Top in rheumatology: RA guidelines, mavrilimumab for severe COVID-19

The American College of Rheumatology released its updated 2021 guidelines, which includes 44 recommendations on rheumatoid arthritis. A review of the recommendations was the top story in rheumatology last week.

In another top story, researchers of an ongoing, global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled transition phase 2/3 trial reported that mavrilimumab showed promise in patients with severe COVID-19. The treatment was tested in 116 patients in the U.S., Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Africa.

Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below:

ACR RA guidelines: 'Maximize' methotrexate use prior to DMARDs, avoid glucocorticoids

The American College of Rheumatology has released its updated treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis, with a strong emphasis on the use of methotrexate before adding or switching to DMARDs, according to the lead author. Read more.

Mavrilimumab linked to 65% reduced risk for mortality, ventilation in severe COVID-19

A single dose of the granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor antibody mavrilimumab was linked to reduced mortality and mechanical ventilation in patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19, according to a speaker at the EULAR 2021 Congress. Read more.

Air pollution linked to biologic failure in chronic inflammatory arthritis

Air pollution is a predictor of poor response to biological treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, according to a poster session at the EULAR 2021 Congress. Read more.

Patient global assessment in RA: Keep or replace? Experts debate utility in treat-to-target

While the patient global assessment has utility in measuring personal experience in rheumatoid arthritis, some experts believe that eliminating or replacing it with another measure may be preferable, according to presenters who debated the issue at the EULAR 2021 Congress. Read more.

Voclosporin plus standard care boosts 1-year renal response in lupus nephritis

Voclosporin, when added to mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose steroids, results in higher complete renal response rates in patients with lupus nephritis, compared with mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose steroids alone, according to data. Read more.