Rheumatology
News from the FDA/CDC
FDA approves first tocilizumab biosimilar
Tocilizumab-bavi (Tofidence) will offer a lower-cost option for patients with autoimmune conditions, the drug manufacturer, Biogen, stated.
Feature
Tapering lupus drugs in stable patients: Large study outlines risks, benefits
A recent multinational, observational cohort study found that drug tapering warrants careful consideration of risks and benefits and is best...
Conference Coverage
Patients with rheumatism have premature immune system aging
Researchers have studied how the T-cell aging process translates into metabolic reprogramming of the T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis...
From the Journals
Mortality in ankylosing spondylitis: CV disease, drug abuse are big contributors
Heart failure and renal disease were the strongest contributing comorbidities to mortality in hospitalized patients with ankylosing spondylitis....
Conference Coverage
Sotatercept tied to disease modification in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Data unveiled at the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2023, held in Milan, suggest that sotatercept treatment has the capacity...
From the Journals
Extra-articular RA manifestations are in decline, but mortality is still a problem
The incidence of nonsevere extra-articular manifestations of RA decreased over time, likely because of a reduced incidence of rheumatoid nodules...
From the Journals
Early glucocorticoid bridging in RA supported by meta-analysis, but concerns remain
Conflicting view: A coauthor of the 2021 American College of Rheumatology guideline says glucocorticoid treatment should be avoided if at all...
From the Journals
Hydroxychloroquine blood level ‘sweet spot’ may maximize efficacy in lupus
Researchers identified a blood-level reference range linked with 71% lower odds of active lupus.
From the Journals
Colchicine still needed to prevent gout flares in allopurinol ‘start-low, go-slow’ strategy
Patients taking colchicine had fewer gout flares than did those taking placebo for the first 6 months, but the number evened out between the two...
Latest News
Precision blood test for rheumatoid arthritis receives Medicare coverage
The test helps to determine if patients with rheumatoid arthritis are unlikely to respond to anti-TNF therapies.
From the Journals
Osteoarthritis cases projected to balloon over next 30 years
In “a major challenge to health systems,” osteoarthritis may affect nearly 1 billion people in 2050.