CV Risks Raised in Myopathies

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Patients with the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) dermatomyositis and polymyositis are at increased risk for cardiovascular events, with risks similar to what has been documented for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), during the first 5 years after diagnosis, U.K. researchers reported.

Liver Abnormalities in Psoriatic Arthritis

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A new report in the Journal of Rheumatology shows that liver abnormalities are common in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and may be associated with obesity, more severe disease and select therapies.

Premature Atherosclerosis in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

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The VITAL study is a VA registry that has shown that both systemic lupus erythematosus  (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients carry higher odds of both premature and extremely premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its consequences.

COVID's Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

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Two recent reports further characterize the newly described, Kawasaki-like,  syndrome affecting children with COVID-19 infections. The NEJM describes the childhood syndrome as having Kawasaki’s disease, fever, toxic shock syndrome, acute abdominal conditions, and encephalopathy; hence the label Childhood Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome. The disorder emerged in late April 2020, first in the U.K., and then similar cases were reported from many other countries. The CDC named this multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

ACR Position Statement on Telemedicine

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The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released an official position statement supporting the role of telemedicine as a tool with the potential to increase access and improve care for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Is IL-23 Better than IL-17 Inhibition in Psoriasis?

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Data presented at the recent American Academy of Dermatology meeting suggests that interleukin (IL)-23 inhibition with risankizumab was more effective than the IL-17 inhibition (secukinumab) based on a 52 week randomized head-to-head trial in moderate to severe psoriasis patients.

Tocilizumab May Benefit COVID-19 Pneumonia

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A retrospective, observational study published in Lancet Rheumatology has shown that tocilizumab (TCZ) may reduce the risk of death or the need for mechanical ventilation in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. This observational study included adults, with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, who were hospitalized between Feb 21 and March 24, 2020. All were on the standard of care (ie, supplemental oxygen, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, antiretrovirals, and low molecular weight heparin), and a non-randomly selected subset of patients also received TCZ.

RheumNow Podcast – Lupus Mortality Declines, But… (6.26.20)

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

Protective Benefit of Colchicine in COVID-19 Infection

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Colchicine has been advocated as a potential anti-inflammatory intervention in patients with the coronavirus 2 infection and clinical trials have been developed to assess its effect in early COVID-2 infection.  JAMA has published a randomized clinical trial showing that low dose colchicine had less clinical deterioration without significant changes in biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein.

ACR Outlines Best Practices for Kids With MIS-C

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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 infection has both similarities and differences with Kawasaki disease, and requires distinct clinical management, according to draft guidance from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

TNFi Cycling vs. Swapping Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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For years, rheumatologists would rather fight to stay on a TNF inhibitor (TNFi) than switch to a non-TNFi biologic when rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy fails.

Mortality in Lupus Declines between 2006 and 2016

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The largest study, to date, shows that in‐hospital mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has significantly improved between 2006 and 2016, with a high mortality burden among U.S. Blacks and Hispanics with lupus.