Bryant England, MD, PhD, discusses his study, "Risk of COVID‐19 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A National Veterans Affairs Matched Cohort Study in At‐Risk Individuals." Investigators found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not only at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19, they are more likely to have severe outcomes, such as hospitalization and death, when compared with the general population.
New data show rheumatoid arthritis and immunosuppressive treatment associated with more severe risks of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.
Both patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and those at-risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had a significantly different oral microbiome when compared with a control group. Most notably, the pro-inflammatory discriminative zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs), Prevotella and Veillonella, were much more prevalent in these groups than in patients with no history of autoimmune conditions.
Patients receiving csDMARDs had a significant reduction (40%) in non-serious infection (NSI) risk when compared with biologics.
A UK-based study indicated that patients with RA were more likely to have severe COVID-19 outcomes, including death. However, patients with gout did not appear to have an increased risk.
Rheumatoid arthritis increases cardiovascular risk and the risk of heart attack, but by how much and what impact does treatment have on that risk? Test your knowledge in this quiz.
A study characterizing frailty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis finds psychosocial factors could be more important determinants than aging.
Mindfulness interventions teach and promote the use of psychological skills to improve quality of life among individuals with chronic conditions like rheumatic disease. These interventions largely act by reducing pain-related activation in the sensory cortex and increasing activity in the cingulate cortex, the area of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and processing bodily sensations, like pain.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a poorer prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI) than patients without RA, and longer RA disease duration and glucocorticoid use before MI are associated with higher mortality and recurrent MI.
A treat-to-target strategy is recommended by the American College of Rheumatology for managing rheumatoid arthritis patients over a non-targeted approach. Test your knowledge of the rationale for treat-to target and how it should be implemented in our quiz.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, investigators aimed to evaluate the clinical safety of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) adjuvant therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also have diabetes mellitus, which can have an impact on their RA disease and its treatment. Test your knowledge of diabetes in RA with this quiz.
Recently, a link between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors has emerged, causing the FDA to recommend a black box label for tofacitinib in 2019. New research, however, suggests that tofacitinib had similarly infrequent cases of VTE (<1 per 100) when compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFIs).
Investigators identified both facilitators and barriers for trial participation in patients at risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to enhance inclusion in trials designed to prevent RA.
This week, Rheumatology Network interviewed Michael C. Schweitz, MD, to discuss the recent press release published by CreakyJoints that announced their partnership with the John Whelton Arthur Virshup CreakyJoints South Florida Arthritis Clinic.
Most women experience a decrease in the severity of their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms during pregnancy, but some may need ongoing treatment. Test your knowledge of the treatment of RA during pregnancy.
In this video, Jack March, a physiotherapist specializing in rheumatology, demonstrates exercises for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) relief. He discusses providing exercises for patients, how to prescribe them, reasons to get patients to exercise, and the many benefits that come from engaging in a workout routine.
Although associated with adverse effects, glucocorticoids are effective for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms and are prescribed to most patients. Test your knowledge of the prescription of glucocorticoids in RA with this quiz.
Older adults who self-report rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do not have a Medicare claims history consistent with their diagnosis, according to study.
Research suggests that adults who experienced 2 or more traumatic events during childhood are at a 100% increased risk to develop rheumatic disease.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) believe that prednisolone is a necessary medication, yet they are cautious about taking it due to the adverse effects, according to a new study.
Investigators believe inflammation, which is known to begin before rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms appear, may be a main factor in the increased prevalence and incidence in multimorbidity for patients with RA.
Some treatments for rheumatic diseases have shown promise for treating COVID-19, but many should be avoided in patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. How much do you know about the use of treatments for rheumatic diseases in patients with COVID-19? Take our quiz to find out.
Rheumatology Network sat down with Liana Fraenkel, MD, MPH, the lead investigator for the study: OPEX: Development of a novel overall patient experience measure to facilitate interpretation of comparison effectiveness studies. In partnership with CreakyJoints, Fraenkel is a rheumatologist at Berkshire Medical Center and Director of Patient Centered Population Health Research.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has recently issued conditional recommendations on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination for rheumatology patients with musculoskeletal, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. The recommendations are focused on the 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States and are based on experience using immunomodulatory medications with other vaccines. The recommendations will be reviewed as additional COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use and more information on vaccine response specific to rheumatic disease patients emerges. Test your knowledge of the special considerations recommended for COVID-19 vaccination of patients with rheumatic diseases.
