News & Updates

Nearly half of all rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients suffer comorbidity, which has a negative impact on quality of life and mortality. At a recent scientific symposium, Professor Peter Taylor from the University of Oxford in Oxford, UK emphasized the importance of monitoring, preventing, and treating comorbidities in RA while Professor Christopher Edwards from the University Hospital Southampton in Southampton, UK focused on the impact of mental health in RA. The symposium was organized by Fresenius Kabi and held under the auspices of the Singapore Society of Rheumatology. Dr Lian Tsui Yee from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore chaired the event.

That COVID-19 mostly spared children might be changing. The Delta variant has taken a severe, unthinkable toll on kids – at least in Arkansas, US, reports an expert at IDWeek 2021.

A large retrospective study from the US, presented at IDWeek 2021, has shown that the Abbott ID NOW rapid molecular COVID-19 assay is highly sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in a paediatric population.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), carries a significant morbidity risk. Risk factors for VTE include surgery, hospitalization, pregnancy, contraceptive use, older age, overweight, and obesity. Dr Lee Yuh Shan, a haematologist at Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore, explains how newer drugs such as apixaban (Eliquis, Pfizer) address the challenges posed by conventional VTE management therapies.