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
Tag: Rheumatology
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
EU Panel Recommends Humira Biosimilars Idacio, Kromeya
The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has recommended marketing authorization for two biosimilars that are highly similar to Humira (adalimumab, AbbVie). International Approvals
Tocilizumab With Steroid Taper Superior in GCA
Tocilizumab plus a 26-week prednisone taper was superior to either a short or long course of tapered prednisone treatment plus placebo in patients with giant cell arteritis, a study has found. Medscape Medical News
FDA Approves Tocilizumab (Actemra) for Giant Cell Arteritis
The FDA has expanded the approved use of subcutaneous tocilizumab (Actemra, Hoffman LaRoche) to include treatment of adults with giant cell arteritis. FDA Approvals
JIA Uveitis Control Improved With Adalimumab + MTX
Adding adalimumab to MTX for treatment-resistant uveitis was associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis improved disease control and enabled many patients to reduce or stop topical glucocorticoids. Medscape Medical News
Concern Raised About High Hydroxychloroquine Dosing
Ophthalmologists’ guidance on safe doses for hydroxychloroquine was not followed for approximately half of rheumatology patients treated with hydroxychloroquine, a new study showed. Medscape Medical News
Gut Microbes Activate T Cells Causing Autoimmune Eye Disease
Commensal microbes in the gut can activate retina-specific T cells that go on to cause autoimmune uveitis in a mouse model, researchers report. Reuters Health Information
HIV Plus Uveitis: Call the… Rheumatologist?
A team of ophthalmologists and HIV specialists were not sure what to do with this complicated patient, so they turned to the rheumatologist to help with a treatment decision. Medscape Rheumatology
TNF Inhibitor Therapy Effective for Behcet’s Disease Uveitis
When uveitis due to Behcet’s disease fails to respond to conventional therapy, anti-TNF-alpha therapy may help, according to a Spanish study. Reuters Health Information
Outcomes in Neuro-Behçet’s
Neuro-Behcet’s is a severe condition, and this characteristic makes it worse. Medscape Rheumatology