Autoimmune Disorders Archives - Rheumatology Advisor

Increased Prevalence of Hospital-Diagnosed COVID-19 in Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

By

June 24, 2020

Researchers evaluated the prevalence of hospital-diagnosed COVID-19 in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

doctor wearing mask providing mask oxygen treatment to patient

General Rheumatology

Q&A: Overview of COVID-19 in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases

By

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

June 18, 2020

In this Q&A, Maximilian Konig, MD, provides further insight into the overall effect of COVID-19 on patients with autoimmune diseases.

doctor using ipad, telemedicine, telehealth

General Rheumatology

The Autoimmune COVID-19 Project: A Patient-Centered Initiative

By

Meghna Rao

May 29, 2020

Study leads Shilpa Venkatachalam, MD, and Michael George, MD, discuss the highlights of a new initiative to track the effects of COVID-19 in autoimmune disorders.

General Rheumatology

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Plus MTX for P jirovecii Pneumonia Well Tolerated in Autoimmune Diseases

By

Bradley van Paridon

May 19, 2020

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis in combination with methotrexate (MTX) was shown to be successful and well-tolerated in patients with chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases.

Pediatric Rheumatology

Maternal Autoimmune Disorders May Be Risk Factors for Kawasaki Disease in Children

By

Morgan E. Meissner

April 23, 2020

Researchers examined the association between maternal autoimmune disorders and the risk for Kawasaki disease in offspring.

PCT manifests when hepatic UROD activity is <20% of normal.1 As porphyrins accumulate in the liver, they are transported to the skin, leading to phototoxicity as light exposure causes the porphyrins to release photons.1 Subsequently, patients develop blisters on sun-exposed areas of their skin, particularly the hands, face, neck, and forearms. These areas are also prone to blisters and peeling after mild trauma. When the lesions scar, they may resemble systemic scleroderma. In some cases, lesions become painful. Patients may also have abnormal hair growth, skin thickening, and hypopigmentation. PCT is diagnosed when elevated porphyrins are detected in the plasma. Urine and fecal studies can confirm the diagnosis when they show similarly elevated porphyrin levels, with urine typically showing excess uroporphyrin and 7-carboxylate porphyrin and feces showing excess isocoproporphyrin.6 Patients with a PCT diagnosis should be tested for HCV if their status is unknown. Photo Credit: Dr Harout Tanielian/Science Source.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sustained Virologic Response to HCV Therapy Does Not Decrease Incidence of SLE or RA

By

Bradley van Paridon

April 20, 2020

Patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) achieving sustained virologic response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy did not exhibit an effect on the incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis.

General Rheumatology

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

By

Dibash Kumar Das, PhD

April 2, 2020

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

General Rheumatology

Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis

By

Hannah Dellabella

February 4, 2020

Researchers assessed the prevalence and incidence rate of cardiovascular morbidity in patients with inflammatory arthritis and determined whether the coexistence of multiple autoimmune disorders was associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Family History of Autoimmune Diseases Associated With Increased Risk for RA

By

Rheumatology Advisor Contributing Writer

January 27, 2020

Researchers determined the association between family history of comorbidities in autoimmune disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.

General Rheumatology

Updated 2019 EULAR Recommendations for Vaccination in Adults With Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

By

Rheumatology Advisor Contributing Writer

September 12, 2019

A steering committee put together by EULAR has updated recommendations for vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.