Lupus News

Arthritis and hypertension are the two most prevalent chronic conditions among U.S. veterans aged 25 years and older, according to data published by CDC researchers in National Health Statistics Report.

Just 41% of Medicaid beneficiaries with systemic lupus erythematosus receive hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine within 2 years of diagnosis, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Researchers have used machine learning to develop and validate a new model that can produce individualized risk probabilities for systemic lupus erythematosus, according to findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

With proper dosing — 5 mg/kg or less per day — the risk for retinal toxicity associated with hydroxychloroquine use is less than 2% for up to 10 years, according to a joint statement from four medical societies.

Moderate and high disease activity, as well as the use of immunosuppressants, were associated with a higher risk for COVID-related death in patients with rheumatic diseases, according to data in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Patients’ response to anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapy for advanced melanoma, and their incidence of immune-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher, were similar regardless of preexisting autoimmune disease, according to data.

An intensified B-cell depletion induction therapy without maintenance immunosuppression was no less effective than standard of care for treating lupus nephritis, researchers found.

Several emerging therapies for lupus have shown promising results in the past year, with anifrolumab and obinutuzumab potentially attracting FDA attention, according to a speaker at the Basic and Clinical Immunology for the Busy Clinician symposium.

Severe renal arteriosclerosis is associated with a nine times greater risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients with lupus nephritis, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Physical inactivity confers a “greater than threefold increased risk” for developing depression within the next 2 years among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.