As immunotherapies are increasingly used for a range of cancers, new cases of rheumatic disease are likely to emerge. INTRODUCTION Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a group of medicines used to treat some cancers. They work with a person’s immune system to fight the cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors include drugs called nivolumab (also known by its […]
Category: Drug treatment
Ixekizumab: a new treatment option for people with PsA
Ixekizumab treatment resulted in improvements in disease activity and physical function in people with PsA. INTRODUCTION Psoriatic arthritis (often shortened to PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. The disease often causes swelling of the fingers and toes. It gets its name from the link between this […]
Managing the use of glucocorticoid therapy in rheumatic disease
This is the patient version of the EULAR recommendations for the management of glucocorticoid medicines in people with rheumatic diseases. The original publication can be downloaded from the EULAR website: www.eular.org. INTRODUCTION Glucocorticoids (prednisone or prednisolone) are medicines to reduce inflammation. They are used in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia, lupus and vasculitis […]
Treatment-free remission may soon be a realistic goal in rheumatoid arthritis
Tapering and sometimes discontinuation of DMARDS is possible in people with rheumatoid arthritis who achieve sustained remission, hinting at the possibility that the disease could be cured. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and disability. It can also affect internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in older people, but […]
Tofacitinib effective despite previous biologic therapy
Tofacitinib is effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when used either before or after biologics. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. It can also affect internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in older people, but there is also a […]
New drug tabalumab offers limited efficacy in lupus
Tabalumab will not be developed any further for lupus, but may offer insights into future trial design for other treatment options. INTRODUCTION Systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as SLE or lupus) is an autoimmune disease. It typically affects women between the ages of 15 and 50 and symptoms flare up unpredictably. Lupus is caused by […]
Adalimumab has no impact on pain in osteoarthritis
Adalimumab was not superior to placebo for relieving pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the hands. INTRODUCTION Osteoarthritis is a condition that makes a person’s joints stiff and painful, particularly in the morning. It is caused by thinning of the cartilage within the joints, which allows the bones to rub against each other. It is […]
Low-dose methotrexate may be the best starting option for patients initiating treatment with adalimumab
Some medicines used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may have different efficacy and safety depending on the dose used. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. Methotrexate is commonly used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, both on its own and in combination […]
Rituximab may reverse fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis
Rituximab may offer a new treatment option in patients with systemic sclerosis. INTRODUCTION Systemic sclerosis is a serious disease of the connective tissues, where the tissue grows abnormally and triggers the immune system to attack itself (autoimmunity). This can cause hardening (fibrosis) and swelling of the skin, as well as joint pain, digestive problems and […]
Tocilizumab may increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, but not the most damaging type of cholesterol
Some medicines used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may alter the balance of lipids and cholesterol in the blood. INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects a person’s joints, causing pain and disability. People with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as heart […]
