Justin Cooper

Nearly 40% of pregnancy-capable patients with rheumatic disease are unaware of the potential impacts of their medications on pregnancy, including the possibility of birth defects, according to a study published in Pediatric Rheumatology. The study also suggested low rates of counseling from their rheumatologists on pregnancy prevention and the teratogenicity of their medications, Brittany M.

Surrogate measures of insulin resistance, based on the triglyceride-glucose index, can be used to predict the development of osteoarthritis, according to data published in Scientific Reports. “Previous studies have drawn a link between OA and metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is characterized by hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity,” Youmian Lan, of the

The odds of developing systemic lupus erythematosus or systemic sclerosis appear to significantly increase with the use of menopausal hormone therapy, according to data published in Rheumatology. “There are considerable sex imbalances in the immune-mediated diseases systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis; women comprise more than 80% of the patient populations,” Karina

Children with lupus nephritis who receive belimumab achieve treatment targets faster, and can taper glucocorticoids earlier, than those using standard immunotherapy, according to data published in Lupus Science & Medicine. “With the continuous advance of the pathogenesis of [systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)]/[lupus nephritis], new medications such as belimumab have been developed and

Targeted therapies for active inflammatory arthritis should be started “without delay” for patients with cancer in remission, according to new EULAR points to consider published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. “In clinical practice, the potential association between targeted antirheumatic therapies and the recurrence of a past cancer in patients with [inflammatory

Duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin can yield significant pain relief over at least 12 weeks for approximately one out of 10 adults with fibromyalgia, according to an analysis of Cochrane reviews published in Rheumatology. “Pharmacological interventions are recommended as part of a multidisciplinary approach combined with physical and/or cognitive interventions for severe forms of

Women with axial spondyloarthritis face longer diagnostic delays and greater disease burden than men despite higher rates of treatment and healthy behaviors, according to data published in International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. “Although [axial SpA (axSpA)] can affect both males and females, there are differences in gender in terms of prevalence, clinical presentation, disease

Physician assistants in rheumatology report higher job satisfaction and lower levels of burnout than those in other specialties despite working similar hours and receiving lower pay, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. “There exists a critical undersupply of rheumatology health care providers,” Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, program director and

Although most rheumatologists trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound bill for their imaging work, a “concerning” number fail to do so due to time constraints and poor reimbursement, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research. “Little is known about how rheumatologists are using musculoskeletal ultrasound in practice,” Fawad Aslam, MBBS, MS, a

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who demonstrate consistent long-term elevation of inflammatory markers have an increased risk for interstitial lung disease, according to data published in Arthritis Research & Therapy. “Several studies have identified elevated or moderate disease activity as a contributing factor for RA-ILD,” Ronja Ramien, of the German Rheumatology Research