Lupus & Connective Tissue Diseases
From the Journals
Neuropsychiatric event etiology in lupus helps define predictors, outcomes
Male sex, active SLE, and corticosteroid use were among the factors positively associated with neuropsychiatric events in patients with SLE.
From the Journals
Lupus images fall short on diverse examples
A review of textbooks, medical journals, and online sources shows an underrepresentation of skin of color patients.
Conference Coverage
New biomarkers may predict interstitial lung disease progression in patients with systemic sclerosis
Radiographic assessment of interstitial lung disease progression and proteins from bronchoalveolar lavage may independently provide better insight...
Conference Coverage
Lenabasum missed mark for systemic sclerosis but may show promise for adjunctive therapy
The negative trial findings are primarily due to participants’ continued use of background immunosuppressive therapy during the trial, but...
Conference Coverage
BEAT-LUPUS: Belimumab after rituximab delays severe flares
Results from a phase 2b trial are “clearly encouraging” and “support the hypothesis that BAFF [B-cell–activating factor] can drive flares after...
Conference Coverage
Intravenous immunoglobulin controls dermatomyositis in phase 3 trial
Intravenous immunoglobulin was safe and effective for dermatomyositis in the first multinational, phase 3, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate...
From the Journals
Lower glucocorticoid dose proves effective for new-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis
An open-label, randomized trial found that a reduced dose of glucocorticoids added to standard induction therapy with rituximab was safer and no...
From the Journals
Lower SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses seen in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
Patients who take methotrexate or rituximab seem to be especially vulnerable.
Conference Coverage
Rituximab’s serious infection risk in ANCA-vasculitis allayed by antibiotic use
Co-use of co-trimoxazole decreased the risk for infection, which remains high in patients with vasculitis who are treated with rituximab.
News from the FDA/CDC
FDA panel narrowly backs avacopan approval
The FDA is mulling whether to approve avacopan for ANCA-associated vasculitis based largely on a single trial about which the agency staff has...
Conference Coverage
Multiple studies highlight pandemic’s impact on patients with rheumatic disease
From the Europe-based REUMAVID study to the United Kingdom’s CONTAIN study, some common themes are emerging, with lessons to be learned for future...