Lung Preservation with Tocilizumab in Early Systemic Sclerosis

Save

Arthritis & Rheumatology has published the results of a subanalysis from tocilizumab (TCZ) clinical trials showing that Il-6 inhibition was associated with preservation of lung function patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc).

RheumNow Podcast – Systemic Sclerosis Pearls (2.19.2021)

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews nearly a dozen news and journal reports from the past 2 weeks on RheumNow.com, including the ACR's new COVID-19 vaccine guidance for patients with rheumatic disease.

High Risk Cancer Profiling with Inflammatory Myositis

Save

A recent metanalysis of studies suggest you may be able to use certain clinical factors to stratify cancer risk in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs).

Avacopan - Is it Really a Win for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis?

Save

The NEJM has reported the results of a study showing that avacopan, a C5a receptor inhibitor, is as effective as steroids at treating patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV).

Alveolar Hemorrhage and Mortality in Lupus

Save

Metanalysis of patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), show this to be a rare and life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), that is more apt to affect older, severe lupus patients with active infection.

Checkpoint Inhibitor Use with Pre-existing Autoimmune Disease

Save

Annals of Internal Medicine reports treating advanced melanoma with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease (AID) was as effective and safe in those with AID compared to those without AID, although severe colitis occurred more frequently among pati

RWCS Highlights - Day 4

Save

As another year at RWCS in Maui wrapped up, I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to participate remotely. Here are my day 4 #RWCS2021 pearls from the Novel Therapies Year in Review (RA, SLE, OA); novel concepts in pediatric rheumatology; and post-COVID telerheumatology sessions.

ACR and Three Societies Agree on HCQ Eye Safety

Save

Four major medical societies issued a joint statement of principles on safe use of hydroxychloroquine from the perspective of ocular toxicity.

MIRROR Study: Pegloticase With Methotrexate in Uncontrolled Gout

Save

Botson et al has reported that the combination of methotrexate (MTX) and IV pegloticase is safe and effective in patients with uncontrolled gout. This exploratory, open-label clinical trial screened 17 patients and treated 14 patients (all men, 49.3 ± 8.7 years) with IV pegloticase with MTX (15 mg/week) and folic acid (1 mg/day) 4 weeks prior to and throughout pegloticase treatment.

RWCS Highlights - Day 3

Save

Day 3 report from the 2021 RWCS meeting in Maui (and virtually) includes pearls from the PsA 2020 Year in Review; fact vs. fiction on evidence based medicine: diet and rheumatic diseases; hot topics in allergy/immunology; and pediatric rheumatology highlights.

RWCS Highlights - Day 2

Save

As I attend RWCS virtually, I am always amazed by the amount of thought that goes into preparing great talks geared toward busy clinicians. Today, I am highlighting a few more pearls that you may find interesting as well.

Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Adults

Save

NEJM has reported the results of a trial showing semaglutide once weekly plus lifestyle intervention was associated with sustained, weight loss in overweight or obese adults; such that nearly one-third lost over 20% of their body weight.

RWCS Highlights - Day 1

Save

The 2021 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium launched yesterday as a hybrid meeting. As always, this conference lends itself to data for the practical clinician. Here are my pearls about new developments in RA, checkpoint inhibitors and IV IgG taken from several sessions presented on Day 1.

ACR Promotes New COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance for Rheumatic Patients

Save

The American College of Rheumatology has published a draft guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccination in rheumatic disease and musculoskeletal disease patients, based on the efforts of the North American Task force. The document provides guidance to rheumatology providers on the use of the COVID-19 vaccine and the associated management of RMD patients around the time of vaccination. Here is a summary of the recommendations.

Synovial Tissue Signature Guiding Targeted IL-6 Therapy in RA

Save

RNA sequencing and classification of RA subsets has proven useful. RNA sequencing-based stratification of RA synovial tissue showed stronger associations with clinical responses compared with histopathological classification. Additionally, for patients with low or absent B-cell lineage expression signature in synovial tissue, tocilizumab is more effective than rituximab.