Periodontal Disease and P. gingivalis Increased in CCP+ Pre-Clinical RA

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A cross-sectional study 48 CCP–positive "at risk" individuals (without arthritis) were shown to have an increased prevalence of periodontitis and P gingivalis when compared to 26 early RA (ERA) and 32 controls.

New EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria for SLE

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The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have jointly developed new classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); prompted by the need for criteria that were both highly sensitive and specific. The net result is improved sensitivity and specificity, but the use of positive ANA requirement along with a longer list of weighted criteria ensures its utility in SLE research (including early or latent SLE), but not clinical practice.

War on RA - Part 3: Useless Drugs

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We have options that are endless – we have 28 biologics in rheumatology; 19 approved for RA in the last 20 years, but 15 of these are me-too copies or biosimilars. We currently have 2 JAK inhibitors and may have 3 or 4 by year end. But what we really need is the right drug, at the right time, in the right patient – but how will we know.

Are Non-TNF Biologics Superior to TNF inhibitors?

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Current ACR and EULAR guidelines list TNF-inhibitors (TNFi) abatacept, rituximab, and tocilizumab as being equally effective after methotrexate or as second line therapies when treating rheumatoid arthritis.

EULAR Recommendations on Large Vessel Vasculitis

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Th European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) was originally published in 2009. Since then there have been new randomised clinical trials and cohort analyses leading to an update the original recommendations.

Sjogren's Syndrome at Risk for Psychiatric Disorders

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A population-based claims study from Taiwan shows significantly increased incidences of depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). 

RheumNow Podcast – More Than a Spot of Tea (8.2.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal articles and news reports from the past week on RheumNow.com: MMP-7 and Myositis-ILD; Post-surgical gout attacks; CV events and testosterone; and a Boxed warning for tofacitinib.

Biologic Therapy Improves Psoriasis and Reduces CV Inflammation

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Psoriasis confers a significant risk of comorbidity, but is psoriasis associated with increased coronary inflammation and is this risk attenuated by biologic therapy? JAMA Cardiology has published a cohort study of 134 consecutive patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, showing that biologic therapy was associated with a significant decrease in coronary inflammation as assessed by perivascular fat attenuation index, a marker of coronary inflammation associated with cardiovascular outcomes. Patients not receiving biologic therapy had no change in perivascular fat attenuation index at 1 year.

TNF Inhibitor and Biologic Induced Psoriasis

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Analysis of RA patients in the German biologics register, RABBIT, shows an increased risk of psoriasis with TNF inhibitor (TNFi) compared to csDMARDs and other non-TNFi biologics. 

Top Rheumatology Centers Led by Johns Hopkins

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Medscape has reported the results of the US News & World Report's annual ranking of the best adult rheumatology hospitals nationwide has again honored Johns Hopkins Hospital, with runner up status going to the Cleveland Clinic, Hospital for Special Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Unive

Joint Surgery Rates Remain High in Psoriatic Arthritis

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The incidence rate of joint surgery among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has remained persistently high, double that of the general population, according to a new Danish cohort study.

War on RA - Part 2: It's All About You

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Part II of this series is a direct message to rheumatologists. If we’re doing such a great job in RA, then why do we need a war on RA? Why is this conflict being laid at the feet of good soldier rheumatologists, those who toil daily at winning therapeutic battles one patient at a time? The reasons are blunt and true.

Abatacept Disappoints in Systemic Sclerosis

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A 12‐month, Phase 2 trial has shown that subcutaneous abatacept was well tolerated in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), but failed to significantly change the skin outcomes as measured by the change in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS)

RheumNow Podcast – FDA Hyperactivity (7.26.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports, and FDA releases and deliberations covered this past week on RheumNow.com

Tofacitinib Gets a New Boxed Warning for Blood Clots and Death with Higher Doses

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved new warnings about an increased risk of blood clots and of death with the 10 mg twice daily dose of tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR), which is used in patients with ulcerative colitis.