Nerve blocks show efficacy in knee osteoarthritis

Researchers report that patients with knee osteoarthritis have achieved significant short-term pain relief with ultrasound-guided genicular nerve blocks (GNB), locally injected anesthetics that block nerves around the knee joint. The findings were published on Nov. 12, 2022 in Arthritis & Rheumatology. “This study demonstrates that genicular nerve block is an effective short-term therapy for pain management in people with knee […]

Getting under the skin of an autoimmune disorder

Supporting actors sometimes steal the show. In a new study published today in Cell, researchers headed by Prof. Ido Amit at the Weizmann Institute of Science have shown that supporting cells called fibroblasts, long viewed as uniform background players, are in fact extremely varied and vital. A subset of these cells, according to the study, may lie at the origins of […]

Rheumatic fever and household overcrowding

Research led by the University of Otago in New Zealand has uncovered the strongest evidence yet that household overcrowding is a major risk factor for acute rheumatic fever and streptococcal infections of the skin. Their research is published in two companion articles in the international medical journal The Lancet Regional Health — Western Pacific. Lead researcher Professor Michael Baker of the […]

Most long COVID patients should see a Rheumatologist

A McMaster University-led study has found that most people infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus recover within 12 months, irrespective of the severity. However, although 75 per cent had recovered at the 12-month mark after becoming ill with the virus, 25 per cent of patients still had at least one of the three most common symptoms, including coughing, fatigue and breathlessness. […]

Key protein that drives rheumatoid arthritis damage

Scientists have identified a protein known as sulfatase-2 that plays a critical role in the damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. A chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own joint tissues, rheumatoid arthritis affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Published in the journal Cellular & Molecular Immunology, the discovery sheds new light on the molecular processes that drive […]

New guideline introduces recommendations for vaccinations in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) released a summary of its new treatment guideline for Vaccinations in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs). The effectiveness and safety of vaccines may differ in rheumatology patients as compared to the general population. The guideline summary provides recommendations on topics such as broadened indications for some vaccines in patients on immunosuppressants, medication management at […]

Older adults with rheumatoid arthritis still undermedicated, despite aggressive guidelines

Despite guidelines that call for early and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests many older adults are not prescribed disease-modifying medications for their inflammatory autoimmune disease. Researchers at Michigan Medicine used the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to analyze all ambulatory visits for rheumatoid arthritis by adults 65 years of age and older, representing 7.8 million visits […]

ACR urges the FTC to thoroughly examine the impact of pharmacy benefit managers on prescription drug costs and access for people living with rheumatic disease

In comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) urged the agency to address Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) business practices that drive up costs and reduce access for the 54 million Americans living with rheumatic disease. “The FTC’s decision to study PBM business practices is an important step toward enacting meaningful reforms that reduce costs and […]

AbbVie provides update on Rinvoq for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the U.S

AbbVie announced an update to the U.S. Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Rinvoq (upadacitinib) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This update follows a Drug Safety Communication (DSC) issued on 1 September, 2021 by the FDA following its final review of the post-marketing study, ORAL Surveillance, evaluating Xeljanz (tofacitinib) in patients with RA. […]

New comprehensive phase III data show first-in-class Tremfya provided durable improvements in measures of psoriatic arthritis through two years – Johnson & Johnson

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced comprehensive efficacy and safety data from the DISCOVER–2 trial of Tremfya (guselkumab) were published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, representing the final results of the first two-year clinical trial investigating a selective interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor therapy in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Results show a majority of Tremfya-treated biologic-naïve adult patients with active […]