Systemic Inflammation and Mortality in RA-ILD

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Analysis of the German RABBIT registry shows that systemic inflammation, more so than disease activity, strongly influences all-cause mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and prevalent interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Biomarker Predictors of Osteoarthritis

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Science Advances has reported that Duke University researchers have validated a biomarkers of osteoarthritis that may be identified 2 years before the appearance of radiographic OA.

ARCTIC Rewind: Can You Taper DMARDs with Remission?

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In an open-label, randomized, non-inferiority trial, rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission were subject to tapering of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and while maintenance of remission was seen in some, many DMARD tapering patients did flare and were unable to maintain flare-free survival compared to those on stable conventional synthetic DMARDs.

TLR Antagonist in Lupus

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An investigational Toll-like receptor (TLR) antagonist was effective in reducing biomarkers and clinical symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a pilot trial, evidence that the innate immune system may hold the key to lupus pathophysiology.

ICYMI: What are the Early Stages of Lupus?

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Incomplete lupus? Undifferentiated connective tissue disease? Pre-clinical autoimmune disease? During the lupus pod at RheumNow Live 2024, Dr. David Karp discussed the spectrum of autoimmune disease and the confusing terminology that is used with the complex world of early autoimmune disease. He cautioned against the traditional use of phrases such as incomplete lupus or undifferentiated connective tissue disease, which are heterogeneous and poorly defined.

Rheum Chapter Notes (4.26.2024)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews this past week’s news and journal articles from RheumNow.com.

Predicting Infection in Lupus Nephritis

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Machine learning (ML) models were applied to 3 cohorts of lupus nephritis (LN) patients and established algorithms to predict co-infection in LN. 

Predicting CKD Outcomes in Lupus Nephritis

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An observational cohort study suggests that proteinuria levels in lupus nephritis (LN) patients did not predict their histologic class. A multicentre observational study of patients with biopsy-proven LN; either proliferative (PLN) or membranous (MLN) lupus nephritis were compared regarding clinical and laboratory presentation and long-term outcomes. The primary outcome was progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

ICYMI: Five Takeaways in PsA/SpA at RNL 2024

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Continuing with the theme of clinical pearls, the PsA and SpA speakers also provided a wealth of information. Here are my five key takeaways and clinical pearls. 

Self Acupressure in Knee Osteoarthritis

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A clinical trial has shown that self-administered acupressure (SAA) is effective in relieving knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients.

ICYMI: How do you manage enthesitis?

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Enthesitis can be a challenge for clinicians to identify, evaluate, and manage in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). It affects 27-35% of PsA patients and 36% of axSpA patients. Dr. Lihi Eder discussed the evaluation and treatment of enthesitis at RheumNow Live on January 28, 2024.

Canary in a Coal Mine (4.19.2024)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews regulatory reports, news and novel journal articles - this week focusing on Sjogren's, ILD, Gout and Uveitis.