Noticias

MedPage Today Rheumatology

Low IgG Poses Infection Risk With Rituximab (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Certain subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly those who have low levels of IgG, are at risk for severe infections when treated with rituximab, French investigators found.

FDA Panel Roundly Rejects CNS Drug for Fibromyalgia

BETHESDA, Md. (MedPage Today) -- A federal advisory panel has voted 20-2 to recommend that the FDA not grant approval for an expanded indication for sodium oxybate (Xyrem) -- also known as GHB -- to treat fibromyalgia.

CV Events Early in Minorities With SLE (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Striking racial disparities exist in the age at which patients with systemic lupus erythematosus experience cardiovascular events, with minorities faring notably worse, a large study showed.

FDA Panel Looks at CNS Depressant for Fibromyalgia

BETHESDA, Md. (MedPage Today) -- A joint FDA advisory committee will meet here Friday to consider whether the narcolepsy drug sodium oxybate (Xyrem) should receive an additional indication to treat fibromyalgia.

Equivocal Message on Duloxetine for Pain from Panel

BETHESDA, Md. (MedPage Today) -- An FDA advisory committee has voted narrowly -- 8 to 6 -- to recommend that the agency expand the indication for the antidepressant duloxetine (Cymbalta) to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Tai Chi Relieves Fibromyalgia (CME/CE, with video)

(MedPage Today) -- The mind-body activity of tai chi improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia without any safety concerns, a single-center, randomized controlled trial showed.

Atherosclerosis Starts Early in RA (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- The atherosclerotic process begins very early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis, an ongoing prospective Swedish study has found.

Bone Loss Seen Early in Inflammatory Disorders (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Half of patients with early spondylarthropathy -- particularly men with active ankylosing spondylitis -- also have low bone mineral density, a cross-sectional Dutch study found.

FDA Panel to Consider Pain Indication for Antidepressant

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- An FDA advisory committee will meet later this week to review whether the antidepressant duloxetine (Cymbalta) should be used as a treatment for chronic pain despite risks that include liver damage and skin disease.

Sham Acupuncture Matches the Real Thing in Knee OA (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Traditional Chinese acupuncture was no more effective than sham acupuncture in relieving pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, researchers said.

New RA Criteria Focus on Early Dx (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Rapid and profound changes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis over the past two decades has led to a revision of classification criteria for the disease by the major North American and European rheumatology organizations working together.