General Rheumatology

ACR Recommendations for Hydroxychloroquine Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The American College of Rheumatology released guiding principles for the allocation, use, and management of hydroxychloroquine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

elderly patient wearing oxygen mask, COVID19

Severe COVID-19 Risk Increased With Existing Health Conditions in the US

In the US, individuals with underlying health conditions have an increased risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Severe Illness Reported With Nonpharmaceutical Chloroquine Misuse for COVID-19 Prevention

The product that sickened the couple was in powder form and was labeled “for Ornamental Fish Use Only.”

Influenza Vaccine Associated With Reduced Respiratory Morbidity, Mortality Risk in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Researchers investigated whether the influenza vaccine was effective in preventing respiratory morbidity, mortality, and all-cause mortality in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Abbott’s Point-of-Care COVID-19 Test Delivers Results Within Minutes

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Abbott ID Now™ COVID-19 test, a molecular point-of-care test that delivers results within minutes.

Tofacitinib Linked to Rapid, Consistent Improvement of Pain in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Researchers described the efficacy of tofacitinib in reducing pain in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

healthcare worker wearing protective gear on laptop

Workers at Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Can Access Online Training

The National Institutes of Health has launched a new website with educational resources for workers at risk for exposure to COVID-19.

Combined Interventions May Reduce Number of SARS-CoV-2 Infections

Combined interventions of quarantining infected individuals and their family members can reduce the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Clinical trials show that PROs are sensitive enough to differentiate between active treatment and placebo and they correspond with standard LDA assessments.2,4,5 A trial that compared tofacitinib with methotrexate found at least 70% of patients with clinically significant improvements in Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), or ACR70 remission scores also had significant improvement in physical function and pain.5 In another trial, which combined a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor with methotrexate, data showed moderate to high concordance between the SDAI, CDAI, and PROs.6 Instruments like the SDAI and CDAI, which use a composite of swollen and tender joints and patient and physician global assessment to measure LDA, appear to weigh joint counts heavier than PROs.2 As a result, investigators are considering a broader range of PROs to help understand heterogeneous treatment responses and identify outcomes that are most important to patients.

No Additional Risk for Hepatobiliary Events With Biosimilar Etanercept vs Originator in Inflammatory Joint Disease

Researchers explored the incidence rates of hepatobiliary events in the first 6 months of routine treatment with the biosimilar etanercept or an originator drug in inflammatory joint disease.

COVID-19 in Italy: Ethical, Logistic and Therapeutic Dilemmas Plague Physicians

Italy’s health care system is highly regarded, having more hospital beds per capita than the United States.

pregnant woman in doctor office for checkup

Addressing COVID-19 Concerns in Pregnant Women With Rheumatic Diseases

In this interview, Jane E Salmon, MD, provides insight into the risk for COVID-19 in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases.

Shortages Seen for Drugs That Show Promise Against COVID-19

Strong demand for medications that show promise as treatments for COVID-19 have led to shortages of those drugs in the United States.

Serial Interval of COVID-19 Estimated at 3.96 Days

The serial interval of COVID-19, defined as the time between a primary case and secondary case developing symptoms, is 3.96 days.

ACR Recommendations for Managing Reproductive Health in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Experts provided recommendations on contraception, assisted reproductive technologies, fertility preservation, menopausal hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, and medication use in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

FDA: Studies Underway to Evaluate Chloroquine for COVID-19

The FDA announced that it is working closely with other government agencies and academic centers to investigate the potential use of chloroquine for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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