General Rheumatology

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Reaches 90% Effectiveness in Early Analysis

A new vaccine developed by Pfizer and the German biotechnology firm BioNTech was more than 90% effective at protecting people from COVID-19.

NIH: Hydroxychloroquine Not Effective for COVID-19

The ORCHID trial was halted in June 2020 after it was determined that hydroxychloroquine was unlikely to benefit hospitalized patients.

Interim Data Show COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate mRNA-1273 Nearly 95% Effective

A phase 3 trial evaluating the vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 against COVID-19 met its primary efficacy end point in the first interim analysis.

Disease Burden of Serious Infections Increased in Sjögren Syndrome

Study authors assessed the incidence, time-trends, and outcomes of serious infections in Sjögren syndrome.

Addition of Azithromycin to Hydroxychloroquine Does Not Improve Outcomes in Severe COVID-19

Study authors assessed whether azithromycin in addition to a hydroxychloroquine regimen shows positive results in clinical improvement or mortality reduction in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

Global Burden High for Musculoskeletal Disorders

The global burden of musculoskeletal disorders is considerable, but prevalence and DALYs have decreased slightly since 1990.

Assessing the Effect of Antimalarial Drug Shortages in Rheumatic Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Patient Experience Survey was used to assess the effect of antimalarial drug shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurologic Manifestations of COVID-19 May Involve Cytokine Release Syndrome

Neurologic disturbances in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 were accompanied by evidence of cytokine release syndrome.

COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation: Ethical Concerns, Practical Challenges

In the event of a likely scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines, a framework must be developed to inform who should get priority.

Sarcoidosis Diagnosis and Detection: Summary of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Clinicians should use caution when interpreting the guidelines for the diagnosis and detection of sarcoidosis and must consider unique individual clinical circumstances when managing these patients.

Convalescent Plasma Has Limited Benefit for Moderate COVID-19

For patients with moderate COVID-19, convalescent plasma does not reduce progression to severe COVID-19 or mortality.

Findings Conflicted for Benefit of Tocilizumab in COVID-19

Tocilizumab may be beneficial for adults with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU although other findings are conflicting.

Vertebral Fractures Marker of Poorer Prognosis in COVID-19

Vertebral fractures (VFs) are a clinical marker of fragility and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

Vitamin D Deficiency More Common in Patients With COVID-19

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 more often have a vitamin D deficiency than population-based controls.

Severe COVID-19 May Not Cause Cytokine Storm

Cytokine levels in severely, critically ill COVID-19 patients are much lower than in other inflammatory syndromes.