How do inflammatory pathways strain the cardiovascular system? Dr. Mark Gorelik provided insights into the inflammatory processes that influence heart recovery after myocardial infarction, Kawasaki disease, multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children and more.
Rheumatoid Arthritis May Confer Higher Cardiac & Infection Risks
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of serious infections, myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), an analysis of Medicare claims data suggests. “Higher disease activity as measured by a panel of biomarkers was associated with higher rates of hospitalized infections, MI and CHD events. These findings add…
Cardiovascular Disease Rate Differs Between SLE Patients of Different Races, Ethnicities
A recent epidemiologic study of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) investigated racial and ethnic differences in the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Among SLE patients enrolled in Medicaid, the risk for myocardial infarction (MI) was lower in Hispanics and Asians compared with whites, and the risk of stroke was higher in blacks and Hispanics…
Rheumatology Drug Updates: Uncertain Future for Romosozumab, Plus FDA Approves Tocilizumab for GCA
Romosozumab’s Future Is Uncertain Romosozumab, which has the possible U.S. brand name Evenity, is awaiting approval from the FDA.1 The treatment is an investigational, injectable biologic for treating osteoporosis. It increases bone formation and bone density, reducing a patient’s risk of fractures. The manufacturer no longer expects the FDA to approve the drug this year…
Newly Diagnosed SLE Patients Have a Greater Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
New research has examined the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large-scale population-based study. Researchers found that patients with SLE have a greater than two-fold increased risk of developing CVD. This risk is greatest during the first year after diagnosis and remains elevated for at least five years…
NSAIDs Increase MI Risk; Plus New Label Warnings for Canagliflozin
NSAIDs Increase Myocardial Infarction Risk According a recent meta-analysis of real-world non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, NSAIDs may increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The analysis used individual patient data meta-analysis of studies from healthcare databases in Canada, Finland and the U.K. to determine the time course for risk of AMI, as well…
Newer Biologics for RA on Par with TNF-Inhibitors for CV Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The newer disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis appear to offer the same or even better cardiovascular (CV) protection than older tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, hints a large study. “We really haven’t had a good understanding on where the non-TNF biologics and CV risk stand,” Dr. Jeffrey R. Curtis of the University…
FDA Issues Stronger Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Warning
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has toughened the existing warnings for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to their stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) risk increase.1 Due to a continual review of these products, FDA is requiring label updates for all prescription NSAIDs. Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs already list the increased risk of MI and…
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Have More Severe ACS, Poorer Outcomes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with more-severe acute coronary syndrome and poorer outcomes, according to a new study. “We found that despite the well-researched increased risk of acute coronary events (ACS) in RA, that there was almost no existing data describing clinical characteristics and outcomes of RA- and non-RA patients with ACS,”…
Nuclear Medicine Exposures Up Health Risks for Radiology Techs
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Technologists working in nuclear medicine have a heightened risk for some cancers and myocardial infarction, according to a nationwide U.S. survey led by National Cancer Institute (NCI) researchers. “Our results were mainly driven by exposures occurring before 1980, which is consistent with evidence that most cancers and other serious radiation-related chronic disease…