News
Arthritis - a Leading Chronic Condition Among Young Adults (18─34 Yrs)
MMWR from last week focused on chronic conditions in young adults showing they are common, costly, and major causes of death and disability. Overall arthritis ranks behind five more common chronic condition in young adults - obesity, depression, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and asthma.
Cytomegalovirus Increases Thromboembolism Risk in ANCA-associated Vasculitis
Infection may play an important role in the genesis of vasculitis and ANCA seropositivity; this report suggests that past cytomegalovirus infection may be a risk in the occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.
Less Organ Damage with Remission in SLE
A cohort study of SLE patients shows that remission and low disease activity (LDA) are associated with less damage accrual over time.
Utility of Repeat ENA Antibody Testing
Repeat serologic testing is not uncommon, but is it warranted? A retrospective study shows that repeated testing for autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) rarely changes the result or adds a new diagnosis.
Fatigue is Under-Appreciated in Psoriatic Arthritis
Patient-reported fatigue is high in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and often goes under-recognized by physicians. Fatigue importantly impacts physical functioning, work productivity, and health related quality of life (HRQoL).
Increased Mortality in Giant Cell Arteritis
A population-based study from Ontario, Canada suggests an increased mortality risk in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), according to a recent report in Arthritis Care & Research.
CDC Reviews Monkeypox
MMWR
MMWR recently reviewed the epidemiology and characteristics of U.S. monkeypox cases seen between May and July 2022.
More Bad Safety News for Xeljanz
MedPage Today
Another analysis of the mandatory postmarketing safety study for tofacitinib (Xeljanz) has confirmed what most observers expected: that rates of infection with the drug in rheumatoid arthritis are higher than with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.
JAK Inhibitors in Difficult Still’s Disease
A small retrospective study suggests that patients with difficult to treat adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) or sytemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) may respond well to JAK inhibitor (JAKi) agents - presumable by blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines, notably IL-6 and IFN.
The Great Unknowns (8.5.2022)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, FDA approvals, journal articles from the past week on RheumNow; plus viewer questions. This week great hopes for vitamin D, the great unknows of CSA and the great big mess that is the gout.
ACR Updated Guideline on Vaccinations for Rheumatic Patients
The ACR has posted a new ACR Clinical Practice Guideline Summary providing recommendations on the use of vaccinations for children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
