Mono- and Oligo- are Different (8.18.2023)

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

COSMOS: Guselkumab's Immunologic Benefits in Psoriatic Arthritis

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The IL-23 inhibitor guselkumab was studied in active psoriatic arthritis patients in the phase 3b COSMOS trial, and shown to be clinically effective while reducing multiple effector cytokines, including those associated with the IL-23/IL-17 pathway.

Imaging Mass Cytometry to Study Lupus Nephritis

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Lupus researchers from the University of Houston are reporting the first use of the powerful imaging mass cytometry to examine the kidneys of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, as a means of diagnosing lupus nephritis in SLE patients.  LN is a severe inflammation of the kidneys and a major cause of death in lupus patients. Up to 60% of SLE patients will develop renal symptoms with 5–20% of those patients progressing to end stage kidney disease within 10 years. 

Residual Disease in Controlled Axial Spondyloarthritis

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Despite being in a state of remission or low disease activity state, in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, up to 42% may still have residual disease.

Stable Safety Outcomes with Abatacept

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The safety of abatacept was studied using patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 7 European registers, revealing safety signals on par with that previously reported with no new safety concerns. 

The Adalimumab Biosimilar Glut

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In 2023, three marketed biosimilars (Actemra, Stelara, Humira) had their patents expire, opening opportunities for multiple new biosimilars; but with competition comes a word salad of new drug names, confusion and nonsensical discounts.

Glucocorticoid Affects Weight, but not Blood Pressure in RA

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A pooled analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows that the effects of 2 years of low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can significantly increase increase body weight, but not blood pressure.

Monoarticular JIA - a Distinct Clinical Entity

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Monoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (monoJIA) is typically classified under oligoarticular JIA, but a recent study suggests it is a separate entity.

Pizza and Rheumatoid Arthritis (8.11.2023)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the wonderful wide world of Rheumatology. This week:

PRESTO Tool Predicts the Risk of Psoriatic Arthritis

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In research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, investigators developed and validated a tool called PRESTO that identif

Colchicine or Prednisone in CPPD?

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The COLCHICORT trial in patients with acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis (CPPD) demonstrated equivalent efficacy for both colchicine and prednisone, yet different safety signals were seen.

Patient Perspectives on Telemedicine Use During the Pandemic

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Research from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance included surveys and data gathering from rheumatology patients.

Steroid Tapering Called Safe in Older RA Patients

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Most rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients 65 and older who had 5 mg/day of prednisolone added to standard care were successfully weaned from the steroid without seeing substantial increases in disease activity, researchers said.

ACR Comments on US Healthcare Policy

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The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) said it has already joined with hundreds of organizations to submit 26 health policy comment letters to federal officials this year—surpassing the 24 letters the College submitted in 2022.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Review

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The Cleveland Clinic Journal has published a full-read review of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition often seen in clinic with symptoms like fibromyalgia, but is clinically diagnosed with finding sustained tachycardia upon standing without orthostatic hypotension.