Lupus News

Hydroxychloroquine use for systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis in the first trimester of pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk for major congenital malformations, according to data published in Rheumatology.

LuGENE, a blood test to predict lupus flares and quickly identify drug targets, is being made available to patients around the United States through an open-label study, according to a press release from the manufacturer.

The FDA has authorized the first chimeric antigen receptor T-cell clinical trial for children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a “significant decrease” in the risk for post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 among patients with rheumatic diseases, according to data published in The Journal of Rheumatology.

Vaccinations in general do not increase the risk for systemic lupus erythematosus, but hepatitis B vaccines may have a “significant connection” with the disease, according to a meta-analysis published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Among adults with arthritis, severe joint pain is significantly more prevalent in Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native patients vs. white patients, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

The common consensus for some time has been that the prevalence of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases has been on the rise.

Disparities in lupus ICU admission and renal outcomes between Black and white children are greater in children’s hospitals serving more Black patients, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Among patients with rheumatic diseases, the risk for cardiovascular comorbidity is highest during the period immediately before or after initial diagnosis, according to data published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.

Withdrawing mycophenolate mofetil therapy is not significantly inferior to maintenance treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have achieved low disease activity, according to data published in The Lancet Rheumatology.