Rheumatoid Arthritis News

Among rheumatologists, nephrologists and neurologists who issued more than 10 prescriptions for corticotropin in 2015, 88% received payments from its manufacturer — with more than 20% receiving more than $10,000 — despite the drug’s considerable cost and the dearth of evidence in support of its use, according to findings published in JAMA Network Open.

Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis who achieved remission after they were treated with either tocilizumab monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate, low disease activity was maintained following tocilizumab discontinuation in more than half of individuals, according to findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health along with international experts are asking for health authorities to address the burden of musculoskeletal conditions, which affect one in three people internationally, according to recent research published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

AMSTERDAM — Despite current treatment recommendations, fewer than half of women of childbearing age with chronic rheumatic diseases reported visiting a health care professional prior to becoming pregnant, and a majority of these women had to initiate discussions of family planning themselves, according to data presented at the EULAR Annual Congress.

AMSTERDAM — Patients frequently followed their rheumatologist’s recommendations regarding treatment escalation, whereas rheumatologists commonly cited patient reluctance as the primary reason treatment changes were not made, according to data presented at the EULAR Annual Congress.

Fatigue has a significant and independent effect on absenteeism, presenteeism, productivity loss and activity impairment among patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are beginning treatment with etanercept, according to findings published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

More than 30% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis either switched or discontinued their diseasemodifying antirheumatic drug treatment following a cardiovascular event, according to findings published in Arthritis Care and Research.

AMSTERDAM — No differences were reported in malignancy incidence between patients with rheumatoid arthritis newly treated with tocilizumab vs. TNF inhibitors, according to findings presented at the EULAR Annual Congress.

AMSTERDAM — Siblings of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were 23% more likely to have acute coronary syndrome compared with matched individuals-siblings in the general population, according to findings presented at the EULAR Annual Congress.

AMSTERDAM — The use of certolizumab pegol for rheumatic diseases or inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations or fetal death compared to the general population, according to data presented at the EULAR Annual Congress.