Articles By Antoni Chan, MD, PhD
Methotrexate - an old trusted friend who deserves better
06 June 2023
Methotrexate (MTX) has been used as the anchor drug for the treatment of RA and PsA for many years. Despite our long experience with the use of MTX, one area that has remained uncertain is its effect on male fertility. There is now increasing evidence that cessation of MTX in males prior to trying conceive is not necessary.
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AI in RA: the story grows along the patient pathway
02 June 2023
The use of artificial intelligence to analyse large data sets using its subset component machine learning has taken centre stage recently in the management of rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The use of AI is now starting to cross the various stages in patient care from detection, diagnosis, treatment and the prediction of long-term outcome.
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An update on JAK inhibitors and cardiovascular risks
31 May 2023
In the last 2 years, there has been more caution and vigilance with the use of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis due to the risk of CV events, including MACE and VTE. The ORAL surveillance study, a post-approval safety study conducted in RA patients aged ≥50 years with ≥1 CV risk factor, has resulted in increased caution and greater emphasis on assessment of MACE and VTE risks in patients starting JAK inhibitors.
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The disconnect between objective inflammatory response and PROs in AxSpA
23 November 2022
The assessment of disease activity in AxSpA involves the use of objective inflammatory response (OIR) and patient reported outcomes (PROs). In clinics, a combination of OIR and PROs are used to measure disease activity and response to treatment.
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Dual inhibition of IL17A and IL17F in AxSpA
14 November 2022
A new target for treatment in AxSpA is the dual inhibition of IL17A and IL17F (IL17A/F). IL17A is a key driver of the inflammation in the AxSpA and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). IL17A and its structurally related IL17F share biologic functional properties. Inhibition of both cytokines (IL17A/F) should result in a greater clinical benefit in AxSpA and PsA than IL17A inhibition alone.
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Practical use of JAK inhibitors in select groups in Axial SpA
12 November 2022
A new treatment for AxSpA that has come on the scene are JAK inhibitors. In clinic, considerations for JAKi use are body mass index, smoking status, prior use of biologics and patients with high inflammatory states such as high CRP and inflammatory change on MRI scan of the spine and sacroiliac joints. There are further studies at #ACR22 which help answer these questions.
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ICYMI: Update on Axial SpA at EULAR 2022
05 July 2022
This year at EULAR 2022, there were important and interesting topics in Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). These are my picks of abstracts from the conference.
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Update on Axial SpA at EULAR 2022
04 June 2022
This year at EULAR 2022, there were important and interesting topics in Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). These are my picks of abstracts from the conference.
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Key Psoriatic Arthritis topics and updates at EULAR 2022
04 June 2022
At EULAR 2022, I have been looking at topics and presentations in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here are my top picks from this year's meeting.
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Updates in Psoriatic Arthritis at EULAR 2022
01 June 2022
At EULAR 2022, I look forward to key topics and presentations in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here's a preview of nine studies I'm particularly interested in at this meeting.
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