29 Patients with MDA-5+ Dermatomyositis compliated by ILD were treated with high‐dose steroids, tacrolimus, and IV cyclophosphamide +/- Plasmapheres. 6 mos survival was better (89% and 33%, respectively, P < 0.0001) compared to 15 pts not treated https://t.co/utPiaQlUZF

The RheumNow Podcast is up – Should you Believe in Vitamin D or Rituximab? Watch it on RheumNow>> https://t.co/bX5u9KcKYz or listen to the podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud>> https://t.co/MxDcIyej3L

Novartis announced 16 wk results from the PREVENT trial - secukinumab shown to have superior ASAS40 responses in active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). They estimate there are 1.7 million with nr-axSpA in the EU and US. https://t.co/IamZNN7Itc

Altoona Arthritis Center and Dr. Alan Kivitz praised in the news for their unique blend of patient care and clinical trials research https://t.co/9kGLBhwzsn

Renal Review on treating asymptomatic hyperuricemia in CKD patients finds very few studies demonstrating renal protective effects w/ ULT w/ an abnormal uric acid. (this is without consideration of degree of CKD or hyperuricemia) https://t.co/nKo018lb6v

FDA issues warning against the use of higher doses of Imodium (loperamide) - has been associated with "serious heart problems and deaths with much higher than the recommended doses of loperamide". https://t.co/UxPn6F6BL0

Systemic sclerosis is associated with an increased cancer risk. A cohort of 1727 SSc pts showed an increased cancer SIR of 2.15 (CI 1.84‐2.49). Most common cancers were breast, melanoma, hematological & lung. CA risk higher w/ RNAP III Ab, CCB Rx & ILD https://t.co/q5iTRI91Ng

Question for Rheumatologists - How do you scoreboard your performance as a Rheumatologist?

JAMA study shows inconsistencies and inaccuracies in EMR documentation of ROS and PE findings compared to observer audible recorded observations - study of 9 ED Residents, 30 pt encounters each, total of 180 ED patients. https://t.co/PttGYvgCue

41 participants with RA and T2D were randomised to recv anakinra or a TNFi; RA dz activity decreased in both groups over 6 mos. Anakinra significantly improved A1C at 3 and 6 mos, but TNFi did not. https://t.co/UIBsRjMbKR

"People don't believe what you tell them. They rarely believe what you show them. They often believe what their friends tell them. They always believe what they tell themselves." - SETH GODIN

Question for Rheumatologists - How do you scoreboard your performance as a Rheumatologist?

Dr. Rob Speira & HSS investigators will lead a multicenter, phase II, 6 mos clinical trial of anti-GM-CSF (mavrilimumab) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA. There is still heavy reliance on steroids in GCA; tocilizumab was FDA approved in in 2017 https://t.co/zDWgSVuXec