ACR Convergence 2025| Video: Rheum for Everyone, Episode 26—Ableism

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

Articles by Arthritis & Rheumatology

Effect of DMARDs on Pain Sensitivity in RA

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Aydemir et al. examined the relationship between disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pain regulatory mechanisms of the central nervous system. They found that improvements in pain sensitivity were associated with reductions in disease activity in patients with RA after 12 weeks of treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. This study underscores the importance of inflammatory and noninflammatory contributors to patient outcomes.

Research Reviews: AURORA 2, & Urinary Biomarkers

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AURORA 2 Voclosporin, a novel calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), is associated with a favorable metabolic profile with regard to lipids and glucose, and a predictable pharmacokinetic profile, resulting in no need for the therapeutic drug monitoring required of other CNIs. AURORA 2, a double-blind, phase 3 study, evaluated the longterm safety, tolerability and efficacy of voclosporin…

Autoantibodies Illuminate Lupus Nephritis

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In this study, Fava et al. investigated longitudinal autoantibody profiles in a racially diverse cohort of patients with lupus nephritis to define noninvasive serological biomarkers of histologic class and one-year treatment response to standard of care. In addition, the researchers determined how these biomarkers changed over time to provide further insights into treatment response and…

The Role of FGL-1 in Sjögren Disease

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Fibrinogen-like protein-1 (FGL-1) may play a key role in the onset of autoimmunity by suppressing T cell activation in primary Sjögren disease, according to findings from Otsuka et al. Their study, which examined the influence of interorgan communication on disease pathogenesis in mice models and patients with primary Sjögren disease, may help facilitate novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies targeting immune checkpoint molecules in autoimmune diseases.

Cardiovascular Risks Similar for JAK Inhibitors & bDMARDs

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Using data from registries across Europe and Canada, Aymon et al. compared the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with RA treated with JAK inhibitors, TNF inhibitors or biologic DMARDs with other modes of action over two years. The researchers did not find an increased risk of MACE with JAK inhibitors over that time frame.

Air Pollution May Increase the Risk of RA & RA-Associated ILD

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Exposure to air pollution, such as high levels of particulate matter from fire smoke and fossil fuel-related nitrogen oxides, may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), according to Kronzer et al. Their findings highlight the need for improved monitoring of air pollutants and suggest that addressing air pollution may help prevent RA and RA-associated ILD.