Articles By Akhil Sood, MD
ICYMI: Beyond the Needle: Redefining the Assessment of Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is one of the most silent and severe manifestations of SLE. When not captured early, patients are at high risk of progressing to end-stage renal disease, which would require dialysis or transplantation. Renal biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis and disease classification. However, the procedure is invasive and very painful. Non-invasive measures are critical for early detection and continuous monitoring.
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ICYMI: Taking AI Out of AutoImmunity: Predicting disease before it develops
the predictive value of a positive ANA test—especially in the absence of other clinical symptoms—remains a challenge. A positive test often leads to further testing, yet it does not necessarily indicate whether a patient truly has an underlying autoimmune disease. The development of AI and machine learning algorithms presents an opportunity to interpret autoantibody tests and predict autoimmune diseases. Here are three studies looking at this issue.
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Cognitive Impairment: The Hidden Burden in Lupus Care
Suppose you have a patient with lupus returning for follow-up. Their joint symptoms are well controlled. The kidneys—managed with a combination of biologic DMARD and mycophenolate—show no signs of active urinary sediment or protein. Yet, during the routine visit, your patient brings up fatigue and difficulty remembering things. How do you address this? Several studies presented at ACR24 focused on cognitive impairment in lupus.
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Taking AI Out of AutoImmunity: Predicting disease before it develops
the predictive value of a positive ANA test—especially in the absence of other clinical symptoms—remains a challenge. A positive test often leads to further testing, yet it does not necessarily indicate whether a patient truly has an underlying autoimmune disease. The development of AI and machine learning algorithms presents an opportunity to interpret autoantibody tests and predict autoimmune diseases. Here are three studies looking at this issue.
Read Article
Beyond the Needle: Redefining the Assessment of Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is one of the most silent and severe manifestations of SLE. When not captured early, patients are at high risk of progressing to end-stage renal disease, which would require dialysis or transplantation. Renal biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis and disease classification. However, the procedure is invasive and very painful. Non-invasive measures are critical for early detection and continuous monitoring.
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A Multidimensional Approach in the Management of Axial Spondylarthritis
There has been much focus on the pharmacologic management of axSpA. Despite optimal control of inflammation, symptoms of fatigue and pain can persist. Long term use of analgesics including opioids carries significant risks. Strategies to improve response to treatment in this population is critical.
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Thinking Outside the Box: Novel Strategies for Early Detection of AxSpA
Strategies to identify patients with suspected inflammatory back pain in the general population is critical for timely and proper diagnosis.
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Long COVID and Rheumatic Disease
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact worldwide particularly among those who are immunocompromised. Numerous studies have highlighted the increased risk of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with rheumatic diseases (RD).
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Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Evidence suggests that RA patients are at increased risk for cognitive impairment. This is likely mediated by certain factors, including chronic inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. In the clinical setting, it is important to identify RA patients at increased risk for cognitive impairment.
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Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patients with rheumatic diseases – requiring lifelong immunosuppressants— are at high risk for respiratory and viral infections. Over the past decade, an armamentarium of biologic and targeted therapies has led to better control of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Whether these patients, especially those receiving newer biological and targeted therapies such as JAK inhibitors, are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes remains uncertain.
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