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Articles By Robert Chao, MD

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The complexity of opioid use in spondyloarthritis

A few things we know about opioids: use is common; it’s not efficacious in the treatment of spondyloarthritis; and, there is an opioid epidemic and its users are stigmatized. Abstract 0402 is a retrospective study that looked at patients with psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in the FORWARD databank. It sheds new light and leaves us with some food for thought

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AS, Lupus and Subclinical RA: What I'm looking forward to at ACR22

As we approach ACR22, there are many things to be excited about, especially with the reintroduction of in-person attendance. My attention this year is in research being presented in these three areas: ankylosing spondylitis; lupus management and treatment; and, subclinical RA.

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Spondyloarthritis and COVID-19

There are still questions surrounding COVID-19, and some common questions I receive from patients revolve around what to do with their current DMARDs or should they even start treatment during this pandemic. Two studies focused on this question. 

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JAKi for nonradiographic axSpA

One area of continued interest for many rheumatologists is the field of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Furthermore, the question of the utility of JAK inhibitors for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis has been on the rise. 

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The Enthesitis Challenge in Psoriatic Arthritis

A colleague of mine once told me an interesting story of how her father, who was a doctor, misdiagnosed his wife with fibromyalgia when she actually had psoriatic arthritis with enthesitis all along. I would venture out and say that the average physician would have trouble evaluating enthesitis because even we, as rheumatologists do! 

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Monitoring Infliximab Drug Levels Improves Efficacy

Should we start considering therapeutic drug monitoring when prescribing TNFi for treatment of our rheumatologic conditions?

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Risankizumab for Active Psoriatic Arthritis

The arsenal of therapeutics for psoriatic arthritis continues to increase. Risankizumab is an IL-23 inhibitor to the p19 subunit, currently being investigated for treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

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switch.jpg

Monitoring Infliximab Drug Levels Improves Efficacy

Should we start considering therapeutic drug monitoring when prescribing TNFi for treatment of our rheumatologic conditions?

Read Article
pso.arm_.JPG

Risankizumab for Active Psoriatic Arthritis

The arsenal of therapeutics for psoriatic arthritis continues to increase. Risankizumab is an IL-23 inhibitor to the p19 subunit, currently being investigated for treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

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ICYMI: Psoriatic Disease Management - RNL 2021 Highlights

This year’s coverage of psoriatic arthritis was once again, both exciting and informative. Topics included an overview of the latest therapeutic options, an excellent discussion on psoriasis specifically, and the epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis. 

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