While rituximab has proven to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, it has failed to meet its primary endpoints in clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). But now, an observational study suggests that rituximab could be effective as maintenance therapy in difficult SLE cases.
Racial and ethnic minority patients with lupus develop more kidney, neurological, and blood manifestations than their white counterparts, according to new research.
A study published last month in Arthritis Care & Research shows that racial/ethnic minorities disproportionately have more severe cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this slideshow, we summarize the findings, but we'd like to know what you think. Email us your comments at areyes@mmhgroup.com.
In this slideshow, we highlight the news you may have missed: Prescribing information for a newly approved treatment for pediatric lupus, new reports on negative pregnancy outcomes in PsA and ankylosing spondylitis, new information on the benefits of daily tofacitinib, and much more.
From a new biosimilar to a first-ever approved drug to treat pediatric lupus patients, the Food & Drug Administration has approved several new medications in recent months. In this slideshow, we offer a brief overview of these new therapeutics.
To help clinicians manage antirheumatic drug therapy, the ACR and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons developed evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of antirheumatic medication for patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing knee or hip surgery. In this slideshow, we outline those recommendations.
African American women are disproportionately likely to develop systemic lupus erythematosus, and their disease course is more severe than other demographic groups, says Dr. Edith Williams. In this Q&A, she introduces us to a peer-mentoring program designed to foster self-management.
The expanded indication allows the use of intravenous belimumab (Benlysta) in children as young as 5 years of age.
Mortality rates for white, African American and Hispanic patients with end stage lupus-related renal disease are down. The findings contradict a previous analysis conducted in 2006.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus often have a range of clinical symptoms that are nonspecific and overlap with other medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome.
Growth of bacteria in the intestinal tract is associated with increased lupus activity, particularly lupus nephritis, according to recent research.
By the time a patient is diagnosed with SLE, nephritis has already set in for 35 percent of patients. The American College of Rheumatology offers screening, treatment and management guidelines for lupus nephritis patients. In this slideshow, we review the options.
Drug-induced lupus and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are two entirely different entities. Failure to identify SLE could lead to worsening symptoms, researchers say.
A new study published online ahead of print in Arthritis Care & Research sheds light on the barriers rheumatology patients face with regards to smoking cessation while describing individual reactions to cessation protocols and identifying patient centered outcomes after improvements in care.
Renal transplant can substantially improve survival rates for patients with lupus nephritis, according to new research.
Using a frailty index to predict adverse outcomes and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus proves to be feasible and effective in a study. The test, SLICC-FI, correlated well with existing measures of SLE disease activity, organ damage and HRQoL.
A recent study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology has demonstrated that belimumab is both safe and effective in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and provides disease control over the long term.
Higher lupus disease activity may be associated with bacteria from periodontal disease, which may be an important modifiable mediator of SLE disease activity.
In this quiz, we revisit recent advances made in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Increased cancer risk, a new measure for disease outcomes and a new treatment are among the developments in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) published in recent months. Learn more in this slideshow.
This meta-analysis confirms and clarifies the link between SLE and certain types of cancer.
While traditional risk factors play a role, factors specific to SLE also contribute to CVD.
Test your knowledge of the featured topics and findings reported at rheumatology’s annual educational gathering.
How to ensure your patients with lupus receive the vaccines they need.
What’s new: (1) Gut bacterium may trigger autoimmune disease; (2) pregnancy complications in SLE have declined; (3) childhood abuse raises lupus risk.
