Those with high systemic disease activity but low symptom burden fared worse over time. Medscape Medical News
Tag: Rheumatology
Generic SpA Screening Tool Needed Across Comorbid Diseases
A comparison of screening tools for SpA in conditions that commonly co-occur with the disease revealed few screening tool options for patients with uveitis or IBD, compared with psoriasis. Medscape Medical News
FDA OKs 10th Humira Biosimilar, Interchangeability Included
It is the tenth adalimumab biosimilar approved by the regulatory agency. Medscape Medical News
Short Steroid Taper Tested With Tocilizumab for GCA
Results from a pilot study examining a shortened prednisone taper of 8 weeks’ length rather than 26 weeks suggest it may be possible to reduce patients’ duration of exposure to glucocorticoids. Medscape Medical News
FDA OKs Ninth Humira Biosimilar, With Interchangeability
The drug, adalimumab-afzb (Abrilada), is the second adalimumab biosimilar approved with interchangeability status. It will be available later this month. Medscape Medical News
PET Scan at Diagnosis May Help Predict Aneurysm Risk in GCA
Patients with aortic inflammation detected by PET were at greater risk for developing aortic aneurysms, particularly thoracic aortic aneurysms. Medscape Medical News
HCQ Blood Level ‘Sweet Spot’ May Maximize Efficacy in Lupus
Researchers identified a blood-level reference range linked with 71% lower odds of active lupus. Medscape Medical News
SpA-Related Diseases Share Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis
Stool samples from patients with spondyloarthritis, acute anterior uveitis, and/or Crohn’s disease showed similarly low levels of certain bacteria, compared with samples from control patients. Medscape Medical News
Humira Biosimilars: Five Things to Know
The launch of eight adalimumab biosimilars so far this year ended Humira’s 20-year monopoly, but it’s not clear yet if these discounted drugs will save patients money. Medscape Medical News
What’s Holding Back Physicians From Prescribing Biosimilars?
Physicians surveyed from four different specialties reported that they were generally comfortable prescribing biosimilars, but greater discounts are needed to motivate switching patients from reference medications. Medscape Medical News
Best Estimates Made for Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Risk
Hydroxychloroquine dosing and retinopathy risk have long been a concern with its use. A new, comprehensive study finds that retinopathy diagnosis with cumulative dosing is actually low. Medscape Medical News
Lower HCQ Dose for Lupus Tied to Hospitalizations for Flares
Longer-term HCQ-induced retinopathy risk must be balanced with shorter-term risk for hospitalization for an SLE flare from a lower dose, researchers say. Medscape Medical News
Filgotinib Reduces Flare Risk in Uveitis in Phase 2 Study
Phase 2 data on filgotinib show a reduction in risk of flare in patients with uveitis and good tolerance in one of the first studies of a JAK inhibitor in uveitis. MDedge News
Spondyloarthritis May Go Undiagnosed in Many With Uveitis
More than half of patients with noninfectious acute anterior uveitis also had spondyloarthritis, suggesting that more patients with musculoskeletal symptoms should be referred to rheumatologists. MDedge News
Updated Uveitis Recommendations Address Treatment Escalation
The recommendations represent an update of 2018 consensus-based recommendations from the SHARE Initiative and the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline. Medscape Medical News
Secukinumab Sustained Remission of GCA After Steroid Taper
There was a substantial effect size for secukinumab vs placebo in sustaining remission for patients with giant cell arteritis, but a steroid-tapering protocol likely amplified the effect. Medscape Medical News
Twelve Medical Groups Oppose UHC Copay Accumulator Program
In an Oct. 7 letter to UHC, the 12 groups acknowledged that the drugs targeted by the accumulator policy are expensive. "However, they are also vitally important for our patients," the groups wrote. Medscape Medical News
JIA Arthritis and Uveitis Flares ‘Often Run Parallel’
Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis–associated uveitis are significantly more likely to experience a flare in their eye disease if their arthritis is also worsening. Medscape Medical News
JIA Arthritis and Uveitis Flares ‘Often Run Parallel’
Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?associated uveitis are significantly more likely to experience a flare in their eye disease if their arthritis is also worsening. Medscape Medical News
Unexpected Cause of Myopathy in Sjogren’s: Crack the Case
Dr Paget reminds us to keep non-autoimmune-related causes of muscle enzyme level elevation in mind when diagnosing a patient. Medscape Rheumatology