News

Older adults who self-report rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do not have a Medicare claims history consistent with their diagnosis, according to study.

Subcutaneous injection of tocilizumab has been shown to improve the rate of lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis-induced interstitial lung disease when compared with a placebo.

Research suggests that adults who experienced 2 or more traumatic events during childhood are at a 100% increased risk to develop rheumatic disease.

In patients with psoriatic arthritis refractory or intolerant to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), upadacitinib (Abbvie; Rinvoq) 15 mg and 30 mg once per day was more effective than placebo over 24 weeks in improving signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

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

The indication makes the IL-6 inhibitor the first biologic approved for treating pulmonary function in patients with the rare disease.

Readers may be surprised to hear that a high percentage of health professionals, about 70%, find it difficult to develop empathy with their patients.

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.

An analysis of data from the Veterans Health Administration is providing insight into the apparent increase in risk of fracture or osteoporosis among older adults with kidney or ureteral stones.

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.

In the second portion of this series, Dr. Concoff discusses the path forward in the evaluation and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Trials testing hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19 have produced mixed results.

An analysis of more than 30k middle-aged adults from a prospective cohort study in Sweden is providing insight into the effects of exercise and other variables on fracture risk in these patients.

“We found that initiation of febuxostat administration during an acute gout flare did not prolong acute flares, and the rate of ‘treat to target’ was higher in the febuxostat group,” investigators concluded. “This may increase patient compliance.”

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.

Investigators explored the connection between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an increased risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which concurrently correlated with worse patient-reported outcomes (PROs) cross-sectionally.

Improvements for pain did not sustain at the 12 month follow-up.

Generally, guidelines recommend beginning psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis). However, not all patients respond to this method. Ixekizumab (IXE) improved the signs and symptoms of PsA in patients who had exhibited inadequate response to 1 or 2 TNFis.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Rheumatology Network's highlights from the week ending February 19, 2021.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has published guidance regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination for patients with rheumatic diseases, with emphasis placed on prioritizing immunocompromised patients to receive the vaccine.

The drug is commonly used to treat diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, Behcet’s Syndrome, and plaque psoriasis.

Apremilast has been prescribed to more than 250,000 patients with plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis since it was approved in 2014.

A survey of providers within the IOF and NOF provides insight into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis across multiple regions throughout the world.

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.

A study published in Osteoporosis International focused on the changes that have occurred over the course of the pandemic for patients with osteoporosis and found that there have been delays in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning, problems with medication supply, a decrease in face-to-face consultations, and reductions in parenteral medication delivery.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Rheumatology Network's highlights from the week ending February 12, 2021.

An international survey shows an increase in telemedicine, but a decrease in out-patient care.

Dr David R. Karp, president of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), outlines some of the legislative and regulatory developments of last year that had significant impacts on rheumatology practices and provides a policy outlook for the year ahead.

Investigators set out to explore sedentary behavior, physical and mental limitations, the willingness of this patient population to engage in more regular exercise, how perceptive they were to using technology to support a more active lifestyle, and interventions to reduce sedentary time.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are known to have a greater risk of serious infections related both to the disease itself and its treatment. What can be done to reduce that risk? Test your knowledge with this quiz.