News

Continuous low-dose glucocorticoid regimens are better than tapering for controlling disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis over a six-month period, show the results of the first double blind clinical trial to evaluate an oral glucocorticoid dose-tapering regimen with stable biological background therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Shoulder replacement surgeries are more common in the United States as a treatment for end-stage degenerative conditions. Researchers writing in the current issue of The Lancet Rheumatology, find that most shoulder replacements last longer than 10 years.

Vascular stiffness―which is often the precursor to a major cardiovascular event―appears to be present in early rheumatoid arthritis, shows a new study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Researchers in China write in the current issue of The Lancet Rheumatology that patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease might be more susceptible to COVID-19 infections than the general population.

A proportion of patients with COVID-19 are more prone to developing COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation regardless of age and comorbidity status, finds an observational study published on Friday in The Lancet Rheumatology.

A systematic review and meta-analysis recently published the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics finds that consuming sugar-sweetened beverages is significantly associated with increased serum uric acid concentrations associated with gout flares.

A retrospective study published in The Lancet Rheumatology shows that the long-term use of hydroxychloroquine to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients may increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality.

Atypical femur fracture risks are very low, but the risk rises with long-term use of bisphosphonate, study says.

Mortality rates after a bone fracture can be as high as 45% in the first year of a break, and while bisphosphonates can lower the risk of recurring fractures, it doesn't appear to lower the risk of death.

New analysis suggests use of FRAX score could improve the secondary prevention of fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

Data from the Women's Health Initiative Hormone Therapy trials presented at WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2020 details the reduced risk of fracture seen with hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.

An analysis of female adolescents admitted for anorexia nervosa found the condition could be linked to stunted growth.

Gilead expects topline results available from a pair of trials testing the new treatment in 2021.

The U.S. FDA has approved a third treatment for the rare autoimmune condition, Devic's disease. The condition is associated with blindness and paralysis and often coexists with other rheumatic conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

An analysis of physical activity from ages of 12-16 with bone mineral density at 25 years of age sheds light on the impact of increased high-intensity physical activity.

Persistence and adherence to parenteral osteoporosis therapies are suboptimal and worsen with time, a study finds.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk for osteoporosis. This heightened risk of osteoporosis can be due to a combination of factors: inactivity due to the pain and loss of joint function associated with the disease, a direct the rheumatoid arthritis disease process, and their treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In this quiz, test your knowledge on the risk of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis and how it should be treated.

Raloxifene is as effective as alendronate at preventing osteoporotic hip fractures in women, shows a new study.

An analysis of 25 trials indicates SGLT2s and metformin did not increase fracture risk and did not negatively impact bone mineral density among type 2 diabetics.

In an interview with Rheumatology Network, Dr. Beate Wieseler compares the effectiveness of biologic drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis after methotrexate fails.

The prior use of methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis patients doesn't seem to be associated with an increased risk of developing fibrotic interstitial lung disease, a common and potentially deadly complication of RA.

Patients with rheumatic disease tend to be at higher risk for developing a psychiatric disorder. This can complicate the treatment process at the detriment of the patient. In today's column, Dr. Kim Gorgens addresses managing a patient with mental illness.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death. How much do you know about cardiovascular risk related to rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment?

Researchers writing in Arthritis Care and Research this week report that rheumatoid arthritis patients actually have a lower rate of type 2 diabetes than people without RA or patients with hypertension, osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Wearable activity trackers are designed to monitor an individual's movement to achieve fitness goals, but researchers find they may have use in tracking gout flares.

It is important for clinicians considering prescribing denosumab treatment to counsel patients before its initiation on the importance of not delaying or discontinuing injections.

Policies must change to curb postoperative opioid overprescribing.

In this week's news roundup from Rheumatology Network, we talk with Dr. Jeffrey Sparks, a rheumatologist with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who recently addressed the importance of an interdisciplinary and individualized approach in treating rheumatic disease patients who have interstitial lung disease, a condition that can lead to worsen morbidity and mortality. Learn more in this interview.