Lupus

Hair loss in systemic lupus erythematosus can indicate active disease, and nonscarring alopecia shows changes unique to lupus on histology and direct immunofluorescence, according to researchers in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

ATLANTA — Limited access to supportive laboratory assays in developing countries significantly reduces the diagnostic utility of the ACR/EULAR criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, which relies on an antinuclear antibody titer of 1:80 for its entry criterion, noted a presenter at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting.

ATLANTA — Although a 300 mg dose of anifrolumab failed to meet the primary endpoint of systemic lupus erythematosus responder index, a post-hoc analysis showed possible clinical benefit of the drug, according to a speaker at ACR/ARP 2019.

Clinical specialty setting and geographic region can affect the diagnosis timing of psoriatic arthritis, disease management and disease burden, according to researchers in a Healio Dermatology story comparing diagnoses within dermatology and rheumatology.

ATLANTA — Upregulation of the cGAS-STING pathway may be implicated in disease flares of systemic lupus erythematosus that are triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B light, according to a speaker at ACR/ARP 2019.

ATLANTA — The Lupus Foundation of America conducted two studies that aimed to help patients feel empowered and motivated to self-manage their disease, according to findings presented at ACR/ARP 2019.

Researchers compiled a treatment algorithm for cutaneous manifestations of lupus erythematosus based on data from 104 studies, according to a study presented at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Professionals annual meeting.

ATLANTA — A vast majority of patients with a cross-section of rheumatic diseases reported that pain, fatigue and mental health issues were those they would like researchers to track, according to a speaker at ACR/ARP 2019.

Researchers suggested there is a dose relationship between smoking exposure and cutaneous manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus, which highlights the importance of smoking cessation to improve outcomes, according to a presentation at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Professionals annual meeting.

ATLANTA — Among mothers with anti-Ro antibodies who had previously delivered a baby with congenital heart block, hydroxychloroquine was associated with a 50% in risk of that complication in subsequent pregnancies, according to a speaker at ACR/ARP 2019.