Rheumatic Diseases, Drugs and COVID-19 Guidelines
Several recent publications have focused on the risk and outcomes of rheumatic disease (RDD) and autoimmune patients who become infected with SARs-CoV-2.
News
Latest COVID-19 Numbers from CDC
Following are the latest CDC numbers for COVID-19 in the U.S., including total cases and deaths; the states with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths; and COVID-19 healthcare case numbers.
Cachexia Common in Lupus
Cachexia is an underappreciated complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, researchers reported.
Infliximab Use Near Surgery is Safe
Risk factors for perioperative infections include age, comorbidity, rheumatoid arthritis and steroids to name a few; whether concurrent use of TNF inhibitor (TNFI) therapy adds to this risk has been debated. In a study of elderly patients receiving infliximab infusions, infliximab use prior to surgery did not change the risk of post-operative infections.
DMARD Use Does Not Increase COVID Hospitalization
An observational study of patients with systemic autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) who also had COVID-19 disease shows that AIRD increased the risk of hospitalization, but that the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were not associated with hospitalization.
Secukinumab Effective in Non-Radiographic Axial SpA
The PREVENT trial was a one year, phase III study that showed significant benefits when secukinumab (SEC) was given to patients with active non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA) for 52 weeks.
ACR Applauds E/M Coding Changes, Telehealth Expansion in CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) today applauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for taking steps to appropriately value cognitive care and expand telehealth access in its CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule.
RheumNow Podcast – Why Do We Love Rheumatology Fellows? (8.7.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews why we all love our rheumatology fellows and our best advice for them stemming from these articles.
Thromboembolic Risk with Tofacitinib in RA, PsA and UC
An analysis of the tofacitinib (Xeljanz) drug development program in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ulcerative colitis suggests a low level risk for venous (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE).
Long-Term Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
The Annals of Internal Medicine reports that biannual rituximab infusions over 18 months was effective at maintaining remission in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV).
Methotrexate Not Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease
A case-controlled study shows that methotrexate (MTX) use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) according to a report in the European Respiratory Journal.
