Rheumatoid Arthritis News

The characteristics of MRI-detected joint erosions that are specific to rheumatoid arthritis appear infrequently, and may overlap with erosion scores among asymptomatic individuals and patients with other arthritides, according to findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Sirukumab doses of 50 mg every 4 weeks, as well as 100 mg every 2 weeks, were generally tolerated, with measurable efficacy, among patients in Japan with rheumatoid arthritis who had previously failed to respond to methotrexate and sulfasalazine, according to findings published in Arthritis Research and Therapy.

Sandoz received a positive opinion the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for its proposed infliximab biosimilar for the treatment of all indications of its reference product across rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology, according to a manufacturer release.

The FDA has approved changing the boxed labeling on certolizumab pegol to include data demonstrating a negligible-to-low risk for drug transfer through placenta and a minimal risk for transfer through breast milk among women with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Although red cell distribution width is a good prognostic indicator for cardiovascular disease and survival, its predictive value is negated among patients who are treated with methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis, according to findings published in BMC Rheumatology.

When describing the experiences of those with rheumatoid arthritis, media platforms in the United Kingdom most frequently use negative terms, such as “crippling” or “attack,” and often characterized patients as “sufferers” or “victims,” according to findings published in BMC Rheumatology.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who switched from adalimumab to the biosimilar adalimumab-adbm experienced no significant differences in efficacy, safety or immunogenicity, according to findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Family and friends often serve as “health care supporters” for individuals with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart failure, cancer, arthritis and depression, but new research shows that these supporters frequently feel left out by health care providers and wish that they knew more about their loved one’s condition and how to help manage their illness.

The use of biologic medications for autoimmune diseases prior to or during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery or infants that are small for gestational age, according to findings published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a broad baseline autoantibody profile correlated with a better response to early treatment, according to findings published in Arthritis Research and Therapy.