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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Jury Out on Immunomodulatory Therapy for Kids with Severe COVID-19

Megan Brooks  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Immunomodulatory therapy is not recommended for most children with COVID-19 who typically will have a mild to moderate course of illness, experts advise in a guidance document in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.1 For children with severe or critical COVID-19, immunomodulatory agents “may be beneficial,” but the risks and…

Study Provides Clues to Undefined, Systemic, Autoinflammatory Diseases

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A study from October 2019 describes the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with undefined systemic autoinflammatory diseases. Researchers conducted a genetic analysis and outlined specific variants. They found patients with pericarditis and intellectual impairment may have distinct clinical phenotypes, which may lead to improved diagnostic and treatment options.

Pharmacists Not Required to Substitute Generics for Brand-Name Drugs in Most U.S. States

Lisa Rapaport  |  

(Reuters Health)—Only 19 U.S. states mandate that pharmacists fill prescriptions for brand-name small molecule drugs with generics when available, with the 31 remaining states allowing but not requiring these substitutions, a new study finds. Researchers examined laws on the books as of September 2019 pertaining to generic substitution of small molecule drugs, as well as…

After COVID-19-Associated MIS-C, Immune Changes Resolve

Marilynn Larkin  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—A new study of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) shows that the immune system is profoundly altered during acute illness, but gradually returns back to normal. MIS-C is distinct from both COVID-19 and Kawasaki disease, but is associated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, the immunological profiling study reveals. Dr. Manu Shankar-Hari, an…

Biologics May Prevent Cardiovascular Events in RA Patients

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RA patients experience a higher rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events than controls. In a new study, Karpouzas et al. determined that current biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug use is associated with reduced long-term CVD risk, protective calcification of noncalcified lesions and a lower likelihood of new plaque formation in patients with early atherosclerosis.