RheumNow Podcast – Psoriatic Arthritis Without Psoriasis (7.30.2021) Save

Dr Jack Cush reviews rheumatology and COVID news from the past week on RheumNow.com.

1. Dutch study of 644 Early Psoriatic Arthritis pts shows that 17% had no psoriasis (PASI = 0), 71% had mild psoriasis (PASI < 7), 9% moderate psoriasis (7–12) and 4% had severe psoriasis (PASI > 12). PASI didnt fluctuate much in 1st year https://t.co/XW3QhJ65Oz

2. 204 pts w/ dermatomyositis/polymyositis Rx w/ IV early pulse steroids (IVMP) or IVIG. IVMP & IVMP+IVIG was assoc. w/ 56-58% incr odds of complete response. Pulse IVMP+IVIG incr risk of steroid D/C. Early IVMP/IVIG=no impact on mortality https://t.co/yRFJgos8Qq

3. Bariatric surgery result in less pain med use. UK THIN database study of 588,494 pts: the 694 w/ bariatric surgery had a 23% increased odds of no analgesic use for ≥12 mos (HR=1.23) & all-cause mortality was also lower (HR=0.46) than controls https://t.co/b90AOE7lfg

4. Claims data analysis of US Adult Medicaid patients shows and association between PTSD and increased risk of #SLE. 10K SLE compared to >100K controls. Prevalence of PTSD was significantly higher in SLE (10.74 vs 7.83 per 1000 (adj OR 2.0) https://t.co/p9F5iYENAu

5. Comparison of 1040 elderly-onset RA (EORA) and 710 non-EORA patients showed similar disease activity, DMARD choices, drug response rates and reasons for Rx discontinuation - There's no reason EORA shouldn't be treated as aggressive as all RA! https://bit.ly/3iYQNqh

6. The FDA has authorized baricitinib ALONE as treatment for COVID-19 hospitalized adults and pediatric patients requiring supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) https://t.co/WMc78GmOLU

7. Persistence of Sxs & Labs long after COVID. German study of 96 postCOVID pts followed 12 mos only 22% were Sx-free; Most had fatigue (53%), dyspnea (37%), concentration (40%), CNS (32%) & sleeping problems (26%), +ANA ≥1:160 in 44% https://t.co/L2ZzniDT18

8. Health personnel (HCP) @ long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at high risk for COVID-19. March 2021, 57% of LTCF HCPs were vaccinated. COVID-19 vax was highest in MDs (75.1%); lowest nurses (56.7%) & aides (45.6%). https://t.co/VjHutcrh26

9. CDC Reverses Stance on Masks 

10. DMARD Effects on COVID-19 Outcomes