Sjögren's Graduates (8.22.2025) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports, FDA approvals, drug safety, and more from this week.

1. FDA Approves 1st new Fibromyalgia drug in 15 yrs - Tonmya (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual) as treatment of fibromyalgia in adults. Based on 2 phase 3 trials and 1400+ pts. Dose 2.8 mg tabs 1-2 SL qhs (peak concentration 4.3 hours; t1/2 life = 36 hrs, longer w/ elderly, liver dz) https://t.co/8DVRet5sjU
2. Rapid rituximab infusions are safe & efficient. Metanalysis of 7 RCTs, 538 pts w/ autoimmune/rheumatic dz, showed infusions(RTX 1000 mg) of 90-120 min (w/ premedication) had low risk (3-15%) of mild (Grades 1, 2) infusion Rxns; only 6 Grade 3 Rxns https://buff.ly/vJHJbip
3. Claims data study of 82 399 PsA pts - 542 on combo targeted Rx >3 mos (200 > 6mos). 2 most common combos of apremilast w/ TNFi or IL-17i. Use of combo targeted Tx was not assoc. w/ more serious infxn (RRs 0.53; 0.17-1.63) or opportunistic infx (RR 1.00; 0.09-11.02) @ 3 or 6 mos https://t.co/mkvq1lqt9Y
4. JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/G29CvZ6aux
5. Uncertainty with immunosuppressive for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies A current Cochrane review suggests a continued unmet need regarding the status and utility of targeted immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory treatments for IIM. https://t.co/evkwbX6U9j
6. RCT of 2331 chronic MSK pain pts showed that telehealth Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (health coach) superior to self-care (Pain trainer) or usual care at achieving a >30% reduction in pain (32% vs 26.6% vs 20.8% respectively) & benefits were sustained at 12 months. https://t.co/a69zPsJslH
7. The global autoimmune disease treatment market was valued at $7 billion USD in 2024 and is expected to rise to ~$11 billion by 2030 and reach $12.6 billion by 2032 https://t.co/C5IQ0hUvQE
8. Gout Education Card for Patients - - Info & Rules #1 Diagnosis & Management #2 https://t.co/uppST8OBLZ
9. TNF Inhibitors in Takayasu's Arteritis A large, retrospective, multicenter study demonstrated the efficacy of intravenous infliximab and subcutaneous adalimumab in patients with Takayasu arteritis. https://t.co/lJbvaYnylO
10. Cohort study of 1,553 Biologic or JAKi Rx IBD (Crohns; UC) pts (SpA excluded) found 106 (6.8%) w/ MSK Sxs & 30 (1.9%) later Dx w/ SpA (20: axial, 10: peripheral) after median F/U 5.2 yrs. SpA risk factors: partial Mayo UC (HR 1.57) & HLA-B27 positivity (HR 3.70) https://t.co/WgLLUjlLMk
11. JAMA overview of Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - affects 1 billion worldwide. Treatment options: Positive Airway Pressure, Oral Appliance, Positional Therapy, Weight Loss, upper airway surgery. https://t.co/imrdsLAocG
12. It's now called Sjögren Disease! 
13. Cardiovascular Sequelae in Adults After Kawasaki Disease