Lovastatin Fails to Lower CRP and Activity in RA

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Ridker and colleagues have shown that statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibitors) are effective at treating hyperlipidaemia and lowering C-reactive protein levels; Aranaow and colleagues have shown that lovastatin, when given to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with elevated CRP levels failed to significantly lower disease activity. 

Fighting Hydroxychloroquine Misinformation

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JAMA Internal Medicine has posted an Editor's note on the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19; noting the sequence of dysfunction since the president promoted its use on March 21, 2020, when he said “What do you have to lose? I’ll say it again: What do you have to lose? Take it.”.

More Rheumatology Fellow Advice from the Mentors

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If you’re looking for some great advice to consider or rebuke, here is the generous guidance of nearly two dozen leaders in rheumatology who sincerely offer you their wisdom and best wishes.

Uric Acid Targeting in Gout Management

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A study from 2 gout clinics implementing different treatment strategies has shown that a treatment strategy that aims to strictly achieve low uric acid (UA) results in a higher a rate of targetd serum UA lowering and less gout flares.

RheumNow Podcast - Top 13 Rheumatology Centers (7-31-20)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and TOP 13 list of Best Rheumatology Hospitals.

Colchicine Benefits COVID-19 Patients

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A proof-of-concept study published in Annals of Rheumatic Disease suggests that colchicine significantly improves COVID-19 outcomes. Efficacy and safety must be determined in controlled clinical trials.he outbreak of COVID-19 posed the issue of urgently identifying treatment strategies. Colchicine was considered for this purpose based on well-recognised anti-inflammatory effects and potential antiviral properties.

Methotrexate Improves Pegloticase Efficacy and Tolerability

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The efficacy of intravenous pegloticase (PEG) therapy in gout can be limited by its toxicity, but when coadministered with weekly methotrexate, higher response rates and less toxicity was observed.

The Burden of Gout

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Danve and Neogi have an editorial in the current Arthritis & Rheumatology about the burden of gout that affects 41 million adults worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (GBD 2017) also published in the same issue. This makes gout twice as prevalent as rheumatoid arthritis (19 million).  This prevalence of this most common inflammatory arthritis is undermined by numerous challenges in the diagnosis and examples of insufficient disease management. The editorial points out the magnitude of the disease and the many challenges facing rheumatologists.

Serial DEXA May Not Be Advisable

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Does repeat bone mineral density (BMD) measurement predict subsequent fracture risk in postmenopausal women?

SEMIRA Study: Best to Continue Low Dose Steroids in RA

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The SEMIRA trial studied the  tapering vs continuing oral glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who achieved a low disease activity state (with tocilizumab) were more likely to show safety and better disease control with continuing steroids - even though two-thirds of patients were able to safely taper their glucocorticoid dose.

GI Perforations with Tocilizumab Greater than Other Biologics

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A study from a Swedish population shows the real-world risk of gastrointestinal (GI) perforations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking biologics finds that the risk was greatest in RA patients taking tocilizumab (TCZ), compared with RA patient taking tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and other non-TNFi biologics.

ACR Advice on Reopening Strategies

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The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has issued a guidance document for rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals to consider as practices, business and patient care begins to reopen in this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.