French GAZEL study of 20,625 pts showed a confirmed RA Dx was significantly assoc w/ increased CV risk (HR 3.03; 1.13–8.11) independent of usual CV risk factors. RF or ACPA (+) without RA was not associated with CV events https://t.co/DG8o5d9hHE https://t.co/5n9uDAhSrF

When Labs and Exam are Discordant A patient whose labs are way scary but her exam is not QD Clinic is sponsored by https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR (March 19 & 20, 2022 in Las Colinas, Texas) https://t.co/zUNcCn2CMi https://t.co/jsCGdwn5SH

Spondyloarthritis in Early Crohn's Disease Analysis of a German Crohn's disease cohort finds that in patients with early CD, SpA was present in nearly one out of five patients and was associated with HLA-B27 positivity and a highly active CD. https://t.co/q3w0hy0mzw https://t.co/P6EdggUxM8

An odd association - Swedish Registry analysis matched incident gout (1:5) w/ non-gout & looked for birth associations. Future gout risk was assoc w/ maternal diabetes ( https://t.co/Tsz72SeTC8 3.1), congenital malformation (OR 1.33), $ small gestational (OR 1.75) https://t.co/r9dGMzBopK

Postpartum maternal outcomes Study compared 202 RA pts to 596 non-RA controls. There was no difference in infection rates or transfusions, but RA was assoc w/ more preterm births (OR = 2.11). Steroids (41%) were associated with lower birthweight https://t.co/F8DKmEHh0M https://t.co/d4Jkb3huMy

Increased SLE Flares with HCQ Reduction Concerns about the long-term safety of HCQ often results in dose reduction or drug discontinuation; yet a study shows that, for those in remission, HCQ taper/discontinuation resulted in a higher rate of SLE flares. https://t.co/BROdm7zLaw https://t.co/2cEDEc2eOn

OP is worse w/ Inflammation; would biologics reduce OP and Fx risk? Swedish study of 24,678 RA pts, 4265 on biologics - Over time, the OP Fx rates were 12.1 vs 13.0 per 1000PY with and without biologics (HR 0.97; 0.78-1.20); Thus no Fx benefit https://t.co/d2zGd0WWoa https://t.co/Z9HVMUQd5U

2/28, was “Rare Disease Day” in the USA, w/many tributes to the patients, doctors & researchers dedicated to these disorders. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to shout about the many rare conditions that don’t get enough press, praise or funding. https://t.co/ft8Y8Mmdnz https://t.co/WqhRGzNRtS

NEJM case - Whats the diagnosis? 31yoM w/ 10yr hx of clubbing, arthralgias, nailfold hyperpigmentation, Tender DIPs, toes; xrays showed bony proliferation. Labs and PET were normal. Rx w/ NSAIDs and improved w/ specific Rx? https://t.co/kwkIsOgnW5 https://t.co/NsBqe3rxFP

Top February Tweet: Positive Results from the DOA (Duloxetine in OsteoArthritis) Study https://t.co/Is56PBxpIr https://t.co/xEh6zbx9nr

Polarized microscopy of synovial fluid to identify uric acid crystals was shown to high utility and reliability in a study of 5 rheumatologists (4 consultants, 1 registrar). 50 SF samples - good agreement w/ κ = 0.71 for MSU, 0.88 for CPP https://t.co/5c7N7spc0t https://t.co/9wXsHuCY6D