Autoimmune And Rheumatic Diseases

Fatigue is not a new problem to rheumatologists, as we recognize it as one of the most common and difficult patient complaints that confronts us.

Cytokine profiles can distinguish patients with systemic sclerosis who are at high risk for, or have, pulmonary arterial hypertension from those with low risk and healthy controls, according to data published in Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Nintedanib slows the rate of forced vital capacity decline in patients with fibrosing autoimmune disease-related interstitial lung disease, with adverse events manageable for most, according to data published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Despite an overwhelming majority of rheumatologists reporting comfort and familiarity with biosimilars, 65% said they are “unlikely” to switch their patients from reference products until there is greater payer adoption, according to data.

Lack of antibody response following COVID-19 vaccination is the strongest predictor of breakthrough infection in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease, according to data published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Despite their increasing comfort with video and telemedicine visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, most rheumatologists at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs remain skeptical of the technology’s use for new patients, according to data.

Every so often, autoimmunity hits the mainstream media. Usually this happens when a celebrity bravely uses their place in the limelight to raise awareness by publicly sharing news about their diagnosis.

The American College of Rheumatology has updated its COVID-19 vaccine clinical guidance for patients with rheumatic diseases to recommend a fourth mRNA vaccine dose in patients receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy.

Just 0.7% of fully vaccinated patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease experience a breakthrough COVID-19 infection, while only 4.4% demonstrate disease flare reactions, according to data.

Few randomized clinical trials support using repository corticotropin injection for most FDA-approved indications, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, optic neuritis and nephrotic syndrome, according to researchers.