Top in rheumatology: Protecting immunocompromised, active psoriatic arthritis treatment

The rheumatology community is looking for ways to protect immunocompromised patients amidst low COVID-19 vaccination rates and poor vaccine response among vulnerable individuals. It was the top story in rheumatology this week.

The communities’ look into pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a decades-old standby of the infectious diseases community, to protect the vulnerable was the top story in rheumatology this week.

Another top story covered the FDA’s approval of Rinvoq, a once daily oral JAK inhibitor for adults with active psoriatic arthritis who have had an inadequate response, or intolerance to TNF inhibitors.

Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below:

PrEParing for the next phase of COVID-19: Protective layers for immunocompromised patients

Suboptimal COVID-19 vaccination rates in the general population and poor vaccine response in the immunocompromised have forced the rheumatology community to look beyond the specialty in trying to protect vulnerable individuals from the virus. Read more.

FDA approves Rinvoq for patients with active psoriatic arthritis

The FDA has approved Rinvoq, a 15-mg, once-daily oral JAK inhibitor, for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis who have had an inadequate response, or intolerance to, TNF inhibitors, according to an AbbVie press release. Read more.

Nearly one-third of rheumatology drug regimens shifted at time of COVID-19 vaccination

As many as 27.9% of immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive regimens were changed around the time of COVID-19 vaccination, with patients responsible for most modifications, according to data published in The Lancet Rheumatology. Read more.

Patients, clinicians express 'strong' preference for in-person visits over telemedicine

Rheumatology patients and clinicians alike express a “strong” preference for in-person visits rather than telemedicine, citing concerns over reduced assessment accuracy and increased inequality for vulnerable groups, according to data from the U.K. Read more.

Prenatal hydroxychloroquine exposure not linked to major structural birth defects

The use of hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy is not associated with structural birth defects or any other outcomes, save for birth head circumference, according to data published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Read more.