Lifestyle Medicine Interventions Can Benefit Patients with Rheumatic Disease
Lifestyle medicine interventions, such as dietary changes, movement and mindfulness, in combination with conventional treatment, may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatic disease, according to panelists at ACR Convergence 2023. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 29, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Thomas R. Collins Tags: ACR Convergence Conditions Meeting Reports ACR Convergence 2023 anti-inflammatory diet (ITIS) Exercise lifestyle mindfulness physical activity Source Type: research
Genetic Influence on OA
In 59,970 twins aged 35 years or older, Magnusson et al. compared how much genetics contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) with the genetic contribution to other rheumatic/musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in the same population, while exploring the role of shared genetics in OA and other RMDs. The researchers used data from the Swedish Twin Registry, in addition to the Swedish National Patient Register. They concluded that the heritability (i.e., the total genetic contribution to a trait) of OA is relatively large compared with other rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 29, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Arthritis & Rheumatology Tags: Axial Spondyloarthritis Conditions Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders Psoriatic Arthritis Chronic pain Musculoskeletal Source Type: research
New Ways to Think about Polymyalgia Rheumatica
As they usually are, the pediatrics are absolutely correct: A child is not just a little adult. The same can be said for the eldest among us: Senior citizens are more than just old adults; they have their own biopsychosocial considerations that we, as rheumatologists, must tend to. Among all the conditions that we find... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 25, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, RhMSUS Tags: Conditions Opinion Other Rheumatic Conditions Rheuminations PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Source Type: research
Study Assesses Sarilumab for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
In an ACR Convergence 2022 session, Robert Spiera, MD, director of the Scleroderma, Vasculitis, and Myositis Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, discussed the use of sarilumab as a potential glucocorticoid-sparing therapy in a phase 3 study in patients with treatment-refractory polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), one of the most common inflammatory diseases... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 25, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum IL-6 IL-6 inhibitors PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Research Review sarilumab steroid-sparing therapies Source Type: research
FDA Approves Sarilumab for Adults with Glucocorticoid-Resistant Polymyalgia Rheumatica
On Feb. 28, 2023, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved sarilumab (Kevzara) for the treatment of adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) for whom glucocorticoids have proved inadequate or who cannot tolerate a glucocorticoid taper.1,2 Sarilumab is an interleukin (IL) 6 receptor antagonist. In May 2017, the FDA initially approved the agent for the... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 25, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum glucocorticoid resistant IL-6 IL-6 inhibitors PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Research Review sarilumab Source Type: research
How to Treat Refractory Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who had relapsed while tapering glucocorticoid therapy were more likely to achieve sustained remission at one year and have a lower glucocorticoid exposure if they were treated with sarilumab (Kevzara) plus a rapid, 14-week glucocorticoid taper than if they received placebo plus a standard, 52-week glucocorticoid taper. This is according... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 25, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Katie Robinson Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum glucocorticoid resistant IL-6 IL-6 inhibitors PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Research Review sarilumab Source Type: research
Study: Most Patients with PMR Aren ’ t Getting Steroid-Sparing Agents in First 2 Years
A minority of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who were new to rheumatology practice were prescribed steroid-sparing agents through two years of follow-up. This is according to a large, U.S.-based cohort study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, which also found that nearly two-thirds of the patients remained on glucocorticoids beyond one year.1 “Our study... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 25, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Katie Robinson Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum Glucocorticoids Methotrexate PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Research Review steroid-sparing therapies Source Type: research
When a JAK Inhibitor Fails
What Are the Therapeutic Alternatives When a Janus Kinase Inhibitor Fails to Work? SAN DIEGO—Treatment alternatives after Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor failure in real-life conditions were analyzed and presented at ACR Convergence 2023 by Pablo Francisco Muñoz Martínez, a rheumatologist at the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Sagunto, Spain.1 JAK inhibitors are newer, targeted... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 24, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP Tags: ACR Convergence Biologics/DMARDs Drug Updates ACR Convergence 2023 JAK inhibitors Janus Kinase Inhibitors Source Type: research
