News

Romosozumab increases bone mineral density (BMD) most effectively when used prior to antiresorptive drugs, researchers say.

A new ACR study details the effects of romosozumab on bone mineral density gains when followed or preceded with antiresorptive medications such as alendronate or denosumab.

Tuberculosis screening and ongoing clinical care is needed for patients prescribed methotrexate, particularly if co-administered with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants, who live in areas where tuberculosis is common, according to researchers recently reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Several factors can increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis in patients with systemic sclerosis, including poor functional status and being underweight, according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Saturday. However, the impact of proton pump inhibitors was less clear.

The use of the anticoagulating drug warfarin can lead to vitamin K deficiencies in patients with osteoarthritis, making it more likely they will need knee and hip replacement, researchers say.

Black patients with lupus have a threefold higher stroke risk and a 24-fold higher ischemic heart disease risk than other ethnic or racial groups with the condition, researchers say.

A study from ACR details the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of osteoporosis in older men.

In patients with psoriatic arthritis who are DMARD naïve, ixekizumab had similar efficacy at one year whether it was used as a monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or csDMARD, while adalimumab showed better efficacy as a combination therapy.

Non-corticosteroid immunosuppressant use and long duration of disease increase the likelihood of patients with systemic osteopenia being diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis, according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Friday.

Favorable phase 2 results with the TYK2 inhibitor for psoriatic arthritis at ACR 2020 coincided with announced positive phase 3 trial results for psoriasis.

In a study that examined the influenza adverse events (AEs) of tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Pfizer) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, similar AEs were seen with tofacitinib, adalimumab, methotrexate, and placebo, and between different tofacitinib doses and patient age groups, according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Monday.

A study from ACR Convergence details the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of osteoporosis in older men.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) who take hydroxychloroquine do not have any differences in their corrected QT (QTc) intervals on electrocardiogram (EKG), even if they have chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Monday.

Lessons learned from antimalarial drug shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic: rheumatic disease patients in African and South-East Asia had difficulty obtaining antimalarials as compared to counterparts in the Americas and Europe. Shortages led to worse mental and physical health outcomes. Antimalarials did not protect patients from COVID-19.

Doctors increased their use of DEXA screening and initiate osteoporosis therapy more frequently after the implementation of an initiative to raise their awareness of the 2017 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for the management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Friday.

The use of corticosteroid injections may not be associated with the progression of knee osteoarthritis to the point of total knee replacement any more than the use of hyaluronic acid, according to a presentation made today at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting.

Black and Latinx COVID-19 patients in the United States who suffer from rheumatic conditions are more likely to require hospitalization and invasive ventilation than their White counterparts, a new study suggests.

Artificial intelligence (AI) detected axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in radiographic scans of sacroiliac joints as accurately as human experts, shows a new study.

Women whose autoimmune disorders cause interstitial lung disease may be able to get pregnant and give birth safely, researchers reported at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting.

In a study that examined the long-term effectiveness of intravenous and subcutaneous abatacept (Orencia, Bristol-Myers Squibb) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the treatment was safe and well-tolerated with no new safety risks identified, according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Saturday.

In a study that examined the effects of guselkumab (Tremfya, Janssen) on fatigue in patients with psoriatic arthritis, the treatment reduced fatigue through one year, according to researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Friday.

An analysis of patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or evidence of sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found that secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis) use resulted in numerically higher treatment response rates than placebo.

In a study that explored the longitudinal racial disparities in rheumatoid arthritis treatment and emergency department use, black rheumatoid arthritis patients were found to be less likely to receive biologics and instead, be given a prescription for glucocorticoids, say researchers reporting at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology on Friday.

Results from a trial in England suggest fall prevention programs and interventions may not be reducing fall rates and fractures in older patients, but do point to other benefits from an exercise program.

A new study contributes to the growing discussion around rheumatic disease treatment disparities.

Beta blockers may slow the rate of bone loss that occurs as people age, a study published in JBMR Plus suggests.

Use of either oral or inhaled corticosteroids to manage asthma can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, suggest the findings of a large study published in Thorax.

Depression may be linked to an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly patients taking antidepressants, shows a new study.

Weight fluctuation in rheumatoid arthritis patients appears to be associated with higher cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially if they are not overweight, shows a new study.