Antimalarial Agents Are Effective for Reticular Erythematous Mucinosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Most patients had excellent results in this small, retrospective study of a disease that may be part of the lupus erythematosus spectrum.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
July 22, 2011
Covering:
Kreuter A et al., Arch Dermatol 2011 Jun; 147:710
Clarke JT., Arch Dermatol 2011 Jun; 147:715
Increased Anti-Annexin 1 Antibodies Are Likely in Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
But development of a commercially available diagnostic test is doubtful.
Patients Taking Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Also Developed Less New Diabetes
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Decreased incidence was associated with TNF antagonists and hydroxychloroquine but not with methotrexate.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
July 15, 2011
Covering:
Solomon DH et al., JAMA 2011 Jun 22/29; 305:2525
Bongartz T and Kudva Y., JAMA 2011 Jun 22/29; 305:2573
Lateral Wedge Insoles Are Ineffective for Mild-to-Moderate Medial Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 1 year, no difference was found between wedge and flat insoles in knee pain or cartilage volume.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
July 12, 2011
Covering:
Bennell KL et al., BMJ 2011 May 18; 342:d2912
Bierma-Zeinstra SMA., BMJ 2011 May 18; 342:d2860
Increased Autoimmune Disease Found in Families of Children with Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Positive associations with type 1 diabetes, lupus erythematosus, and interferon-α found in this study may need to be refined by better data.
Do Drug-Induced and Non–Drug-Induced Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Differ?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The authors of a case report conclude that distinctive cutaneous features differentiate the two, but Dr. Callen disagrees.
Even Short-Term NSAID Use Associated with Cardiovascular Events
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Registry data show adverse effects of both selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and nonselective agents within the first week of treatment.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
June 8, 2011
Covering:
Schjerning Olsen A-M et al., Circulation 2011 May 24; 123:2226
Tacrolimus Ointment Might Be a Useful Adjuvant for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Provided patients can use the topical application properly outside the laboratory.
Development of Anti-Adalimumab Antibodies Linked to Decreased Treatment Effect
Dermatology Summary and Comment
About one third of adalimumab recipients developed antibodies within 28 weeks.
Total Hip Replacement in Morbidly Obese Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Self-reported functional outcomes were comparable to those of nonobese patients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 28, 2011
Covering:
McCalden RW et al., J Bone Joint Surg Br 2011 Mar; 93-B:321
Biologic Agents May Induce a Psoriatic Alopecia
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Anti–tumor necrosis factor-α therapy is associated with development of noncicatricial alopecia in three patients.
By Angelica Selim, MD
April 15, 2011
Covering:
Doyle LA et al., Am J Dermatopathol 2011 Apr; 33:161
Naproxen Interferes Somewhat with Aspirin's Antiplatelet Effect
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But the clinical relevance of this observation remains unclear.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 7, 2011
Covering:
Anzellotti P et al., Arthritis Rheum 2011 Mar; 63:850
Dexamethasone Speeds Recovery in Pediatric Septic Arthritis
A randomized study confirms a benefit from corticosteroid treatment.
"Acquired Port-Wine Stains" Can Morph into Morphea
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patches that resemble port-wine stains but develop after birth may actually represent developing morphea.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
April 1, 2011
Covering:
Nijhawan RI., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Apr; 64:779
Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee Raises Mortality Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Excess all-cause mortality was observed in OA patients.
Harlequin Ichthyosis: Management and Long-Term Outcomes
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Clinical and molecular findings in infants with harlequin ichthyosis; early retinoid therapy helps.
New Ophthalmologic Screening Recommendations for Recipients of Antimalarials
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Quarterly exams are probably not needed for most patients; newer, more sensitive screens are preferable.
Briefly Noted
IVIG for patients with myositis and refractory esophageal disease; antimalarials to prevent cardiac symptoms of neonatal lupus and thrombovascular events in adult systemic lupus; and a sunscreen to prevent cutaneous lupus
Pulmonary Embolism After Knee Arthroscopy
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This complication is rare, but prophylaxis should be considered in selected patients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 3, 2011
Covering:
Hetsroni I et al., J Bone Joint Surg Br 2011 Jan; 93-B:47
Mycophenolate Mofetil Is Inferior to Azathioprine for Maintaining Remission in ANCA-Associated Vasculitides
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
At the studied dose, mycophenolate mofetil patients had more relapses with no fewer adverse effects.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
December 3, 2010
Covering:
Hiemstra TF et al., JAMA 2010 Dec 1; 304:2381
Hoffman GS., JAMA 2010 Dec 1; 304:2413
Fructose Consumption and Risk for Gout in Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
One daily fructose-sweetened soft drink raised risk for gout by 74%.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin, for Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Alone or in combination, the supplements do not reduce joint pain or limit joint-space narrowing.
Vascular Risk Reduction in Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, celiprolol, an inexpensive, well-tolerated drug, decreased incidence of arterial rupture or dissection.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
September 29, 2010
Covering:
Ong K-T et al., Lancet 2010 Sep 7
Brooke BS., Lancet 2010 Sep 7
Milnacipran for Fibromyalgia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Efficacy is modest, and side effects are common.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 21, 2010
Covering:
Arnold LM et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Sep; 62:2745
Stress, Inflammation, and the Brain
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Activation of certain brain areas may be responsible for the inflammatory response to stress.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
September 20, 2010
Covering:
Slavich GM et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Aug 17; 107:14817
