Top in rheumatology: mRNA vaccine efficacy, COVID-19 testing rates
New data found COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were effective against hospitalization in U.S. veterans amid the delta surge, with an effectiveness rate similar to that before delta. A report on the data was the top story in rheumatology last week.
In another top story, data showed a 20% higher rate of COVID-19 testing among people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases than among the general population, although the rate of positive test results was similar in both groups.
Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below:
mRNA COVID-19 vaccines 87% effective at preventing hospitalization amid delta surge
Among U.S. veterans at five Veterans Affairs medical centers, mRNA vaccines were about 87% effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations amid the ongoing delta variant surge, according to data published by the CDC. Read more.
COVID-19 testing 20% higher among patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease
Patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases are tested for COVID-19 at a 20% higher rate than the general population, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. Read more.
Battling COVID-19 vaccine misinformation: What are you telling your patients?
Weeks ago, American rapper Nicki Minaj sparked an international incident when she tweeted out to her 22.6 million followers that her cousin in Trinidad had refused the COVID-19 vaccine because his friend became impotent after receiving it. Read more.
Hooked on Rheum with Norman B. Gaylis, MD
I grew up in South Africa, and my late father was a well-known general practitioner. I used to go along with him on house calls and that was my first hook in medicine, per se. I was drawn into it — and maybe that was his intention. Read more.
Oligoarticular PsA occurs in 47% of patients, presents similarly to polyarticular disease
Oligoarticular disease occurs in 47% of patients with psoriatic arthritis and presents similarly to polyarticular disease, often affecting small joints of the hands and feet, according to data published in The Journal of Rheumatology. Read more.