Top in rheumatology: COVID-19 treatment authorization; a personal story of long COVID

Last week, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Kineret for certain hospitalized patients with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen.

More specifically, Kineret (anakinra, SOBI) is authorized for those who are at risk for progressing to severe respiratory failure and likely to have an elevated plasma soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, according to the FDA. It was the top story in rheumatology last week.

Another top story was an editorial from Leonard H. Calabrese, DO, the chief medical editor of Healio Rheumatology, about his personal journey with long COVID, which he has been wrestling with since a breakthrough infection in July 2021.

Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below.

FDA issues emergency use authorization for anakinra to treat COVID-19

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for anakinra injection in the treatment of COVID-19 among hospitalized adults with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen. Read more.

Long COVID and me: A true story

I am very happy to see us featuring long COVID again after our initial foray in Healio Rheumatology in February. Joining me in this discussion are several astute colleagues including Aranka Ballering, MSc,Andrew J. Laster, MD, and Jeffrey A. Sparks, MD, MMSc, who provide insightful comments and have raised many of the unanswered questions surrounding this disorder. Read more.

Patients with autoimmune diseases more likely to develop cardiovascular disease

Patients with autoimmune diseases may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease than patients without autoimmune diseases, according to data published in The Lancet. Read more.

Patients with systemic sclerosis face ‘markedly higher risk’ for heart failure

Patients with systemic sclerosis demonstrate a “markedly higher risk” for heart failure, but not asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction, compared with those without the disease, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. Read more.

ACR: Any consistent exercise ‘advised over no exercise’ for rheumatoid arthritis

Patients being treated for rheumatoid arthritis are strongly advised to engage in physical exercise when possible, according to new recommendations from the American College of Rheumatology. Read more.