News

The risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was reduced by 19% with every increase in a healthy lifestyle index score (HLIS). The risk of dsDNA positive SLE reduced 22% with the addition of each healthy behavior. Those with genetic risk factors may be able to reduce their risk of SLE diagnosis by almost 50% with adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors.

After controlling for variables, eldery-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) was not indicative of changes in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores over time when compared with a non-EORA cohort. Further, there were no significant differences in the efficacy and safety of receiving biologic/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs).

“Our study confirms challenges in selecting an appropriate outcome in interventional studies targeting medication adherence and the ways in which the lack of guidance in this area hinders research and limits our ability to compare interventions and draw conclusions about their effectiveness,” stated investigators.

Common immunosuppressant therapies for patients with rheumatic disease, such as methotrexate and targeted biologics, increase risk of serious infection, especially with respiratory pathogens. A recent study investigates the connection between these drugs and functional humoral immunity to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech).

Treat-to-target remains a key strategy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, some changes to the recommendations were made in the 2021 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines on the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Check your knowledge on how to approach a treat-to-target strategy with this quiz.