Autoimmune And Rheumatic Diseases
Prenatal hydroxychloroquine exposure not linked to major structural birth defects
The use of hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy is not associated with structural birth defects or any other outcomes, save for birth head circumference, according to data published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
COVID-19 pandemic led to fewer initial rheumatology visits, autoimmunity lab tests
The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it a significant decrease in autoimmunity laboratory testing, first rheumatology visits and diagnoses from 2019 to 2020, according to Italian data published in The Journal of Rheumatology.
‘Who do they call?’: Patient, provider education crucial for managing outpatient COVID-19
Pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis will be critical in managing outpatient COVID-19 infection in patients with immune-mediated conditions, according to speakers at ACR Convergence 2021.
Job loss, 'dose of poverty' worsen disability, mortality outcomes in rheumatic diseases
Unemployment and poverty can be significant drivers of poor outcomes in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, according to a keynote lecture at ACR Convergence 2021.
No link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and increased flare risk in rheumatic disease
mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were not linked to severe disease flares in patients with rheumatic diseases, although use of rituximab or mycophenolate mofetil dampened vaccine response, according to a presenter at ACR Convergence 2021.
Vitamin D, omega-3 supplements reduced risk for incident autoimmune disease
The use of vitamin D3 or omega-3 fatty acid supplements over a 5-year period may reduce the incidence of autoimmune disease in older adults by 25% to 30%, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2021.
Serious infection-related hospitalizations drop for PsA despite uptick in biologic use
Hospitalizations for sepsis, skin and soft tissue infections and UTI among patients with psoriatic arthritis “significantly” decreased over a 5-year period despite a rising uptake in biologics, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2021.
Transfusion dependence, valine gene variant increases mortality risk in VEXAS disease
Patients with VEXAS syndrome who were blood transfusion dependent or had a variant of the valine gene exhibited a threefold increased risk for mortality, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2021.
COVID-19 vaccine response in patients with lupus ‘blunted’ by immunosuppressant use
One-third of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus demonstrate low response to the COVID-19 vaccine, a “blunted effect” linked to use of any immunosuppressive agent except antimalarials, according to a presenter at ACR Convergence 2021.
Vaccinated yet vulnerable: COVID-19 and the immunocompromised patient
Nothing is easy in the management of COVID-19. Similarly, nothing is easy in managing immunocompromised patients. Marry the two and the challenges more than double.