ACR/SPARTAN Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

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The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN), released the 2019 Update of the Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and Nonradiographic Axi

RheumNow Podcast – Upadacitinib FDA Approved for RA (8.23.19)

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Dr. Jack Cush reports on the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com, including: how your genetics may shape your microbiome; GERD as a risk factor for TMJ?; how can MDA-5+ dermatomyositis be any worse; new drug happenings; StillsNow.com; and more.

A Multidimensional Definition of Remission

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A study from Leeds suggests 'multi-dimensional remission' (MDR) can be seen in one-third of RA patients achieving DAS28-remission; such patients have better patient-reported outcome measures, making it an optimal goal, especially from a patient's perspective.

Osteoporosis Tx: Good for Bones, but Not for Cutting Death Risk

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Osteoporosis treatments were not linked with reduced overall mortality, according to a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trial data.

Good Pregnancy Outcomes for DMARD Exposed JIA Patients

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A study of pregnancy outcomes in 98 women with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who were exposed to DMARDs shows no increased risk of major adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Autoantibodies Don't Disappear With Remission in RA

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Immunologic remission in rheumatoid arthritis, defined as the disappearance of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and rheumatoid factor, was seen infrequently among patients achieving sustained clinical remission and did not correlate with the disappearance of symptoms, a long-term Dutch study found.

Skyrizi Outduels Humira in Psoriasis

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A head-to-head trial has shown that risankizumab was significantly superior to adalimumab in providing skin clearance (PASI90) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with no difference in safety signals between the two agents.

Upadacitinib (RINVOQ) FDA Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday, August 16, approved AbbVie JAK1 inhibitor, Rinvoq (upadacitinib) for adults with  rheumatoid arthritis with moderately to severely active disease either not responding to, or intolerant of, methotrexate (MTX). 

RheumNow Podcast – Antibiotics Increase RA Risk (8.16.19)

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

Updated CDC Recommendation for Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

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Serologic testing is the principal means of laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. Current recommendations include using a sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or immunofluorescence assay, followed by a western immunoblot assay for specimens yielding positive or equivocal results. On July 29, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration cleared several Lyme disease serologic assays with new indications for use, allowing for an EIA rather than western immunoblot assay as the second test in a Lyme disease testing algorithm. Thus, serologic assays that utilize a second EIA in place of western immunoblot assay are acceptable alternatives for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Rise in Fatty Liver Disease Linked to Obesity and Diabetes

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Gut has published population results from NHANES population study showing that the prevalence of fatty liver disease is rising in the US and is driven by obesity and diabetes.

Trends in Inflammatory Arthritis Care in Germany

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The German National Database (NDB) has reviewed their experience in the care and quality of life of inflammatory rheumatic disease patients snce 1993, showing improved use of metrics, improved outcomes and a changing profile of biologic and anti-rheumatic drug use.