Rheumatoid Arthritis News

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease exhibited a higher incidence of COVID-19 hospitalization than the general population, and those with rheumatoid arthritis are at a greater risk for severe outcomes, according to data.

Although the risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease has lowered, it is nonetheless still significant, according to data published in The Lancet Rheumatology.

Glucocorticoids, even at a low dose, may increase the risk for COVID-19, while immunomodulatory treatments appear safe for patients with inflammatory arthritis, according to data published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis does not appear to increase the risk for depression, suicide, suicidal ideation or psychosis, compared with sulfasalazine, according to data published in Rheumatology.

Using subclinical synovitis, rather than clinical arthritis, to identify rheumatoid arthritis produces a high false-positive rate, with 44% to 89% never developing the disease, according to data published in Rheumatology.

Patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 may be at greater risk for hospitalization, ICU admission, acute renal failure and venous thromboembolism, according to data published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Upadacitinib monotherapy improves patient-reported pain, physical function, morning stiffness and other measures in those with rheumatoid arthritis who never received, or had an inadequate response to, methotrexate, according to data.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus often avoided office visits and lab testing in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data published in The Journal of Rheumatology.

Using clinical data, serum biomarkers and multi-biomarker disease activity, researchers have developed and validated a prognostic score that can predict 3-year cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to findings.

Emerging research suggests a link between chronic stress and the development of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, according to a review published in Arthritis Care & Research.