RA-ILD in the Spotlight at ACR 2024

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Over the past 5 years, there has been growing interest in RA-ILD due to its relative prevalence and severity. This seems to be one of the few RA outcomes not improving much, even with the advent of expanded treatment options. There is also a shocking lack of trial data. This year, there were two oral sessions dedicated to RA-ILD, one of which even the overflow room was standing room only, in addition to many posters.

What Lies Beneath: Understanding Nailfold Capillaroscopy

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Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive imaging technique used for the in vivo assessment of the microcirculation. kin capillaries at the nailfold are evaluated because the fingers are involved in pathological processes such as Raynaud’s phenomenon. Several abstracts and sessions on nailfold capillaroscopy were presented during ACR24.

Maximizing DMARDs to Strive for Steroid-Free Remission in RA

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In 1950, three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking discovery of steroids, heralded at the time as a "miracle cure" for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Novel and Emerging Therapies in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Recent advancements in targeted therapies, including selective inhibitors of key inflammatory pathways, offer promising outcomes for patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). At ACR 2024, there have been further developments in novel therapies in PsA.

ICYMI: Taking AI Out of AutoImmunity: Predicting disease before it develops

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the predictive value of a positive ANA test—especially in the absence of other clinical symptoms—remains a challenge. A positive test often leads to further testing, yet it does not necessarily indicate whether a patient truly has an underlying autoimmune disease. The development of AI and machine learning algorithms presents an opportunity to interpret autoantibody tests and predict autoimmune diseases. Here are three studies looking at this issue.

Is Your Practice Up to Date? New Guidelines for SLE Nephritis

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Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) drive guidelines; guidelines drive clinical practice. Because updated guidelines lag trials by many years and dissemination of guidelines takes additional time, rheumatologists often practice “behind the data.” The 2024 ACR Guidelines for the Management of SLE Nephritis reaffirmed many of our typical practice patterns, including hydroxychloroquine for all, renin/angiotensin blockade, and favoring mycophenolate mofetil over cyclophosphamide.

ICYMI: How Online Searches Reveal Patient Needs

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Managing health conditions is rapidly evolving as patients increasingly turn to online resources for answers—over 65% search for health-related questions online. Our study analyzed Google search trends for rheumatic disease topics, offering a fascinating glimpse into how online search behavior can reveal patient needs and experiences. This approach, known as "infodemiology," tracks real-time Google Trends data to understand symptom- and treatment-related searches for rheumatic conditions.

Dreaming of Relief: The Importance of Sleep in Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Sleep plays a critical role in regulating inflammation and overall health. In rheumatic diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), disrupted sleep is common and can exacerbate symptoms and disease progression. Experts Dr. Al Kim, Patty Katz, and Dr. Yvonne Lee emphasized the importance of addressing sleep disturbances in these conditions.

#ACR Best 2024 - Day 4

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Although the last day of ACR Convergence 2024 was but a half day - it was chock full of gems, many coming from the late breaking abstracts presented today.  As chosen by the RheumNow faculty, here are some highlight presentations you need to know about.

Methotrexate to Prevent RA, Clear as Mud

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Intervention in individuals predisposed to develop RA, with a holy grail of prevention of RA, has long been a hot topic. The 4-year results of the TREAT EARLIER study, presented at Tuesday’s oral abstract session, show that methotrexate appears to prevent the development of RA in high risk ACPA- patients.

Predicting flares in rheumatic diseases with machine learning

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Rheumatic diseases, such as axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are marked by unpredictable disease flares that adversely impact quality of life and long-term outcomes.

How New Medications are Reframing Imaging Abnormalities in axSpA

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Bimekizumab (BKZ), a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets both IL-17A and IL-17F, was evaluated in the BE MOBILE 1 (non-radiographic axSpA) and BE MOBILE 2 (radiographic axSpA) trials and found to yield significant cli