Top in rheumatology: Alcohol consumption and arthritis; treatment delays amid COVID-19
A recent study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who consumed alcohol reported lower baseline disease activity and more favorable 1-year outcomes compared with non-drinkers.
“A large number of studies have reported an inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and rheumatoid arthritis risk and this concept has been supported by several systematic reviews and meta-analysis,” Lars Alfredsson, PhD, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and colleagues wrote.
It was the top story in rheumatology last week.
Another top story was about the impact of COVID-19 on rheumatology care. During the pandemic, rheumatologists often reported delaying or discontinuing advanced treatments for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below.
Alcohol consumers report lower RA disease activity, better outcomes vs non-drinkers
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who consume alcohol report lower baseline disease activity and more favorable 1-year outcomes than those who abstain, according to data published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Read more.
Rheumatologists report delaying, discontinuing advanced treatment during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid adoption of telehealth among rheumatologists and a delaying of advanced treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, according to data published in Rheumatology Advances in Practice. Read more.
Bimekizumab achieves significant, rapid improvements in axial spondyloarthritis
The use of bimekizumab to inhibit both interleukin-17A and IL-17F was well-tolerated and impactful in improving axial spondyloarthritis outcomes across two phase 3 trials, according to data published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Read more.
Parent, infant postpartum rehospitalization more common in patients with RA, lupus
Adverse events and outcomes are more common in pregnant patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and their infants, vs. those without rheumatic diseases, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. Read more.
Hooked on Rheum with Gwenesta B. Melton, MD
During my internal medicine training, I was fascinated by immunology and marveled at the antigen and antibody formations formulated with exposures to medications, environmental agents or genetic predispositions. Read more.