The monoclonal antibody guselkumab (Tremfya), which binds the interleukin (IL)-23 p19 subunit, was effective for psoriatic arthritis in two large clinical trials, providing comprehensive benefits for this heterogeneous disorder, investigators reported in The Lancet.

On Tuesday, April 7th, RheumNow hosted its first Tuesday Nite Rheumatology webinar - kicking off a two-month series of Rheumatology Grand Rounds lectures.  The first session featured Jack Cush, MD (UT Southwestern) who lectured on "The Safety of Biologics and Newer Agents".

This 30 minute lecture was followed by a 20+ min Q&A with the online audience from across the globe. We hope you enjoy this presentation.  Slides for this lecture are available for download.

The incubation period for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has important implications for surveillance and control activities. The Annals of Internal Medicine reports a pooled analysis of confirmed COVID-19 cases January 4, 2020 and February 24, 2020. The analyzed confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection outside Hubei province, China.

On Thursday, April 2nd, RheumNow hosted its' first Town Hall Meeting for Rheumatologist, with this 90 minute discussion devoted to the COVID-19 crisis as it affects Rheumatologists. 

The panel of six reknowned experts in rheumatology, practice, science, trials, telemedicine and infectious diseases included:

The ACR website

We know you’ve been following the news about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) closely, and have many questions and concerns about what this outbreak will mean for you, your family, and your patients.

As the highly virulent SARS-CoV-2 spreads over the world, uncertainty and fear for our patients with rheumatic diseases mount.  

As of March 17, 2020 over 183,000* cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been recorded, with the majority in China and Europe, but that may be the tip of the iceberg. Many more cases likely exist that are undetected due to shortages in testing supplies.   

Rheumatology reports on a study of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) showing worse outcomes and higher costs when hospitalized with GPA.

GPA patients were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and were compared to those without GPA with regard to demographics, procedures, length of stay, mortality, morbidity and total hospitalization charges (between 2005–2014).

A full-read, novel Viewpoint article published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease (Huizinga TWJ, et al) spotlights a recent international meeting of big thinkers, scientific collaborators and industry dedicated to innovation in rheumatology.

Citing examples of developing disruptive technologies, like electric cars and monoclonal antibodies, the authors call for disruptive innovation (in science, networks and infrastructure) to change the scientific landscape and approach to rheumatic disease. 

A good full-read, novel Viewpoint article published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease (Huizinga TWJ, et al)

Citing examples of developing disruptive technologies like electric cars and monoclonal antibodies, the authors note that support of disruptive innovation the support networks and its infrastructure often need to be changed dynamically to accommodate a rapidly evolving landscape to establish the disruptive approach.

If you’re going to spend 10-20% of your clinic hours examining and caring for 28 or 68 or 360 joints – it may be instructive to own up to those joints we excel at and take note of the ones we avoid, despise or struggle with. 

Patient on bisphosphonates for several years, later placed on denosumab. After her 2nd dose, she developed ONJ. Patient then placed on daily teriparatide with resolution of ONJ and now has a normal BMD. She is about to complete her 2nd year of PTH therapy. What should she be treated with after PTH?

While the FRAX is useful to determine if individuals with low bone mass may benefit from treatment for osteoporosis, this method also has some shortcomings.

Experience is a great teacher.  My experience with knee replacement surgery has taught me the integral importance of the physical therapist in individual outcomes.

While the FRAX is useful to determine if individuals with low bone mass may benefit from treatment for osteoporosis, this method also has some shortcomings.

Science Translational Medicine features a report from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center showing that a scopion venom peptide, coupled to steroid, can significantly reduce joint inflammation in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Using a peptide shown to traffic to joint cartilage, researchers systemically treated rodents with collagen-induced arthritis, with a conjugate of the peptide with steroid, suggesting that such a conjugate has the potential for joint-targeted therapy.

RheumNow Live kicks off its second annual meeting - a little, big meeting in Fort Worth - in just 2 weeks and I think you should be there.

This 17.25 CME credit hour meeting runs from Friday afternoon (3/13) until Sunday morning (3/15), meaning you can drop in over a short weekend and see some of the best lectures and interactive educational sessions you've ever attended.

Science Translational Medicine has a report on how the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may boost osteoblasts to battle bone erosions in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

JAK inhibitors have been shown in clinical trials to retard the development of bone erosions while controlling RA inflammation and other clinical features.

This report reviews how JAK inhibition may influence bone homeostasis using mouse models during steady state or with bone loss induced by  estrogen-deficiency or inflammation (arthritis). 

UK registry reports that greater than 80% of total knee replacements can last for 25 years.

The outcomes regarding the duration and durability of knee arthroplasties is sketchy, with many orthopedists projecting a 15 to 20 year survivial. Hence the need for an appraisal of the data.