Rheumatoid Arthritis News

Novartis has reached an agreement with the FDA clearing the way for the company to sponsor a large clinical trial studying the use of hydroxychloroquine among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, according to a press release.

Patients with both chronic inflammatory disease and inflammatory bowel disease demonstrated higher health use and costs, compared with those with just chronic inflammatory disease, according to data published in BMC Rheumatology.

Shortages of hydroxychloroquine, sparked by its still unproven potential as a COVID-19 treatment, may soon force rheumatologists to make difficult decisions regarding which of their patients receive the drug, and at what dosage, according to a study published in The Journal of Rheumatology.

More than 80% of surveyed U.S. pharmacists believe that hydroxychloroquine sulfate should be used as a potential treatment for COVID-19, raising access concerns among rheumatologists for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis who rely on the drug.

The FDA has approved an abbreviated new drug application for hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to address ongoing shortages of the drug sparked by its still unproven potential as a COVID-19 treatment.

Recent use of biologics or targeted synthetic DMARDs is not associated with an increased risk for mortality or readmission following hip fracture, abdominopelvic or cardiac surgery, compared with methotrexate, according to data published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Rheumatologists, rheumatology patients and the organizations who represent both have reacted this week with a mixture of hope and dread following the FDA’s decision allowing the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine to treat some patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

More than 50 rheumatology societies, including the American College of Rheumatology, have urged U.S. governors to ensure judicious use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for investigational COVID-19 purposes, given that these drugs are essential for many rheumatology patients.

An international group of more than a dozen rheumatologists have cosigned an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine discouraging the off-label use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, until said use is justified by data and the drug’s supply is replenished.

In the wake of increasing reports of hydroxychloroquine shortages in the United States, sparked by its still-untested potential as a COVID-19 treatment, the American College of Rheumatology has issued new guidelines on its scarce allocation.