In studies were glucocorticoids(GC) are used as initial bridging Rx, the odds of continuing GC 1 mo beyond expected end of GC bridging was 18% (decreasing to 7% from 6-18 mos). Initial higher doses & longer GC bridging assoc w/ higher cumulative GC doses https://t.co/6iyNVzxt1K https://t.co/TmecyFg2vB

10 yr study of 390 RA pts, of whom 160 (41%) had MTX-related gastrointestinal intolerance (GIS); meaning they D/C MTX and had EGD - H. pylori was significantly higher inMTX GIS pts; such pts had 3 fold higher odds of Rx w/ biologics or JAKi's https://t.co/RvrUErHyWe https://t.co/ea8Kq42oqW

THIS WEEKEND! Join us at RheumNow Live and hear from our keynote speaker, Miracle Larry. Larry will share his story of surviving COVID-19 in March 2020 and becoming known as New York City's 'Miracle Larry. https://t.co/WkB6RWZoDM https://t.co/ddBDXMR0tY

Big Time Vasculitis Dr. Jack Cush reviews articles from the past week on RheumNow. This weeks highlights includes insights on scleroderma, myositis, vasculitis and answers - does aggressive biologic treatment of psoriasis prevent future PsA? https://t.co/hDClGPOYYO https://t.co/J2hsFZAGOr

Annually acetaminophen is responsible for 112 000 US poison center calls, 59000 emergency department visits, and 38000 hospitalizations. Of more concern, it is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US and other high-income countries https://t.co/5AtQAD1dKu https://t.co/ntZ8dD1srz

Does Methotrexate Work in Alopecia Universalis? Alopecia areata totalis (AT) and universalis (AU) are the most severe and difficult to treat forms of alopecia areata (AA). https://t.co/Lvd7P6r85w https://t.co/hX3rz5fBKT

NEJM Case: 44 yoF w/ 1wk hx of pustular rash, 1st on face, then legs. Also has ankle pain & odynophagia. PMHx oral ulcers. Exam: Aphthous ulcers & all labs were negative (ANA, ANCA, HIV, RPR, etc). Skin Bx= small-vessel vasculitis. What Dx? https://t.co/4Zw4xXxaAL https://t.co/GM3Yq70tWq

GCA patients with AORTITIS proven by CTA or FDG-PET/CT have higher rates of relapse. Among 82 GCA pts, 78% positive on both CTA & PET. Relapse was seen in 70% in the CTA+/PET+ group & 29% in the CTA-/PET+ (p = 0.019). https://t.co/2zU9ueWkEZ https://t.co/aFn2xH6KmI

Renal Involvement is Pivotal in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Researchers have identified four different trajectories of kidney function over time in AAV patients, with implications for personalized treatment, as well as future research. https://t.co/JfIWmpkNiS https://t.co/72jRAVxj13

Systemic sclerosis current therapy: - early dcSSc: MMF, CTX, RTX, TCZ - rapidly progressive dcSSc - ?Stem cell transpl? - SSc-ILD: MMF>CTX, possibly nintedanib, perfinidone - Raynauds w/ digital ulcers: CA channel block, PDE5 inhib, iloprost, Bosentan https://t.co/z4OzFklrcl https://t.co/bM01inV2QY

Long-Term Benefit of Rituximab in Systemic Sclerosis A small cohort trial of rituximab (RTX) in 29 systemic sclerosis patients showed significantly improved skin sclerosis and lung function after a follow-up of 96 weeks. https://t.co/qrtv9eK1Oz https://t.co/GdOyaCIPUA

Serum beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) in 100 #SLE pts - strong correlations betw B2M & 24 hr urinary protein, BUN, creatinine, disease activity, & damage score (p < 0.001), & negatively correlated with GFR, C3, C4 (p < 0.001). B2M predicted lupus LN https://t.co/wXCs0WlIYv https://t.co/vZPWtnqIta