Childhood Dermatomyositis and Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adulthood
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Adults with a history of JDM had more evidence of disease than matched controls.
Thalidomide Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Thalidomide was effective in 98% of patients with refractory CLE.
Yoga and Stretching Are Better Than Usual Care for Chronic Low Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Supervised stretching or exercise of any type is better than self-care.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
January 5, 2012
Covering:
Sherman KJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Dec 12/26; 171:2019
Bisphosphonate Use Extends Implant Survival After Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a U.K. study, bisphosphonate users had significantly lower rates of revision.
Traditional Metal-on-Polyethylene Hip Implants Aren't Inferior to Newer Devices
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Revision arthroplasty was needed more often by patients who received metal-on-metal or ceramic-on-ceramic devices.
Risk for PE Rises After Hospitalization for Autoimmune Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Higher pulmonary embolism risk persisted for 5 to 10 years.
The Role of DNA in the Etiology of Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A loss-of-function variant that affects DNA processing is associated with an inherited form of SLE.
Mycophenolate Mofetil Superior to Azathioprine as Maintenance Therapy for Lupus Nephritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Rates of treatment failure were lower with MMF.
By Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD
December 13, 2011
Covering:
Dooley MA et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Nov 17; 365:1886
Phone-Based CBT Is Effective in Easing Chronic Widespread Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Exercise was roughly equally as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and both together were even better.
Dual-Energy CT: A New Diagnostic Tool for Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Sensitivity and specificity were high in a small computed tomography study.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 29, 2011
Covering:
Glazebrook KN et al., Radiology 2011 Nov; 261:516
Some Benefit Reported with Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Back function, but not pain, was better with yoga.
Does Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor α Therapy Increase the Risk for Serious Infection?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In this large cohort study, unlike in most of the previous studies, researchers found no increased risk for serious infections with TNF antagonists.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
November 10, 2011
Covering:
Grijalva CG et al., JAMA 2011 Nov 6
Dixon W and Felson DT., JAMA 2011 Nov 6
Chondroitin Sulfate Holds Promise for Hand Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The drug conferred moderate symptom relief, compared with placebo.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 8, 2011
Covering:
Gabay C et al., Arthritis Rheum 2011 Nov; 63:3383
Risk for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Appears Higher in Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonist Recipients
Dermatologists can help rheumatologists recognize problematic lesions.
Omalizumab Effective for Chronic Urticaria
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Single doses produced significant improvement, and better results may be achievable with repeated use.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
October 14, 2011
Covering:
Saini S et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011 Sep; 128:567
Pegloticase Is Effective for Treatment of Refractory Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This costly new drug may be useful in patients with severe tophaceous or debilitating gout.
By Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD
September 20, 2011
Covering:
Sundy JS et al., JAMA 2011 Aug 17; 306:711
Hydroxychloroquine Treatment for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Widespread disease, systemic LE diagnosis, and referral to tertiary care were associated with poor response to this first-line treatment; smoking status was unrelated.
Mycophenolate Mofetil May Be Effective for Chronic Urticaria
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Including autoimmune urticaria
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
September 16, 2011
Covering:
Zimmerman AB et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Jul 23
Rituximab for Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Rituximab and other biologic agents should be reserved for treating recalcitrant disease until more evidence shows otherwise.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
September 9, 2011
Covering:
Bader-Meunier B et al., J Rheumatol 2011 Jul; 38:1436
Comparing Therapies for Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The combination of methotrexate and infliximab shows promise.
Pegloticase Reduces Uric Acid Levels in Patients with Refractory Gout
The intravenous drug pegloticase lowers uric acid levels in patients with refractory gout, according to two industry-funded, placebo-controlled trials in JAMA .
The trials...
A Psoriasis Gene Emerges: IL-36–Receptor Antagonist Deficiency Causes Generalized Pustular Psoriasis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
The first single-gene mutation to be directly implicated in psoriasis presents a potential target for intervention.
TNF Inhibitors Double Infection Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
At 1 year, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were associated with excess risk for serious infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 28, 2011
Covering:
Komano Y et al., J Rheumatol 2011 Jul; 38:1258
Use of NSAIDs and COX-2 Inhibitors Raises Risk for AF
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk for atrial fibrillation was especially elevated among new users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.
Mycophenolate Mofetil Is Useful for Antimalarial-Resistant Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
With long-term therapy, response was durable in most patients.
