Allopurinol Starting Dose Might Affect Risk for Hypersensitivity Reactions
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An initial allopurinol dose of 1.5 mg per unit of glomerular filtration rate seems reasonable.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 21, 2012
Covering:
Stamp LK et al., Arthritis Rheum 2012 Aug; 64:2529
Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Iatrogenic Cushing Syndrome
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risks for coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure were higher.
How Obesity, Diabetes, and Infection Interact After Total Joint Replacement
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Periprosthetic infection was associated with severe obesity and, to a lesser extent, diabetes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
August 16, 2012
Covering:
Jämsen E et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012 Jul 18; 94:e1011
Can We Safely and Effectively Vaccinate Patients Receiving Biologic Therapies for Immune-Mediated Disease?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Indications are promising but not definitive; nevertheless, we should discuss results with patients who request the herpes zoster vaccine.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In a prospective study, risk was 40% to 50% lower in older women who weren't teetotalers.
Briefly Noted
Therapy for pustular psoriasis, rituximab-related psoriasis flare, methotrexate for children with localized scleroderma, methotrexate for skin lesions in dermatomyositis, treatment of non–infection-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, and hydroxychloroquine to prevent congenital heart block
Adult Stem Cell Therapy Treats Osteoarthritis in Mice
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Kartogenin promotes formation of new cartilage.
Botulinum Toxin A for Raynaud Syndrome
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Botulinum toxin treatment is worth trying as first-line treatment in Raynaud syndrome.
BMI Associated with Lumbar Disk Degeneration
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The findings help explain the link between obesity and low back pain.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 24, 2012
Covering:
Samartzis D et al., Arthritis Rheum 2012 May; 64:1488
Interaction Between SSRIs and NSAIDs? Now It's Missing
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Unlike a previous study, this one shows that NSAID use does not affect antidepressant response.
Blood Levels Might Predict Response to and Compliance with Therapy in Patients with CLE
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Monitoring hydroxychloroquine blood concentrations might improve management of refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
One-Year Function Similar After Resurfacing Hip Arthroplasty or Total Hip Arthroplasty
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Overall complication rates did not differ between groups.
Another Myositis-Specific Antibody: Is It Linked to Malignancy?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients with an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and the anti-NXP2 autoantibody may have increased risk for an internal malignancy.
Good and Bad News for Vitamin D in African-Americans with Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Photoprotective measures by African-American CLE patients did not reduce vitamin D concentrations, but half of all African-Americans had deficient levels.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Word AP et al., Br J Dermatol 2012 Feb; 166:372
Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked to Risks for Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Close monitoring of RA patients is warranted.
Should Prednisone Be Added to Methotrexate for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Yes, according to a randomized trial — but with caveats.
Cryofibrinogenemia — What Is Its Clinical Significance?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Many patients with positive CF results have Raynaud phenomenon, but the ramifications are unclear.
Briefly Noted
Increased cardiovascular risk associated with psoriasis, protective effects of cutaneous discoid lupus, treatment for erosive pustular scalp dermatosis, and quality of life in patients with CLE-induced photosensitivity
Calcium-Channel Blockers and Losartan Are Associated with Lower Risk for Gout in Hypertensive Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Diuretics, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitors, and non-losartan angiotensin-receptor blockers are associated with increased risk.
Adnexal Tumor: Useful Information in a Pathology Report
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Pagetoid spread and an infiltrative growth pattern suggest the need for extended excision of some eccrine porocarcinomas.
By Angelica Selim, MD
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Belin E et al., Br J Dermatol 2011 Nov; 165:985
Nonbullous Neutrophilic Lupus Erythematosus – The Real Deal or a Variant of Neutrophilic Dermatosis?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Our author considers it the latter.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Brinster NK et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2012 Jan; 66:92
Gout and Diuretics in Hypertensive Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Diuretic use raised risk for gout by several percentage points.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 26, 2012
Covering:
McAdams DeMarco MA et al., Arthritis Rheum 2012 Jan; 64:121
Concomitant Septic and Crystal Arthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a hospital setting, a small proportion of patients with gout or pseudogout had coexisting septic arthritis.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 19, 2012
Covering:
Papanicolas LE et al., J Rheumatol 2012 Jan; 39:157
Prevalence of Knee Pain and Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis Rises
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Reports of knee pain are up and largely unexplained by age and weight.
Etanercept for Treatment of Dermatomyositis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Etanercept allowed patients to discontinue or decrease prednisone in a small study.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
January 13, 2012
Covering:
Amato AA et al. for the Muscle Study Group., Ann Neurol 2011 Sep; 70:427
