Rheumatology

Despite the recent advancements in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica, a need for more research focused on finding non-steroidal treatment options remains.

A cross-sectional, case-controlled cohort study evaluated the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness of Finnish patients with JIA and healthy controls.

The guidelines were created using a panel of rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and patients.

New meta-analysis show patient demographics—as well as their pre-existing comorbidities and COVID-19 vaccination status—may significantly define their risk of long-term conditions.

Often overlooked and underfunded, as well as being underpaid compared to internal medicine, it is difficult to convince prospective medical students, many of whom already have substantial debt, to choose a career in pediatric rheumatology.

Results of a recent study showed that the risk of pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) is low in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), therefore discouraging the routine prescribing of PJP prophylaxis for this patient population.

Results of a recent review showed that adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab, and infliximab are effective and well-tolerated treatments options for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Nipocalimab, a FcRn blocker, significantly improved symptoms and reduced immunoglobulin autoantibody levels in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Multivariable models indicated that improvements in the physical component score and mental component score could be predicted by better self-efficacy scores in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis were at a greater risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease if they were female, reported ANA and/or RF positivity, and a family history of thyroid disease.

Investigators identify a strong association between exposure to air pollution and bone mineral loss in postmenopausal women.

Anisha Dua, MD, MPH, defines IgG4 and explains why IgG4-related disease is often difficult to diagnose, in part because it regularly affects a variety of organ systems.

“Reversing and preventing adverse lifestyle factors could potentially reduce the incidence and burden of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as alleviate its comorbidities,” investigators hypothesized.

Investigators measured pain intensity, the primary outcome, as well as physical function, isometric strength, quality of life, and fibromyalgia impact at baseline and the 6-month mark.

Katinka Albrecht, MD, and Johanna Callhoff, MSc, discuss the results of their recent study evaluating patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant interstitial lung disease.

"All forms of arthritis can make life difficult for people because of the pain, swelling, or stiffness in a joint or joints, and because of difficulties in getting about," investigators explained.

“Our primary motivation was to help develop treatments for people with osteoarthritis that would slow or prevent the disease and be more than painkillers- actually affect the disease process itself,” Virginia Kraus, MD, explains.

DMARDs are the most commonly used treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis but have been linked with pneumonia and other pulmonary infections.

The use of cannabis was associated with more severe levels of pain, as well as more severe disease activity.

General practitioners and rheumatologists were viewed as sources of information that led to positive views toward vaccinations, while internet chatrooms, social media, and mainstream media were seen as sources of information that led to negative views.

The syndrome, although rare, has a high mortality rate, with approximately half of patients dying within 5 years of diagnosis.

P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitors have been a focal point for inflammatory diseases but the lack of efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis led to examination of the MK2 pathway.

The multicenter superiority trial evaluated patients with diagnosed knee osteoarthritis and a history of pain and decreased knee function using patient-tailored exercise programs.

Secukinumab therapy was associated with inhibition of joint tenderness and swelling, but high baseline radiographic damage was associated with reduced likelihood of full inhibition.

Single and dual-task conditions were implemented to determine the reliability of the 3MBWT alongside the Timed Up and Go test in assessing balance-related fibromyalgia symptoms.

The findings visualized the increased amount of research regarding acupuncture for fibromyalgia treatment, which may eventually boost efficacy, reduce cost, and promte future development in the field.

The 2-phase study analyzed the association of plasma vitamin D levels with clinical phenotype, serology, and disease variables in a large cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus living in India.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies indicates a favorable effect of TNF inhibitors on surrogate markers for CVD risk.

“Despite the multiple benefits offered by physical activity (PA), the proportion of older adults meeting PA guidelines is between 27% to 44%," investigators explained.

Anxiety and depression can limit engagement with healthcare or treatment leading to later diagnosis, poor treatment adherence, and poor disease control with associated negative sequelae.