WASHINGTON, D.C.—As of November 2024, there are 16 biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) that are FDA approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Incredible news, right? But as my fellowship program director used to say, “There’s no free lunch.” This buffet of options is excellent for our patients, but poses challenges to the practicing…
SAN DIEGO—Viral infections are a common cause of acute arthritis and, in general, tend to be short lived and are not usually associated with significant articular inflammation. Due to the prevalence of various viral infections across the globe, any patient with signs of early inflammatory arthritis (i.e., symptoms that have not yet lasted six weeks) should be evaluated for a possible infectious etiology, said Dr. Leonard Calabrese in the Review Course at ACR Convergence 2023.
SAN DIEGO—Differences between psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis highlight the need for the development of imaging modalities, laboratory tests and other biomarkers that are explored and validated specifically for PsA to advance the goal of personalized or precision medicine. In this article, expert David S. Pisetsky, MD, PhD, explores the top research in psoriatic arthritis presented at ACR Convergence 2023.
Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare connective tissue disease, with fewer than 100 cases reported worldwide.1 Hallmark features include acro-osteolysis (i.e., resorption of the distal phalanges of the hands and feet), osteoporosis, facial dysmorphisms, and craniofacial and dental abnormalities. Patients often have short stature and can have neuroanatomical deformities causing intellectual disabilities. These patients can…
I have been reading Yuval Harari’s thought-provoking and engaging book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, about our species’ struggles and the path that led to our emergence as the predominant species. I was captivated by the drawing of the hand of one of our ancestors and mused about what that forebear was thinking as…
In 1949, the first description of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) given cortisone sent shockwaves through the medical community, quickly capturing the public imagination as well. The paradigm-shifting report paved the way for the use of cortisone and related drugs in RA and many other medical conditions.1 The following is a discussion of some of…
During ACR Convergence 2022 in early November, the ACR honored a group of individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care by announcing the recipients of the ACR’s 2022 Awards of Distinction, as well as the 2022 ACR Masters, recognized for their contributions to the field. See the November issue…
PHILADELPHIA—Despite a large and ever-growing number of therapeutic options for our patients with psoriatic disease, it is not uncommon for us come across scenarios in which a patient’s response to therapy does not match our expectations and our shared goals for treatment. We all have those patients—the ones whose joints improve with one drug, but…
PHILADELPHIA—At the second Plenary Session of ACR Convergence on Sunday, Nov. 13, speakers shared compelling efficacy and safety results from two phase 2 trials: remibrutinib for Sjögren’s syndrome and deucravacitinib for moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Remibrutinib in Phase 2 Sjögren’s Syndrome Trial Thomas Dörner, MD, a professor of rheumatology and clinical immunology for…
PHILADELPHIA—Approximately 100 research abstracts on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) were accepted for presentation at ACR Convergence 2022. It is exciting to see a wealth of research on axSpA being undertaken worldwide. Here, we highlight important points from 10 of these studies. 1. Abstract 0378: Prevalence of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in Patients Treated for Chronic Back Pain…