The RheumNow Week in Review – 7 April 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from this week's meeting at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Biologics Summit VII; and of course a few other tweets and journal articles.
News
Biologic Safety Holds Up in RA
An updated systematic literature review has provided reassuring evidence regarding the increasing safety of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), European researchers reported.
Abatacept Use During Surgery
The issue of medication management is a complicated one, especially in complex rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking biologic or immunosuppressive drugs.
Healthy Bones Formed During Adolescence
An article in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reports that physical activity during adolescence is an important determinant in bone strength. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2oph6vO)
The RheumNow Week in Review – 31 March 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and Advances in Targeted Therapies meeting in Mandelieu, France:
Tweeting this week from Advances in Targeted Therapies #ATT2017 in Mandelieu, France.
TNF Inhibitor Induced Psoriasis
Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) rarely have been reported to induce new-onset psoriasis.
Mortality in Gout Increased
Two current articles in the Journal of Rheumatology address issues surrounding mortality risk among those with new and established gout.
ICER Report Claims RA Drugs are Not Cost Effective
On Friday March 24, the nonprofit Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) presented its report on the cost and value of targeted immune modulators (TIMs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a meeting in Boston that included clinical experts, manufacturers, payers, and patients.
Biologics Do Not Increase Melanoma Risk
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of certain cancers (e.g., skin, lung, lymphoma). At issue is whether the newer agents modify this risk appreciably.
Steroids, DMARDs and Biologics have Same Low Risk of Infection During Pregnancy
Low rates of serious infections were observed in pregnant women receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Higher rates may be seen with steroid use in pregnancy and SIE trend towards lowest with DMARD or TNFi use.
Lyrica Fails in Sciatica Pain
Lyrica (pregabalin) was first approved in 2004 and since has been studied and approved for use in neuropathic pain (associated with diabetic neuropathy), postherpetic neuralgia, partial onset seizures, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain with spinal cord injury.
The RheumNow Week in Review – 24 March 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews news and highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Rheumatic Manifestations Following Chikungunya Infection
In the Makonde language, “Chikungunya” translates to “that which bends up”, descriptive of the twisted posture of those infected secondary to intense joint and muscle pain experienced during the acute phase of the disease.
NEJM Reviews Psoriatic Arthritis
A comprehensive review of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was published this week in the NEJM, authored by leaders in the field, Drs. Ritchlin, Colbert and Gladman.
High points from their review inlcuded:
