Topline results from Phase 3b APEX study, comparing guselkumab to placebo in biologic naive #PsA pts - showed significant improvement by ACR20 and significantly less Xray progression of structural damage (vs PB) at Week 24 https://t.co/YkUspqd92h https://t.co/cmAUWaScri

FDA announced approval of Inebilizumab (Uplizna; Amgen), 1st approved Rx for IgG4-related disease (targets CD19+ B cells). IG4-related Dz is estimated to affect 20,000 in the USA. List price is $140,248.50 per dose, After two initial loading doses it is given q 6 mos. https://t.co/aD9yBVJukQ

Matched cohort study of 83,811 #RA pts showed RA had a 12% increased risk of avoidable hospitalizations (CHF, pulmonary edema; (IRR 1.12). Predictors of ACSC hosp. were age, Steroids, ambulatory comorbid Dxs. ambulatory care access & ^ primary care may reduce this risk. https://t.co/Tx7LO59RbP

12-month community trial 770 adults w/ opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP). Found that opioid dosage decreased with both mindfulness-based therapy & cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) at 6 & 12 mos.(noninferior) - Why dont we use these? https://t.co/9VhqJEHlhc https://t.co/GWnL66nbvY

NORD-STAR RCT: Rx -naïve pts w/ early #RA found triple (MSH) Rx w/ prn IA steroid injx was superior to MTX + Pred (w/ taper) - w/ better clinical outcomes, fewer withdrawals, fewer AEs, & less steroid use BUT slightly worse Xray outcomes https://t.co/YN6Om2xdIP https://t.co/a7G8WFZSK7

JAK-pot Collaboration of 15 registries looked at MACE risk in RA pts and found NO incr CV risk during 1st 2 yrs of JAKi (vs TNFi) use. 51233 pts; 828 incident MACE; in 73008 Rx courses (16K JAKi, 35K TNFi, & 21K OMA bDMARDs). JAK adj IRR: 0.89;0.63 to 1.25 (vs TNFi); bDMARD-OMA https://t.co/MAZrGfCNrU

French REGATE registry study examined RA pts (n 1496) & Safety of tocilizumab (exposure 3991 PYs). 63 (4.2%) developed 75 cancers (35 solid, 11 Heme, 3 melanomas, 26 NMSC). CA incidence rate (excluding NMSC) was 7.5 /1000 PY. Independ Risk factors for solid CA = age (HR=1.05), https://t.co/3q8HIPa6qf

Vamorolone: a New Steroid on the Horizon? Vamorolone is a potentially new alternative to traditional glucocorticoids for use in inflammatory diseases. It is a dissociated steroidal compound with reduced side effects, and in an animal model of inflammation has shown effective https://t.co/zHDyJbU23q

Steroids, Prophylaxis and Pneumocystis Pneumonia A case-control study has shown that glucocorticoids and tapering glucocorticoids are risk factors for the development of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). The authors provide guidance on the optimal timing for prophylaxis https://t.co/0nKVEKOEex

Upadacitinib for Giant-Cell Arteritis - A Phase 3 Trial The NEJM has published a randomized controlled trial in giant-cell arteritis (GCA) patients, demonstrating significant efficacy and safety of upadacitinib (UPA), given as 15 mg daily, as compared to placebo. https://t.co/Njmg2PKAbq

Diagnostic delays and Undertreatment of Psoriatic Arthritis New research from the University of Bath in the UK reveals delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of psoriatic arthritis often results in irreversible damage to joints. https://t.co/AyaxUXJs8n https://t.co/9x9GhnTR1Y

1st Line Biologics vs. csDMARDs in Adult Still's Disease A German multicentre, retrospective study assessed the first-line efficacy of biologics and conventional synthetic DMARD therapy in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and found biologic agents were https://t.co/NaxACbmyxl