ACR Convergence 2020—In May 2020, the ACR published its updated guideline for the management of gout.1 It followed on the heels of a 2017 gout guideline published by the American College of Physicians.2 Although the guidelines provide similar recommendations on the treatment of acute gout, they differ importantly in the use of uric acid-lowering therapy…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—The definition of cell type depends increasingly on a cell’s molecular features. On Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, Alex Kuo, PhD, senior scientist at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif., described six technologies that are relatively mature and can be used for rheumatic disease research: Rapidly developing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq); Cellular indexing…
Certain nutrients or dietary patterns may affect inflammation and rheumatic disease risk in certain populations. Recommended nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, poultry or nuts. Following a Mediterranean or standard Western diet may affect RA risk too.
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Recent research findings suggest rheumatologists need to take a closer look at two gold standard autoantibodies used to diagnose seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), according to Caroline Grönwall, PhD, and Miriam Shelef, MD, PhD, who discussed Antibodies in RA: Beyond Citrullination & Back to Rheumatoid Factor at…
Experts say progress is being made on a variety of fronts in lupus nephritis. New data, for instance, shows that repeat biopsy beyond that used for diagnosis can help guide treatment and greatly reduce the flare rate. New treatments – including belimumab and the calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and voclosporin — have yielded improved response rates in LN…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—New evidence, though derived from small numbers, suggest that treatment with the TNF-inhibitor certolizumab could help improve high-risk pregnancy outcomes in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (with or without systemic lupus erythematosus) and lupus anticoagulants, an expert said. In the Phase 2 IMPACT trial, which has already enrolled 27 women and is continuing to…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Evidence shows that African Americans have a higher burden of osteoarthritis, with lower use of conventional medications, and are less adherent to the medications they take. They also get arthroplasty procedures less often, and when they do have the procedures, they report greater pain, worse function and lower satisfaction with them. In RA…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—The results of a post-authorization study comparing the cardiovascular safety of febuxostat vs. allopurinol were presented in a late-breaking abstract session at the ACR’s fully virtual annual meeting on Monday, Nov. 9. Cardiologist Thomas MacDonald, MD, FRCP, MBChB, clinical professor (teaching and research) of molecular and clinical medicine, University of Dundee School of…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—With an understanding of the key causes that are behind immune abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatologists gain insights into this disease. During the ACR Convergence session Immunology Update—The Decade in Review: 10 Steps to SLE, Chandra Mohan, MD, PhD, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Endowed Professor, University of Houston, provided…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Patients with concurrent rheumatological arthritis (RA) and liver disease or interstitial lung disease or treatment-refractory rheumatoid arthritis pose treatment challenges, according to the panelists of the ACR Convergence 2020’s How I Treat Difficult RA: Panel Session. Each panelist discussed a difficult case and raised questions on how to best treat it. Joan M….