News & Updates

The occurrence of sarcoidosis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is rare but seems to be more frequent when compared to the general population, reveals a study.

The selective autotaxin inhibitor ziritaxestat shows therapeutic potential in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, conferring greater reductions in modified Rodnan skin score compared with placebo and potentially reducing fibrosis, according to data from the phase IIa NOVESA study.

Communication between physicians and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) leaves a lot to be desired, with a recent study suggesting that rheumatologists must beef up communication to match the health literacy (HL) of their patients. Doing so may foster trust and improve self-management and outcomes in SLE.

Patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) have a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus as well as median fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body mass index (BMI) up to 5 years prior to diagnosis, according to a study, indicating the influence of metabolic factors on the risk of GCA.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) that requires musculoskeletal (MSK) surgery affects more than one in 10 patients (11.8 percent), reveals a study, adding that markers of cumulative disease activity and damage are associated with a greater need for a surgical procedure.

Laser acupuncture, when combined with supplementation with calcium and fluoride-containing vitamin D, appears to increase forearm bone mineral density and reduce wrist pain in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial.

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a history of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, or liver disease, as well as prior use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can contribute to an increased risk of relapse after methotrexate dose reduction, as suggested in a study.

Telecarers are beneficial in the monitoring of older hip fracture patients who are undergoing osteoporosis treatment, suggests a Singapore study. However, patient or family rejection and physician failure to prescribe persist as limitations of treatment.