Few studies have addressed whether certain clinical and laboratory characteristics predict partial remission (PR) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis who are taking the anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors infliximab (Remicade), etanercept (Enbrel), or adalimumab (Humira). A recent study has investigated the possibility of achieving PR in patients with ankylosing spondylitis who were treated with 1 of these 3 agents in a real-world clinical practice setting.
Biologics now seen safer than previously thought By Phoebe Starr Madrid, Spain—The 2013 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were released for the first time at the 2013 EULAR annual meeting by Josef S. Smolen, MD, Head, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, and Head, Second Medical Department, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria. Dr Smolen was quick to point out that the 2013 version is not writ in stone and will not be until it is published later this year.
By Phoebe Starr Madrid, Spain—A 3-drug regimen of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine was as effective as a combination of etanercept (Enbrel) and methotrexate, and was $10,200 cheaper annually for patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to methotrexate, according to a study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism and published online concurrently.
By Phoebe Starr Madrid, Spain—The first randomized, controlled, head-to-head comparison of 2 anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents showed similar efficacy and safety for adalimumab (Humira) and for abatacept (Orencia) in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a result of the AMPLE (Abatacept Versus Ada­limumab Comparison in Biologic-Naive RA Subjects with Background Methotrexate) trial, rheumatologists can be comfortable prescribing either drug to patients with RA, experts say.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new indication for golimumab (Simponi Aria for infusion; Janssen Biotech) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to be used in combination with methotrexate. Only 2 months earlier, the FDA approved golimumab injection for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis.
Results of a new study reported at EULAR 2013 indicate that replacing mycophenolate mofetil with the immunosuppressant drug azathioprine 6 weeks before conception in women with inactive lupus nephritis is safe and does not increase their risk for renal flares. Mycophenolate mofetil is often used in this patient population during pregnancy to protect the fetus.
Elevated levels of the biomarker β2 microglobulin (β2MG), a polypeptide found in saliva and serum, combined with sodium may be a new way to diagnose patients with Sjögren syndrome, according to a new study from Japan.
Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is particularly important for initiating early treatment and preventing joint damage in patients with RA. Researchers have recently discovered that the 14-3-3η protein can detect early inflammatory processes indicative of RA. “14-3-3η is a protein involved in many intracellular functions from cell proliferation to regulating the intracellular communication networks that are involved in various inflammatory processes relevant to rheumatoid arthritis,” according to Walter P. Maksymowych, MD, Consultant Rheumatologist and Professor of Medicine, University of Alberta, Canada.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) together with the Rheumatology Nurses Society issued a new guide to contemporary rheumatology nursing titled “Rheumatology Nursing,” which follows the establishment last year of rheumatology nursing as a new nursing specialty.
By Rosemary Frei, MSc There are finally some bright prospects in the search for accurate tools to diagnose patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to monitor the effects of treatment on the disease, according to the authors of a recent review article (Liu CC, et al. Biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus: challenges and prospects for the future. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2013;5:210-233).
Page 2 of 3
Results 11 - 20 of 22
  • Rheumatology Practice Management
  • American Health & Drug Benefits
  • Value-Based Cancer Care
  • Value-Based Care in Myeloma
  • Value-Based Care in Neurology