Top in rheumatology: Vaccination in transplant recipients, COVID-19-associated vasculitis
Recent studies revealed low antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination among solid organ transplant recipients. A review of the findings was the top story in rheumatology last week.
Another top story featured an interview with Dennis McGonagle, PhD, FRCPI, a professor at the University of Leeds, who discussed the implications of new study findings that indicate patients with severe COVID-19 infection may develop cutaneous lesions similar to vasculitis.
Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below:
Organ transplant recipients 'should not assume immunity' from COVID-19 vaccine
Only 54% of solid organ transplant recipients demonstrate evidence of antibody development after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, according to data in a pair of research letters published in JAMA. Read more.
New wrinkle in COVID-19 care: COVID-associated vasculitis or vasculitis mimic?
Clinicians who treat vasculitides are accustomed to uncertainty. Vasculitis, in its varied forms, shares symptoms with an entire cross section of unrelated conditions that can prompt frequent misdiagnoses and potentially fatal treatment decisions. Read more.
FDA panel narrowly endorses avacopan for ANCA-associated vasculitis amid efficacy concerns
The FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee recently voted 10-8 that the safety and risk-benefit profiles for 30 mg dose of avacopan were sufficient to support its approval for the treatment of adult patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. Read more.
Cannabis may slightly reduce RA disease activity based on 'very uncertain' evidence
Cannabis, cannabis-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids may slightly decrease rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. Read more.
No link between NSAIDs, more severe COVID-19
There is no association between the use of NSAIDs and increased COVID-19 severity or mortality, according to data published in The Lancet Rheumatology. Read more.