Lana Pine

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Rheumatology Network's highlights from the week ending February 5, 2021.

In this 48-week, phase 3, randomized controlled trial, investigators examined patient-reported outcomes of patients with psoriatic arthritis receiving methotrexate monotherapy, etanercept monotherapy, or a combination of both drugs.

Tocilizumab is an interleukin 6 (an inflammatory cytokine) inhibitor approved for treating a variety of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. As studies have shown that an increased level of interleukin 6 directly correlates to poor COVID-19 outcomes, investigators speculated that blocking this activity could be a helpful tool in treating the virus and lessening its severity.

This week, we sat down for an interview with Alice Fike, MS, NP, from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), to discuss her study titled “Risk factors for COVID-19 and rheumatic disease flare in a US cohort of Latino patients.” The primary objective of this retrospective study was to understand why Latino patients were being disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The primary objective of this retrospective study was to understand why Latino patients were being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Of the patients observed, 32 (18%) developed COVID-19 during the study period, meaning incidence rates were 5- to 11-fold higher than the general population (1,540 to 3,431/100,000).

This week, we sat down for an interview with April Jorge, MD, to discuss the findings of her study, “Temporal trends and severe COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatic disease,” and what this may mean for patients with rheumatic disease moving forward in the pandemic.

In a new study, investigators set out to discover whether the Janus kinase-1 inhibitor filgotinib is efficacious, either in combination with MTX or as monotherapy, in patients with RA who have had limited or no MTX exposure.

A recent study published in The Journal of Rheumatology found no association between hydroxychloroquine therapy and heart failure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE).

Despite the limitations of the study, non-adherence rates were significantly reduced in patients observed throughout the 3 years, indicating that the methods developed and deployed were successful.

Voclosporin (LUPKYNIS), in combination with an existing immunosuppressive therapy regimen, works to safely and effectively treat adult patients with lupus nephritis.

Investigators aimed to improve the quality of care by creating effective management plans using the goals of both the patient and physician. During the course of the Elderly Multimorbidity Clinic (EMC) program, 75% of patients accomplished at least 1 of their goals. Unfortunately, no sustained benefits were observed because of low follow-up.

Investigators found "improved outcomes for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases after COVID-19 diagnosis in more recent months of the pandemic compared with earlier months, including lower risks of death, respiratory failure, and renal failure."

Previously proven to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with RA, baricitinib can also help patients reduce joint damage progression and erosion.

Coupled with the fact that there were no new safety concerns identified, these findings further solidify the safety and effectiveness of abatacept for RA patients.