Rheumatoid Arthritis

In a new study, investigators set out to discover whether the Janus kinase-1 inhibitor filgotinib is efficacious, either in combination with MTX or as monotherapy, in patients with RA who have had limited or no MTX exposure.

A recent study published in The Journal of Rheumatology found no association between hydroxychloroquine therapy and heart failure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE).

Despite the limitations of the study, non-adherence rates were significantly reduced in patients observed throughout the 3 years, indicating that the methods developed and deployed were successful.

Investigators aimed to improve the quality of care by creating effective management plans using the goals of both the patient and physician. During the course of the Elderly Multimorbidity Clinic (EMC) program, 75% of patients accomplished at least 1 of their goals. Unfortunately, no sustained benefits were observed because of low follow-up.

A range of biologic therapies are available as options for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis who do not respond to first-line conventional DMARDs, but which to choose and why? Test your knowledge of biologics with this quiz.

“The most important take home message for rheumatologists is that we can predict lack of response to methotrexate by analyzing the fecal microbiome of patients before the initiation of the treatment,” said Jose Scher, MD, rheumatologist from the Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.

Although the stakes couldn’t be higher and the promotion of healthy behavior is paramount, the emphasis on BMI and weight is likely to yield little benefit. The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) developed Health at Every Size (HAES) to take the focus off of weight change and place it more squarely on health, thus supporting people of all sizes to take care of themselves and improve health outcomes.

Previously proven to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with RA, baricitinib can also help patients reduce joint damage progression and erosion.

Coupled with the fact that there were no new safety concerns identified, these findings further solidify the safety and effectiveness of abatacept for RA patients.

The study is the first randomized trial to examine the comparative benefits and safety of biological drugs with different modes of action versus active conventional treatment.

Continued use of low dose glucocorticoid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis also treated with stable DMARD therapy is associated with a small but significant risk of serious infection, show the results of a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

In rheumatoid arthritis, physician scientists are beginning to zero in on personalized medicine. In this interview, Dr. Leslie R. Harrold, chief scientific officer of Corrona, and a University of Massachusetts associate professor, summarizes a study she recently presented at ACR 2020 in which she describes biomarkers and patient characteristics she and her team have identified as taking us one step closer to precision medicine.

DMARDs improve vascular stiffness in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis regardless of impact on rheumatoid arthritis disease, shows new research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Patients with the rare skin disorder are at a notably heightened risk for developing arthritis, according to a large-scale cohort study

The annual direct costs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are estimated to range from $12,509-$36,053. A late diagnosis costs even more and one in 10 new RA cases are usually diagnosed late. In this presentation, Kathryn Johnson, RPh, of CVS Health breaks down the numbers.

In this slideshow, we take a look at some of our most popular stories on rheumatoid arthritis from thinking of the disease as two diseases instead of one, and new treatment approaches you may want to consider.

The American College of Rheumatology is expected to issue updated treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis no later than spring 2021. The new guidelines will include recommended uses for biologics approved since the last update in 2015―including JAK inhibitors.

In this week's news roundup from Rheumatology Network, we highlight studies presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, which wrapped this week. Among the stories we covered included a preview of the soon-to-be released rheumatoid arthritis guidelines, promising new treatments for lupus nephritis and advances in osteoporosis care. Learn more in today's news roundup.

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.

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.

In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, UK researchers showcase a study in which artificial intelligence was successfully used to identify ACPA positivity and CRP of greater than 12.3 mg/L to identify rheumatoid arthritis patients more likely to respond to sarilumab.

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.