Rheumatology Network News Roundup

Aug 16, 2019

In today's news roundup from Rheumatology Network, we highlight recent findings from ACR Open Rheumatology that examine infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Plus, we conduct a Q&A from a presentation made at the Rheumatology Nurses Society on alternative treatments for rheumatology conditions.

RA Treatments Work, but Raise Infection Risk: Both TNF inhibitors and non-TNFi biologic DMARDs increase the risk of serious infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to conventional synthetic DMARDs. Despite the risk, the treatments are effective in reducing disease activity, researchers report. (©AdiruchNaChiangmai, AdobeStock)

RNS Q&A: Medical Marijuana and CBD Oils: One of the most common topics among healthcare providers and patients is the growing conversation around medical marijuana and CBD oils, particularly, it’s potential to alleviate pain and improve quality of life. In this Q&A, Nancy Delnay, a pediatric nurse practitioner with Akron Children’s Hospital, discussed the state of medical marijuana and CBD oils. (©Megaflopp, AdobeStock)

Psoriatic Arthritis Health Quiz: Is it axial PsA or AS? Axial psoriatic arthritis is sometimes confused with ankylosing spondylitis. What are the features that distinguish these conditions from each other? In this quiz, test your knowledge about this and other features of PsA. (©ÐÐ»ÑÐ³Ð°Ð¢ÐµÑÐ½Ð°Ð²ÑÐºÐ°Ñ,AdobeStock.com)

Vitamin D Benefits for Knee Osteoarthritis Are Inconclusive: The jury is still out on whether vitamin D supplementation can prevent and improve knee osteoarthritis, according to a review published in ACR Open Rheumatology. (©RSzatkowskiShutterstock)

Rapid Onset Knee Osteoarthritis May be Overtreated: Adults with rapid onset knee osteoarthritis that occurs and progressess within as little as four years, are more likely to receive pharmacological treatments or even surgery than those who live with the condition long-term. (©AndreyPopov,AdobeStock)

GCA Affects Black and White Patients Equally: A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology shows that giant cell arteritis affects black and white patients equally, despite previous reports that suggest the condition is relatively rare in black patients. (©RocketClips,AdobeStock)

DMARDs Effect on Bone Loss in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Modern pharmacologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritisare effective in controlling inflammation and preventing bone erosions however, a multitude of factors are likely to blame for ongoing bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis. (©Fineart1Shutterstock.com)