Little Effect with Multimodal Treatment of CMC1 Osteoarthritis

Save

A randomized clinical trial of patients with CMC1 osteoarthritis shows modest benefits when a combination of conservative treatments (education, splinting, hand exercises, 1% diclofenac sodium gel) was used compared to education alone. While there were small to medium benefits with regard to hand function, there was no benefit in pain outcomes. 

Golimumab Effective in non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Save

The GO-AHEAD study was designed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of golimumab (GLM) in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).  After the 16-week, placebo [PBO]-controlled double-blind phase, 189/198 (95.5%) entered the long-term extension (OLE) for 36 weeks wherein G

Lupus Activity Affects Mortality

Save

Each one-unit increase on a disease activity score during the first year after enrollment into a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort was associated with a significant increased risk for death and organ damage during subsequent follow-up, researchers reported.

RheumNow Podcast – Coconspirators: RA and Lung Disease

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews and discusses more than a dozen news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.

Diagnostic Delay in Spondyloarthritis

Save

Literature review and metanalysis of many studies suggests that significant delay to diagnosis in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) exist, are longer than other rheumatic diseases and have not changed over time.

Increased Methotrexate Liver Disease in Psoriasis

Save

A Danish cohort study examined the risk of methotrexate related liver disease risk in patients with psoriasis (PsO)and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and found that compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic patients had up to a 3 fold higher risk of liver disease. 

BSRBR: Demyelinating Disease Following Anti-TNFα Therapy

Save

Analysis of patients receiving anti–tumor necrosis factor α (TNFi) therapy in the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR) shows that the risk of demyelination is rare but is marginally increased by taking TNFi therapy. 

Increased Risk of COPD in ACPA+ Pre-RA Patients

Save

The lung and its pathology is uniquely tied to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its pathogenesis.  A new study shows that elevation of anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) before diagnosis of RA increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD

New Side Effect From mRNA COVID Vaccines?

Save

Herpes zoster reactivation -- a.k.a. shingles -- following COVID-19 vaccination in six patients with comorbid autoimmune/inflammatory diseases may be a new adverse event associated with the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine, suggested a new report.

Raynaud and Microvascular Complications with New Migraine Meds

Save

A new study of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists for migraine headaches found that a small subset manifested Raynaud phenomenon and other had microvascular complications, suggesting that CGRP antagonists should be used in caution in patients with Raynauds. 

Dr. Charles Christian of HSS Honored

Save

In the current issue of Annals of Rheumatic Disease, Dr. Peggy Crow honors the life and career of one the great, historic rheumatologists of all time: Dr. Charles Christian. For those interested in the history of rheumatology, mentoring and leadership, this is a good read. For those interested in leading a truly good life, and being a real role model, this is a must read.

Broadalumab Efficacy in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Save

Broadalumab (Siliq), an anti-interleukin-17 receptor A monoclonal antibody, is currently FDA- approved for use in adults with plaque psoriasis; but a recent trial shows it to be effective in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).