General Rheumatology

Tocilizumab Reduces Need for Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Pneumonia Trial

Patients treated with tocilizumab were 44% less likely to progress to mechanical ventilation or death compared with placebo.

CDC Removes New COVID-19 Guidelines Few Days After Posting Them

New CDC website guidelines suggesting that the new coronavirus can be transmitted by tiny droplets over a distance greater than six feet and that indoor ventilation is crucial to prevent its spread were removed from the agency’s website late Monday morning.

Aspirin May Be Considered for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Rheumatic Diseases

Study authors reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

patient in ICU, covid19, respiratory, hospital

New Drug Shows Promise in Preventing Severe COVID-19

A single infusion of an experimental drug dramatically lowers levels of coronavirus in the bodies of newly infected patients and cuts their chances of hospitalization.

$In patients with HIV, the disease process and ART may contribute to bone loss, resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis and increased fracture risk.3,10 Proinflammatory cytokines and viral load contribute directly to reduced bone mineral density through their effects on osteoclast and osteoblast activity, inhibiting new bone formation and accelerating bone loss.3 Other risk factors for bone loss or fracture in the HIV population include low body mass index, smoking, substance abuse, glucocorticoid therapy, hypogonadism, coinfection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, and vitamin D deficiency (affects ~90% of patients).3,11 Bone loss caused by ART emerges within 1 to 2 years after starting therapy.3,11 Tenofovir-based regimens are associated with higher rates of bone loss.3,11 Guidelines suggest avoiding tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or PI-boosting regimens in patients at high risk.3 Bisphosphonates (eg, alendronate or zoledronate) are recommended for those with HIV who have osteoporosis.3$