Elevated Uric Acid Is Associated With New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation
A Longitudinal Swedish study has shown that elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels has cardiovascular implications and may predict the development of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
News
Rheum Believe it Or Not (1.13.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the notable standouts in the news since the 1st of January. Surprising reports on ferritin, alcohol benefits, cannabis for pain and a lower dementia risk with hydroxychloroquine. Here are the links below.
RA Disease Activity and Alcohol Use
Despite its well known toxicities, alcohol is known to be antiinflammatory. The effects of alcohol use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is less known, but a recent study suggests that alcohol consumption was dose-dependently associated with lower disease activity and higher health-related quality of life in RA patients.
Worse Birth Outcomes in RA and SLE
A population-based retrospective cohort study patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their infants demonstrated significant adverse pregnancy outcome, particularly the infants of women with SLE.
Bimekizumab in Active Psoriatic Arthritis - BE COMPLETE study
BE COMPLETE is published, showing that bimekizumab (BMK), a selective dual inhibitor of interleukin (IL)-17F and IL-17A, results in superior improvement in both skin and joint outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients who have previously failed treatment with a tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) inhibitor.
Holes in TH17 cells release IL-1α on NLRP3 activation
EurekAlert!
Certain T cells can secrete cytokines that are normally part of the innate immune system, as researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) and an international research team discovered.
JAK Inhibitor Promising for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
MedPage Today
Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) appeared highly effective against polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in a small single-arm trial, researchers said, suggesting another potential alternative to long-term corticosteroids.
ACP Guidelines on Fracture Prevention in at-risk Adults
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has updated its 2017 recommendations on pharmacologic treatment of primary osteoporosis or low bone mass to prevent fractures in adults. The full document and guideline can be found in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Cannabis Use for Pain is Common
In states with legalized medical cannabis use, 3 in 10 persons are using cannabis to manage their pain.
2022 Memorium
Sadly, too many of our rheumatology colleagues passed on in 2022. Here is an (incomplete) list of notable brethren, mentors, do-gooders and great rheumatologists:
2022 Rheumatology Year in Review (1-6-2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the best of 2022 in Rheumatology - highlights on new drug indications, breakthrough lupus therapies, new biosimilars and the multivitamin letdown.
2022 Rheumatology Year in Review
2022 was a year of recovery, discovery, and some losses. While still dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19, rheumatologists were resilient as leaders for their patients and research in advancing rheumatologic care.
