Will a Biologic Agent Be Useful for Managing Lupus-Associated Skin Disease?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A targeted tumor-necrosis-factor–receptor biologic agent improved skin lesions in mice.
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Analysis of adverse events reported to the FDA
Drug-Induced Dermatomyositis Due to Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists
Dermatology Summary and Comment
TNF inhibitors are valuable against inflammatory disease, but reports link their use to dermatomyositis in some patients.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
August 27, 2010
Covering:
Klein R et al., Arch Dermatol 2010 Jul; 146:780
Brunasso AMG et al., J Rheumatol 2010 Jul; 37:1549
Gout and Heart Failure Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Allopurinol appears to lower risk for hospital readmission or death.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
August 24, 2010
Covering:
Thanassoulis G et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Aug 9; 170:1358
Double-Bubble Toil Trouble
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Adding mycophenolate mofetil to prednisone conveyed some benefits in pemphigus vulgaris therapy but did not improve response rates at 1 year.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
August 20, 2010
Covering:
Beissert S et al., J Invest Dermatol 2010 Aug; 130:2041
Margolis DJ., J Invest Dermatol 2010 Aug; 130:1964
Is the Incidence and Prevalence of Rheumatoid Arthritis Rising Among Women?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and low-estrogen-dose oral contraceptives could be factors.
By Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD
August 17, 2010
Covering:
Myasoedova E et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Jun; 62:1576
The Root of the Alopecia Areata Problem
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A genome-wide association study of AA reveals shared pathways with other autoimmune diseases, as well as a novel mechanism in triggering autoimmunity.
Timing of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair: Now, Later, or Never?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Functional outcomes were similar for immediate reconstruction and optional later reconstruction.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
August 3, 2010
Covering:
Frobell RB et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 22; 363:331
Levy BA., N Engl J Med 2010 Jul 22; 363:386
Gastrointestinal Risks of Celecoxib vs. Diclofenac-plus-Omeprazole
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Among arthritis patients, risk for presumed GI bleeding was lower with celecoxib, but concerns remain.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 29, 2010
Covering:
Chan FKL et al., Lancet 2010 Jul 17; 376:173
Ultrasound Improves Accuracy of Joint Injection . . . But Does It Matter?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Although ultrasound guidance improved accuracy, it did not improve clinical outcomes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 29, 2010
Covering:
Cunnington J et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Jul; 62:1862
Do Statins Slow Progression of Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a retrospective study suggest that they do.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
July 14, 2010
Covering:
Antonini-Canterin F et al., Circulation 2010 May 18; 121:2130
Glucosamine for Chronic Low Back Pain and Lumbar Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
No evidence of benefit for pain, disability, or quality of life.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 13, 2010
Covering:
Wilkens P et al., JAMA 2010 Jul 7; 304:45
Avins AL., JAMA 2010 Jul 7; 304:93
Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
We might have a new therapeutic target.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
July 6, 2010
Covering:
Saito T et al., Nat Med 2010 Jun; 16:678
Yang S et al., Nat Med 2010 Jun; 16:687
Husa M et al., Nat Med 2010 Jun; 16:641
Predicting Response to Methotrexate in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Nonresponders are more likely to have negative antinuclear antibody test results, long-standing disease, more disability, and wrist involvement.
Spotlight on Colchicine: The Colcrys Controversy
A very old drug gets new marketing exclusivity — at what cost?
Comparing Gastrointestinal Risks of Various Drugs
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, namely cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and ibuprofen, conferred lower risks than others in the class.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 10, 2010
Covering:
González ELM et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Jun; 62:1592
IVIG Does Not Prevent Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus–Associated Heart Block
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Intravenous immune globulin had no effect on maternal antibody levels or on incidence of congenital heart block.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
May 14, 2010
Covering:
Pisoni CN et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Apr; 62:1147
Friedman DM et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Apr; 62:1138
Arthritis Rheum 2010 Apr; 62:911
Skin-Softening Rays
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Ultraviolet A1 phototherapy provided some benefit to patients with localized scleroderma.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
May 7, 2010
Covering:
Andres C et al., Br J Dermatol 2010 Feb 1; 162:445
Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists May Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in Inflammatory Disorders
Dermatology Summary and Comment
New findings increase hope that these anti-TNF agents will reduce risk in psoriasis patients.
How Long to Continue Methotrexate After Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Remission?
Twelve months of methotrexate therapy after remission offers no advantage over 6 months of therapy.
Group Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Persistent Low Back Pain
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Intervention patients were more likely to report recovery and satisfaction with care at 12 months.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 20, 2010
Covering:
Lamb SE et al., Lancet 2010 Mar 13; 375:916
Revisiting Colchicine for Acute Gout
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Low-dose colchicine was reasonably effective and nontoxic.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 16, 2010
Covering:
Terkeltaub RA et al., Arthritis Rheum 2010 Apr; 62:1060
Leg-Length Inequality Is a Risk Factor for Osteoarthritis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Inequality of
Malignancy Is (Still) Associated with Dermatomyositis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Skin changes signal cancer risk in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.
Long-Term Antibiotic Therapy for Bone and Joint Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two oral combination regimens — rifampicin/linezolid and rifampicin/trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole — performed equally well.
By Thomas Glück, MD
January 6, 2010
Covering:
Nguyen S et al., Clin Microbiol Infect 2009 Dec; 15:1163
