New research has found that the amyloid protein curli triggers immune activation and autoantibody production in lupus-prone and wild-type mice. Stefania Gallucci, MD, says these results provide insight into the mechanisms of bacterial infection that may result in lupus…
The FDA has issued new safety guidelines for systemic fluoroquinolones, restricting their use to patients with no alternative treatment options…
Over the past 40 years, the prevalence and risk of depression for medical residents has increased, according to research from Douglas A. Mata, MD, MPH, and colleagues. Addressing this phenomenon may be vital for the future of rheumatology and medicine…
Recent clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of GSK3196165, a monoclonal antibody, and fasinumab, a nerve growth factor antibody, in treating patients with osteoarthritis and pain…
(Reuters)—Wall Street expressed growing doubts about a pending $54 billion merger of U.S. health insurers Anthem Inc. and Cigna Corp. on Monday as news of management squabbles added to concerns over its review by antitrust regulators. Cigna shares closed down 4% at $126.15, well below Anthem’s original $188 per share offer of cash and stock…
Recent clinical trials have shown that baricitinib is safe and effective for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have proved non-responsive to multiple biologic treatments…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Babies born to mothers who took anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents during pregnancy have detectable drug in their bodies up to 12 months of age, new findings show. These infants should therefore not receive live vaccines during their first year of life, Dr. Mette Julsgaard of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark and…
(Reuters Health)—Doctors who receive payments or gifts from pharmaceutical companies are more likely to prescribe brand name medications, a new study suggests. Dr. James Yeh, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and colleagues write May 9 online in JAMA Internal Medicine that some states require doctors to report what they receive from drug companies….
Recent enforcement activities of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) have shown an increase in fines and penalties assessed against smaller providers for failing to comply with the privacy, security and breach notification requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Historically, OCR has focused on larger…
What do dietitians do to help manage patients with rheumatic disease? Dietitians are well integrated, for example, in the practice of nephrology and diabetes, but few are active in the specialty of rheumatology. However, dietitians are recognized as part of the team of providers designated to care for patients with rheumatic disease by the ACR….