Placebo beats probiotics in PsA. And nearly 90% of well-controlled RA patients may be able to cut their targeted therapy dose in half. Dr. Jack Cush breaks down the findings worth a closer look in this week's RheumNow podcast, Troubles with ‘Gut Feelings’. Probiotics in PsA: https://t.co/Aqy4HxGHbU

Yale researchers propose repurposing the epilepsy drug, lacosamide, to treat osteoarthritis. In animal models, delivered as a hydrogel conjugate IA, improved cartilage repair, slowed deterioration, & reduced pain. Chosen as it blocks Sodium channels, esp Nav1.7 involved in pain https://t.co/ERJ2xPEyzl

Market info: Ankylosing Spondylitis market size in USA estimated at $3.3 billion USD in 2020 & is expected to increase 8.36% annually from 2019–2032. US prevalence of AS in 2020 was 1,300,971 cases https://t.co/EAginmKFF9 https://t.co/2Ye4Gk1awT

Italian GISEA (early RA) registry = 1304 pts Rx w/ JAK inhibitors. Retention rates at 6, 12, & 24 mos = 81%, 75%, & 61%. Low retention w/ baseline GC, high Dz activity, & pain. https://t.co/kKZmTHmEUb https://t.co/JlUUrFIU4G

Colchicine & Statins: A significant interaction? Colchicine is frequently used in rheumatologic practice. Current ACR guidelines for gout management support anti-inflammatory prophylaxis, including colchicine, during initiation and uptitration of urate-lowering therapy https://t.co/BFF9UTuLIl

Single center study of Probiotics in #PsA showed no benefit. 66 moderately active PsA pts (PASDAS>3.2) on stable Tx: Rx probiotic vs PBO x 12 wks. 56 pts analyzed, PASDAS <3 responders: 43% probiotic vs 65% PBO (P 0.167), w/ no change in gut permeability markers or stool https://t.co/0JUZ8SrRuw

92 early (<2 yrs) systemic sclerosis pts were treated with #MTX; 79% diffuse SSc. At 3 mos, 34% of dcSSc ≥25% reduction in mRSS - increasing to 612% a@ 24 mos (29% at 24 mos ITT w/ non-responder imputation). GC did not improve skin. Dz progression seen w/ 75% of MTX monoTx D/C https://t.co/w5Gc3ntej0

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi https://t.co/KgQGp6mKlH

Symptomatic hand OA (HOA) increased signif in past decade in the Netherlands (esp women & older adults). PCP EHR study of 1.8 million Dutch patients ≥30 yrs. Betw 2013 & 2023, prevalence incr 65% (5.7 to 9.4%); incidence rose 20% (7.1 to 8.5/1000PY) https://t.co/HyqdwJ70y4 https://t.co/7fBngLO5w0

Univ Toronto lupus clinic study of 165 #SLE pts w/ Bx-proven LN (age 35.3 yrs; Dz dur 6.2 years). Half on antimalarial Rx. Being on HCQ did not alter Renal Bx outcomes (prolif GN, NIH AI, NIH CI, IFTA score. (But is known to improve renal outcomes) https://t.co/oQ0CgK7rXm https://t.co/PZX31wOPmL

Can DMARD Doses Be Safely Reduced for RA Patients? Close to 90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) well controlled on targeted therapies were able to take 50% dosage reductions without experiencing worsened disease activity in a randomized trial, South Korean https://t.co/MyjZdRaGb4

In early RA, initial b/tsDMARDs are better than MTX. Metanalysis of 29 RCTs (13387 pts), Vs MTX alone, initial b/tsDMARDs + MTX signif incr DAS28 remission 2 6 mos (RR 1.62) & 12 mos (RR 1.54). Benefits greater w/ higher baseline Dz, seropositivity https://t.co/exwVOc08xR https://t.co/00UXGTGPaH

Kenneth G. Saag, M.D., https://t.co/TJOX58X5d5., Named North American Editor-in-Chief of Osteoporosis International; Dr. Saag also will oversee Archives of Osteoporosis in collaboration with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). Ken is a professor of medicine and https://t.co/KouJoStW5C

Colchicine & Statins: A significant interaction? Colchicine is frequently used in rheumatologic practice. Current ACR guidelines for gout management support anti-inflammatory prophylaxis, including colchicine, during initiation and uptitration of urate-lowering therapy https://t.co/eyDbfpQajN

Surgery for 1st MTP Osteoarthritis Hallux rigidus, or osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), is common, but treatment options and long-term outcomes remain poorly understood. A 12-month clinical trial showed that first MTPJ arthrodesis (compared to https://t.co/fHda4GK4vA