Cancer link disproven, high fracture risk and more news from Rheumatology Network

FRACTURE RISK IS HIGH IN LUPUS: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at an increased risk for fractures, new research shows. The risk is particularly high among patients with lupus nephritis. (©PollapatChirawongShutterstock.com)

FATIGUE IN LUPUS IS REAL:  Fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been linked to anti-NR2 antibodies, which responds to treatment with belimumab, a study shows. (©ArtemidaPsy,Shutterstock.com)

OBESITY-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IS NOT ALL THAT IT SEEMS:  It’s not just weight that could be contributing to degenerative changes in obesity-related osteoarthritis. In this Q&A, Dr. Clifford J. Rosen, director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, discusses the mechanisms of osteoarthritis. (©Design36Shutterstock.com)

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NSAID RISK?  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with a number of risk factors that can heighten a patient’s risk of major toxicity. Researchers reporting in Arthritis and Rheumatology have come up with a scoring system to measure a patient’s risk of developing major toxicity from NSAID use. (©AdobeStock_SherryYoung)

LUTIKIZUMAB FAILS AS PAIN TREATMENT FOR EROSIVE HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS: Lutikizumab does not improve pain or imaging outcomes for patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis, according to new research. (@NARStudio,shutterstock)

GOUT INCREASES RISK FOR HOSPITAL READMISSION AFTER HEART FAILURE: While gout does not increase the risk of death post-acute coronary syndrome, a new study shows the condition does increase an individual’s risk for readmission after heart failure, as well as the number of days he or she will spend on the hospital. (©Seneesriyota,Shutterstock.com)

HIGH BMI ASSOCIATED WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS:  Three studies presented this weekend at EULAR in Madrid suggest that being overweight or obese can heighten the severity or arthritic disease. (©Vadym, AdobeStock.com)

LUPUS NEPHRITIS REMISSION WITH CYCLOSPORINE, MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL, AZATHIOPRINE:  Lupus nephritis remained in remission for over 10 years in a group of patients who were treated with cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine, shows a study presented at EULAR in June. (©RomarioLen, AdobeStock)

10 CHALLENGES IN TREATING LUPUS:  We have come a long way since the introduction of glucocorticoids for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). But even with improved treatment and prognosis several challenges remain in the management of SLE. Here, we highlight the 10 most important challenges in treating patients with SLE. (MedicalIllustrations.com, 01AQM661)

NEW TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR BLOOD CLOTTING DISORDER:  EULAR has issued new treatment guidelines for antiphospholipid syndrome, a disorder of the immune system that causes blood clots. Among the recommendations, high risk individuals who carry the antiphospholipid antibody should take low-dose aspirin, even if they are asymptomatic.  (©Solarisys, AdobeStock.com)

AMERICAN INDIANS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME:  Sjögren’s Syndrome affects American Indians at a higher rather rate than other ethnic groups, but the lack of classically-associated disease symptoms makes diagnosis difficult, new research shows. (©Chaay_Tee, AdobeStock.com)

PSORIATIC ARTHRITS QUIZ: PHENOTYPES:  Is psoriatic arthritis a condition of childhood? n this installment of our psoriatic arthritis quiz series, we focus on phenotypes unique to psoriatic arthritis.  (Children, ©DragonImagesShutterstock.com)

PROCESSED FOODS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND HEIGHTENED MORTALITY RISK:  A high consumption of ultra-processed foods (i.e. almost any consumable food item, except fresh fruits and vegetables) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, show two studies in BMJ. (©WaveBreakMedia,AdobeStock)