Amit Akirov, MD, Author at Rheumatology Advisor

Gastrointestinal Transit Abnormalities Associated With Severe GI Symptoms in Scleroderma

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 19, 2020

Researchers evaluated the contribution of abnormal GI transit to systemic sclerosis Medsger GI severity scores and/or UCLA GIT 2.0 symptoms.

surgeon reaching for tools on operating table

Rheumatoid Arthritis Advisor

Timing of Infliximab Infusion Prior to Surgery and Post-Operative Infections

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 18, 2020

Withholding TNF inhibitors before surgery has been recommended due to concern for post-operative infection.

Periarticular bone erosions are a diagnostic feature of RA and are detected using radiographic imaging.1,6 They result from progressive periarticular osteoporosis resulting from an imbalance between bone resorption and inadequate bone formation at the joint margins.7 On imaging, they appear as breaks in the cortical bone accompanied by loss of subchondral trabecular bone and bone marrow edema.1,6 Although bone erosions occur in healthy people or patients with other joint diseases, they are more severe in patients with RA.6 Bone erosions arise early in the course of RA (within a few weeks to a few months of onset in some patients).1,7 They most often affect metacarpophalangeal joints and predict more severe disease.1,7 Approximately 63% of patients with RA have erosions at diagnosis.1 Seropositivity and smoking increase the risk for bone erosions.1 Evidence suggests DMARDs and the nuclear factor-kB ligand inhibitor denosumab can prevent progression of bone erosions, but no treatment appears to repair erosions.1,2,7

Rheumatoid Arthritis Advisor

Effect of Denosumab on Joint Destruction in Subgroups of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 18, 2020

Year long treatment with denosumab reduced the progression of joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Advisor

Prevalence and Importance of Autoantibodies in Patients with Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 18, 2020

The current case-control study aims to determine the frequency of additional autoantibodies and the clinical phenotypes among patients with seronegative RA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Advisor

Methorexate May Reduce the Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 18, 2020

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the strength of the association between exposure to methotrexate and the rate of development of type 2 diabetes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Study Supports Safety, Efficacy of Switching Between Upadacitinib and Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 16, 2020

Researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of switching between upadacitinib and adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with nonresponse or incomplete response to initial therapy.

ACR Convergence 2020 Gout In-depth

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography More Accurate Than Ultrasound for Gout Diagnosis

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 16, 2020

Study authors evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography vs ultrasound, or their combination, for the diagnosis of gout.

ACR Convergence 2020 Gout In-depth

High Serum Urate Levels Associated With Poorer Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients With Gout

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 16, 2020

Study authors evaluated the association between serum urate levels and health-related quality of life in patients with gout.

A doctor and nurse making rounds in a hospital room.

ACR Convergence 2020 Gout In-depth

Gout Linked to Increased Length of Hospital Stay in Patients With Heart Failure Exacerbation

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 16, 2020

Study authors examined the effect of gout diagnosis and flare on length of hospital stays in patients with heart failure exacerbation.

ACR Convergence 2020

Cross-Cutting Disease Factors Predictive of Mental Health in Youth With Rheumatologic Disease

By

Amit Akirov, MD

November 12, 2020

Study authors identified cross-cutting disease factors affecting the mental health of youth with rheumatologic disease.

Amit Akirov, MD

All articles by Amit Akirov, MD

Gastrointestinal Transit Abnormalities Associated With Severe GI Symptoms in Scleroderma

Timing of Infliximab Infusion Prior to Surgery and Post-Operative Infections

Effect of Denosumab on Joint Destruction in Subgroups of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Prevalence and Importance of Autoantibodies in Patients with Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Methorexate May Reduce the Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Study Supports Safety, Efficacy of Switching Between Upadacitinib and Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography More Accurate Than Ultrasound for Gout Diagnosis

High Serum Urate Levels Associated With Poorer Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients With Gout

Gout Linked to Increased Length of Hospital Stay in Patients With Heart Failure Exacerbation

Cross-Cutting Disease Factors Predictive of Mental Health in Youth With Rheumatologic Disease

Assessing the Effect of Cannabis Use on Pain in Rheumatic Diseases