2); anxiety (OR, 1.25;) or both (OR, 2.3) https://bit.ly/2RTuetr

2. Levamisole, an anti-helminthic vet drug, is used as a colorless, odorless, adulterant to narcotics, cocaine, fentanyl, etc. Levamisole also causes ANCA+ Vasculitis (small to medium vessels), palpable purpura, agranulocytosis https://t.co/BKoDo2iemJ https://t.co/bSl0eYn0yO

3. Italian study of 1216 rheumatic pts on DMARDs, Biologics underwent HBV testing. They found HBV in 15.7% (chronic infection: 0.4%, resolved infection: 12.6%, anti-HBc positivity alone: 2.6%). HBV reactivation occurred in 6.2%. Only 1 acute hepatitis https://t.co/WofN4rqq6p

4. Cross-sectional study RA and PFTs, shows among 2,008 cases, RA was assoc w/ increased odds of restrictive (OR 1.36) & obstructive patterns (OR 1.21) not explained by confounders like smoking. RA had lower predicted FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC https://bit.ly/34orrLK

5. Danish registry study of 1,356 psoriasis and 370 PsA pts shows increased odd of coronary disease by CT Calcium scores - psoriasis w CACS ≥ 400 OR 1.25 (1.04-1.50); PsA CACS>0 OR 1.28 (1.00-1.64). Nearly a 49% incr risk in PSO (HR 1.49) https://bit.ly/3wFzTSW

6. CV Risk Decreased with Certain DMARDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis A large prospective cohort study examined the comparative risks of CVD in patients with RA and found that, MTX, ABA & TNFi use were associated w/ a decreased risk of CV events. https://t.co/uQbtB76Hgy https://t.co/ftc5ys9C58

7. Preliminary results from 600 pt SAVE-MORE trial in severe COVID, anakinra + standard-of-care was 55% better than SOC in preventing death or respiratory failure; and improving Hosp Discharge by 4 days. Anakinra Rx 100mg/day up to 10 days https://t.co/vbpUMQjC1o

8. Tocilizumab Augmented Efficacy in COVID-19 Pneumonia with High CRP

9. Triple DMARD Therapy Bested by Biologics in Swedish Registry