Study Probes Corticosteroid Dependence in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Background/Purpose Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) treatment is primarily based on long-term corticosteroids, which results in significant toxicities. Studies have shown that patients with PMR are exposed to years of corticosteroid treatment.1,2 In a single academic center cohort, we found that 76% of patients remained on steroids at the end of two years.3 In a second cohort... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 24, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Vivekanand Tiwari, MD, Emily Campbell, MD, Joshua Skydel, MD, Bryan Savage, MD, Monica Dimambro, Todd MacKenzie, PhD, & William F. Rigby, MD Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum Corticosteroids Glucocorticoids PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Research Review Source Type: research
How Prevalent Is Subclinical Giant Cell Arteritis in Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Background/Purpose It has been reported that 20–50% of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) have subclinical giant cell arteritis (GCA). The natural history of ultrasound-defined subclinical GCA in PMR is not known. Methods Twenty-five newly diagnosed PMR patients who met a clinical diagnosis for PMR, verified by two rheumatologists, were examined by ultrasound. All six branches... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 24, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Colm Kirby, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCPI, Rachael Flood, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCPI, Ronan Mullan, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCPI, Grainne Murphy, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCPI, & David Kane, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCPI Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum Vasculitis Giant Cell Arteritis giant cell arteritis (GCA) glucocorticoid resistant imaging PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica polymyalgia rheuma Source Type: research
Study: Patients with PMR Experience Fatigue, Sleep Disturbance & Mood Disorders
Background/Purpose Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is typified by pain and stiffness of the shoulder and hip girdles. Previous qualitative studies have highlighted the importance to patients of additional symptoms, including fatigue and sleep disturbance. These features of PMR are less recognized by clinicians and have not yet been quantified in the literature. Further, the adequacy of... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 24, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Jessica Leung, MBBS, FRACP, Claire E. Owen, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, David Liew, MBBS, FRACP, & Russell Buchanan, MBBS, MD, FRACP Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Other Rheumatic Conditions Research Rheum PMR FocusRheum Polymyalgia Rheumatica Source Type: research
An Interview with Dr. Paul Plotz
Editor’s note: Jan. 23, 2024. We have just learned that Dr. Paul Plotz passed away recently. Here, we republish an interview with Dr. Plotz from 2019. You can also learn more about Dr. Plotz in an oral history published by the National Institutes of Health. Rheumatologists who are outstanding clinicians, provide consistently exceptional care to... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 23, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Keri Losavio Tags: Patient Perspective Professional Topics Profiles Dr. Paul Plotz Lessons from Master Clinicians obituary Role Models in Rheumatology Source Type: research
Gout & Its Comorbidities
At ACR Convergence 2023, experts addressed important topics in gout research, including treating and preventing gout flares, lowering urate levels and managing comorbidities, as well as racial inequities in gout treatment, disease burden and outcomes. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 23, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Larry Beresford Tags: ACR Convergence Conditions Gout and Crystalline Arthritis Meeting Reports ACR Convergence 2023 Cardiovascular disease chronic kidney disease comorbidities Source Type: research
Dare to Say No
Experts Whitney Marvin, MD, and Jinoos Yazdany, MD, discuss how to find synergy between work & career to better manage work/life conflicts and avoid burnout as rheumatologists. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 23, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Larry Beresford Tags: ACR Convergence Career Meeting Reports ACR Convergence 2023 burnout physician burnout Source Type: research
The Future of SLE Treatment?
Georg Schett, MD, presented the latest research into CAR T-cell therapy for rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus & other conditions. These findings demonstrate remarkable and durable efficacy for the treatment, as well as the potential for disease remission in some patients. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 23, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD Tags: ACR Convergence Conditions Meeting Reports Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic Sclerosis ACR Convergence 2023 CAR-T cell therapy Source Type: research
