A new study found that limited access to lupus lab tests in developing nations, particularly ANA tests, affects the usefulness of SLE diagnosis. The lack of testing, especially immunologic and hematologic studies, leads to discrepancies in diagnostic criteria adherence. The 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria performed better than o...
Annual spending on biologics in US public programs nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016 due to rising drug prices. Post-market price changes accounted for 56% of the five-year spending increase, with unit price hikes alone responsible for $1.7 billion of the growth.
A study found associations between environmental factors and organ-specific lupus flares, including temperature, ozone concentration, wind, humidity, PM2.5 concentration, and barometric pressure. The research suggests atmospheric changes may impact lupus clinical trial design and outcomes.
Researchers found ADA2 levels above normal limits strongly indicative of concomitant MAS in children with systemic JIA. The study establishes ADA2 as a valuable diagnostic marker to distinguish MAS from other forms of systemic inflammation.
Researchers found that using ultrasound to guide treatment strategy does not improve treatment decisions in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The study used MRI imaging to assess inflammatory activity and structural damage progression, but found no significant difference between the two groups.
A new study found that the live zoster vaccine is safe and effective in patients taking TNF inhibitors, with no cases of confirmed disseminated or local varicella infection. The researchers observed a very low risk of infection, with an upper bound confidence interval of approximately one percent.
A large cohort study found that children exposed to non-TNFi biologics or tofacitinib in utero experienced very few serious infections, with only two cases reported. The study provides the first data on infectious risk in offspring exposed to these drugs during pregnancy.
A new study published in JAMA found that patients with kidney dysfunction who were prescribed high doses of the muscle relaxant baclofen were more likely to experience cognitive-related symptoms such as severe confusion. The research team analyzed data from over 16,000 patients and found a significantly higher risk of hospitalization a...
A new study found that tocilizumab is more effective than rituximab in reducing disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have low B-cell infiltration in their synovial tissue. Tocilizumab achieved significant improvements in both low levels and falls in disease activity, particularly in the B-cell poor patient subgroup.
Researchers found that methotrexate significantly reduced joint damage progression compared to placebo in patients with erosive hand osteoarthritis, while also facilitating bone remodeling. The study's findings suggest that treatment should be initiated earlier to have a positive effect on pain.
Researchers found small, statistically significant benefits on pain and function with opioids, but no impact on quality of life or depression for patients with osteoarthritis. Strong opioids had consistently worse pain relief benefits and a greater risk of adverse events compared to weak opioids.
Patients with Down syndrome arthropathy experience a 11.5-month delay in diagnosis from symptom onset, and optimal therapy remains unclear due to medication intolerance and ineffectiveness. The study aims to raise awareness and improve screening for this condition.
A study found that RA patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer experience flares, with a 50% rate. The researchers also noted that the rate of immune-related adverse events was comparable to those without autoimmune diseases.
Researchers found that hydroxychloroquine significantly reduces the recurrence rate of congenital heart block in subsequent pregnancies, regardless of health status. The study evaluated 74 mothers who had a previous child with congenital heart block and were exposed to HCQ during pregnancy.
An observational study of nearly 16,000 older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) found that higher doses of the muscle relaxant baclofen were associated with a greater risk of hospitalization due to encephalopathy. The study suggests that patients with CKD may need closer monitoring when prescribed baclofen.
Research found that SLE Medicaid patients have a double 30-day death rate after coronary revascularization compared to diabetes patients, highlighting the need for further investigation into cardiovascular disease and overall health status in SLE patients.
A new study finds that gadolinium-enhanced MRI is a useful tool in diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), with 76% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The test can also predict recurrence, with patients who developed recurrences having less enhancement of their rotator cuff tendon and more synovial hypertrophy findings.
A recent analysis found increasing rates of acute kidney injury in pregnant women, especially those with diabetes. The study revealed a significant increase in the rate of hospitalizations involving acute kidney injury from 0.04% in 2006 to 0.12% in 2015.
A study of 4,567 hemodialysis patients found that those in residential areas with a high percentage of Black residents had significantly higher hospitalization rates. The association remained after adjusting for individual and community factors, suggesting unidentified health determinants at play.
Children with JIA continue to have active arthritis despite available medications, highlighting a need for additional treatments. Researchers found that 52% of patients had ongoing active JIA despite treatment with two or more biologics.
Researchers found that psoriasis onset age determines whether arthritis starts first, with a 65-month delay for arthritis onset after psoriasis. Early-onset psoriasis is strongly associated with arthritis onset, suggesting a different subgroup of PsA patients.
A study found that children with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of developing inflammatory and erosive arthritis. Researchers estimate that around 20 per 1,000 children with Down syndrome have this condition.
The American Society of Nephrology has honored five individuals for their outstanding contributions to kidney disease research, education, and clinical practice. Mitchell Rosner received the Robert G. Narins Award for his work in education and teaching, while Toshiro Fujita was recognized for his groundbreaking research on hypertension.
A six-week treatment with low-dose oral prednisolone substantially improves pain and decreases signs of inflammation in patients with painful hand osteoarthritis. Substantial improvements in pain and function were seen, exceeding effects of currently available therapies.
Researchers found a significant increase in opioid-use disorder hospitalizations among patients with common rheumatic conditions like gout, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. The study suggests that these patients are at risk of developing an opioid use disorder due to chronic musculoskeletal diseases.
Researchers have gained insights into how nanoparticles can be used to identify invasive microbes and deliver targeted treatments, potentially preventing deadly diseases contracted on medical equipment. The study, conducted by Monash University researchers, found that nanoparticles bound to fungal cells but were non-toxic to them.
A new study found that biologics improve clinical disease activity in both elderly-onset and young-onset rheumatoid arthritis patients similarly at 48 weeks. The researchers also discovered similar drug maintenance and adverse event discontinuation rates between the two age groups.