New-Onset IBD and IL-17 Inhibitors: What Is the Risk?

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Patients with inflammatory/autoimmune diseases who initiated treatment with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors did not have a higher risk for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but only after taking into account the severity of their underlying disease, French investigators reported

FDA Approves IVIG in Dermatomyositis

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Octagam 10% [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], as the first and only intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) formulation to be approved for adult dermatomyositis (DM).

Canakinumab Fails to Improve COVID-19 Survival

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JAMA has published the findings of trial wherein the anti–interleukin-1β antibody canakinumab (CAN) failed to improve survival in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

ACR/Vasculitis Foundation Guideline for Giant Cell Arteritis and Takayasu Arteritis

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The ACR and the Vasculitis Foundation have published their evidence-based recommendations and expert guidance for the management of GCA and Takayasu arteritis. These recommendations address a variety of clinical questions and scenarios including diagnostic testing, imaging, treatments, and surgical interventions. Recommendations for GCA and TAK include support for the use of glucocorticoid-sparing immunosuppressive agents and the use of imaging to identify large vessel involvement. Recommendations for TAK include the use of glucocorticoids as initial therapy.

Impact of Nail Psoriasis on Psoriatic Arthritis

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Mease and colleagues have shown that psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with nail involvement have worse disease and outcomes than those without nail psoriasis.

RheumNow Podcast – What Not to Do (7.16.2021)

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

Osteonecrosis in Lupus

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A single center analysis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients found symptomatic osteonecrosis (ON) in nearly 10%.

Arthritis as a Harbinger of Pediatric Cancer

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Lancet Rheumatology has published a cohort analysis showing that a small but significant subset of children presenting with arthralgia or arthritis may have a pediatric malignancy.

ACR/Vasculitis Foundation 2021 Guidelines for ANCA–Associated Vasculitis

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Chung et al have published the 2021 treatment guielines for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. These guidelines are put forth by the ACR and the Vasculitis Foundation as benchmark guidance to assist health care professionals in managing AAV.  

Slow Steroid Tapering Succeeds in SLE

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Gradual withdrawal of glucocorticoids was successful among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after 2 years of clinically quiescent disease, without an increased likelihood of flares, Canadian researchers reported.

Potential Birth Defects with Hydroxychloroquine

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Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is one of the safest meds used in rheumatology, but there is new claims data suggesting a small increase in the risk of malformations associated with first-trimester HCQ use.

Is Pre-Clinical Spondyloarthritis a Real Risk?

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A study of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of HLA-B27-positive axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients shows clinical or imaging features of spondyloarthritis in up to 32% subjects, regardless of HLA-B27 status.