Rheumatology Network's Top 5: February 4, 2022

Farzin Khosrow-Khavar, MSc, PhD: Tofacitinib and Cardiovascular Risk in RA

Rheumatology Network interviewed Farzin Khosrow-Khavar, MSc, PhD, to discuss his study “Tofacitinib and risk of cardiovascular outcomes: results from the Safety of TofAcitinib in Routine care patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (STAR-RA) study.” Khosrow-Khavar is a postdoctoral research fellow associated with the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, as well as the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Polygenic Risk Score May Predict Radiographic Progression in RA

“The goal of treatment is suppressing bone destruction and improving physical activity of the patients. The number of patients with severe radiographic progression has decreased over the last decades due to younger diagnosis and the development of several therapeutic agents,” investigators stated. “However, prevention of severe radiographic progression in a certain percentage of patients remains a challenge because of inadequate treatment response or adverse events associated with therapeutic agents.”

Higher Baseline and Grayscale Ultrasound Synovitis Do Not Indicate Worse RA Prognosis

Both baseline synovitis and higher grayscale ultrasound (GSUS) synovitis is not indicative of a worse rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prognosis, according to a study published in Springer. Regular musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) synovitis follow-ups may have a positive influence on treatment.

Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE: The National Scleroderma Foundation

Rheumatology Network interviewed Mary Wheatley, IOM, CAE, to discuss the National Scleroderma Foundation, its recent name change, and the importance of raising awareness of this rare rheumatic condition.

Improvements in Telehealth May Better Treat Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases

“While telehealth has been examined in adult rheumatology and other pediatric subspecialties, studies characterizing and assessing pediatric rheumatology telehealth implementation are sparse and were conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” investigators explained.