Does Rheumatoid Factor Influence Anti-TNF Responses in RA?

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Smolen and colleagues have published a subanalysis of the EXXELERATE study that showed while certolizumab pegol [CZP] concentrations and efficacy was unaffected by high titers of rheumatoid factor (RF), patients treated with adalimumab had a blunted response in the face of high RF titers.

Urticarial Vasculitis Overview

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Urticarial vasculitis is rare and the causes often go undiagnosed. A Medscape recent overview highlights key features in the diagnosis and management of this rare disorder.

Immunomodulatory Prevention of Uveitis Relapse in Behçet's

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The results of a randomised, open-label, head-to-head trial shows that adalimumab was superior to ciclosporin in preventing uveitis relapses in patients with severe Behçet's disease.

Scleroderma Raynaud's May Worsen in Summer

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Episodes of Raynaud's phenomenon, a common feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc, also known as scleroderma), were more severe not only at low temperatures, as one would expect, but also during summertime heat, a multinational study found.

Good Clinical Practice Recommendations on Glucocorticoid Withdrawal and Adrenal Insufficiency

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Glucocorticoids are widely prescribed as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. This results in at least 1% of the population using chronic glucocorticoid therapy being at risk for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. This risk is dependent on the dose, duration and potency of the glucocorticoid, route of administration, and individual susceptibility.

Sustained Hydroxychloroquine and Cardiovascular Outcomes

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A national cohort study shows that continuous use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) protects agains cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Running with Data (8.30.2024)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com - including tips on steroids, MAS, and myositis testing.

Consumption of Alcohol and the Risk of Gout

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Alcohol is a risk factor for gout and flares. While the inciting potential differs among alcohol types, are these differences sex specific?

Diagnosing Seronegative Sjogren's Disease

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Sjögren disease (SjD) is highly prevalent, but diagnosis may be challenged if anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy are negative. A recent cohort analysis suggests a novel autoantibody profile has predictive value SSA negative SjD and also in those with a positive labial biopsy.

IV Methylprednisolone in Giant Cell Arteritis

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A retrospective study in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients suggests there is no added value using higher dose, intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in early GCA.

Antibiotics May Increase Inflammatory Arthritis Risk

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Birth Control Use in Lupus

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Published guidelines on lupus management urge that female patients plan and prepare carefully for pregnancy, and use contraceptives when it's not intended -- but these recommendations are only rarely followed, a registry study suggested.