Immunosuppressant

While certain rheumatology drugs are associated with increased hospitalizations in COVID-19, individuals with rheumatologic diseases largely experience outcomes comparable to general population, according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit.

Moderate and high disease activity, as well as the use of immunosuppressants, were associated with a higher risk for COVID-related death in patients with rheumatic diseases, according to data in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The addition of eltrombopag to standard immunosuppressive therapy appeared safe and increased response rates among transplant-ineligible patients with severe aplastic anemia, according to results of the randomized phase 3 RACE trial.

No differences in renal outcomes were observed after 10 years in patients with IgA nephropathy who had immunosuppression added to supportive care vs. supportive care alone, according to study results.

As far as hot-button health care topics go, it is hard to top vaccines. Even dropped into a casual conversation, the idea itself — and this includes the slang term for opponents of vaccination — can cause tension and divisiveness.

Screening all patients with solid tumors for hepatitis B before they underwent chemotherapy was the most cost-effective strategy, compared with not screening or only screening high-risk patients, according to a published study.

Cannabis users, particularly people with cannabis use disorder, had higher 18-kDa translocator protein levels than non-cannabis users, researchers reported in JAMA Psychiatry.

Atopic dermatitis, one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions, begins in many patients by age 1 year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Globally, an estimated one in five children is affected by the disease. The prevalence is higher among children in developed countries, including the United States, and it may be increasing, researchers suggest.