Lupus News

Researchers using phenome-wide association studies found that men with systemic lupus erythematosus were at increased risk for atrial fibrillation compared with women, according to findings published in Arthritis Care and Research.

Patients with early inflammatory polyarthritis diagnosed within the new millennium experienced improved disease activity, compared with those diagnosed during the early 1990s, according to findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Few patients with inflammatory arthritis reported participating in a structured self-management care program, although many physicians reported providing self-management support within routine care, according to findings published in Arthritis Care and Research.

AstraZeneca has announced that MedImmune, its biologics research and development arm, will spin out a new, independent biotech company named Viela Bio, which will focus on developing medicines for severe autoimmune diseases, according to a press release.

A multicenter continuation of a phase 3 study confirmed that long-term treatment with belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is safe and efficacious, according to findings published in Arthritis and Rheumatology.

The NIH has released datasets from a phase 1 study characterizing individual cells in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus disease tissue, allowing members of the research community to “explore important research questions about these autoimmune conditions,” according to a press release.

Epratuzumab improved systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity among patients with associated Sjögren's syndrome, an effect not seen among patients without an associated diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Increased plasma levels of complements Bb and sC5b-9 early in pregnancy are strongly predictive of adverse outcomes among women with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibodies, researchers noted.

Rheumatology is a subspecialty in internal medicine and pediatrics that deals with the joints, soft tissues, autoimmune diseases and heritable connective tissue disorders. A rheumatologist specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and therapy of the rheumatic diseases.

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by pain, fatigue, sleep problems, mood issues and difficulty concentrating. It sometimes occurs in people with psychiatric issues, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.