Andrew Smith

A retrospective analysis of patient records has found a significant link between psoriatic arthritis and malignant cancer – particularly breast cancer.

A small British study indicates that the use of several immunosuppressive agents can restore the effectiveness of ustekinumab (Stelara) in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Analysis of data from 2 large trials finds that cutoffs used to separate different “disease activity states” on the Disease Activity index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) are valid. Different disease activity states are associated with different degrees of functional impairment and joint damage progression.

An observational study of psoriatic arthritis patients indicated that initial levels of C-reactive protein are correlated with a poor response to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and the eventual need for treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors.

Blood analysis in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as psoriatic arthritis indicates that biologic medications do not reduce the efficacy of anti-pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, and that patients with such conditions may not need to be vaccinated more frequently than others.

A new patient registry analysis assessed whether there were any significant differences in outcome between combination therapy and monotherapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Longer intervals between injections of anti-TNF drugs in patients with psoriatic arthritis is "safe, effective, cost-effective, and facilitates patient compliance," according to researchers.

A study of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty found that patients with psoriatic arthritis face no greater risk of poor outcomes than patients who get hip replacements because of osteoarthritis.

Regulators in the UK have decided not to recommend apremilast as an alternative to DMARD therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Researchers have found further links between vitamin D deficiency and chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as psoriatic arthritis.

A small Italian study found no evidence that use of anti-TNF-alpha agents during pregnancy affects the health or development of children in their first 2 years of life.

Analysis of a population-based cohort indicates that patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis face an elevated risk of developing heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

A new meta-study of bee venom therapy finds considerable risk of anaphylaxis and other reactions, concluding that only experts should offer it to patients.

Should physicians prescribe opioids to patients suffering from pain associated with fibromyalgia. If they decide to do so, how can they tell which patients will benefit?