Rheumatology News International RSS feed: Current Issue. http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Rheumatology News International1876-114354July 2010 © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700379/abstract?rss=yesROME — Revised recommendations for the management of ankylosing spondylitis from two international societies set tumor necrosis factor inhibitors as the cornerstone of treatment for patients who fail to have an adequate response to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Anti-TNFs Among First Choices in ASMITCHEL L. ZOLER10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70037-9Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-511http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700380/abstract?rss=yes Major Finding: A score of 17 or higher on a 27-question survey being developed in Europe is 92.9% sensitive and 25.5% specific for NPSLE.Neuropsychiatric Screening Tool Sensitive in SLE: Questionnaire takes just 8 minutes.M. ALEXANDER OTTO10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70038-0Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-511http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700392/abstract?rss=yesROME — Sjögren's syndrome patients whose salivary gland biopsies were positive for germinal center–like structures were 15 times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, compared with patients who had negative biopsies, based on biopsy data from 175 patients.Biomarker May Predict Sjögren's Lymphoma RiskHEIDI SPLETE10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70039-2Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-522http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700409/abstract?rss=yesROME — Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are recognized to be a common and serious complication of longstanding spondyloarthropathies, but vertebral fractures also proved unexpectedly common in a series of recently diagnosed patients.Spondyloarthropathies: Look Early for Fractures in MenBRUCE JANCIN10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70040-9Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-522http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700410/abstract?rss=yesVital Signs: Who Funds Clinical Trials?10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70041-0Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-522http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700422/abstract?rss=yesVANCOUVER, B.C. — Mycophenolate mofetil is more effective than azathioprine in preventing lupus nephritis relapses following induction therapy with mycophenolate mofetil or intravenous cyclophosphamide, according to data from a phase III study. Results of the trial were unblinded in June and presented at the conference for the first time.Lupus Nephritis Relapse Was Less Common With MMFM. ALEXANDER OTTO10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70042-2Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-533http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700434/abstract?rss=yesVANCOUVER, B.C. — A daily dose of at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D is required to elevate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL, the minimum threshold for optimal immune health, according to Dr. Diane Kamen, a rheumatologist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.Vitamin D Repletion in Lupus Requires About 2,000 IU Daily: The rheumatology literature still contains recommendations of 600-800 IU daily.M. ALEXANDER OTTO10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70043-4Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-566http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700446/abstract?rss=yesVANCOUVER, B.C. — Autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplants induced durable, treatment-free remissions in four of eight patients with severe, refractory systemic lupus erythematosus in a National Institutes of Health pilot study.Severe SLE May Remit With Stem-Cell TransplantationM. ALEXANDER OTTO10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70044-6Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-566http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700458/abstract?rss=yesROME — A tailored combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and physical exercise training has achieved the largest treatment benefit ever reported for fibromyalgia in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Tailored Fibromyalgia Therapy Improves FunctionBRUCE JANCIN10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70045-8Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-588http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS187611431070046X/abstract?rss=yesROME — Treatment of patients with the dietary supplement avocado-soybean unsaponifiables over 3 years led to a modest but statistically significant reduction in radiographic disease progression in a placebo-controlled study with 345 people with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.Supplement Slowed Progression of Joint Damage in Hip OAMITCHEL L. ZOLER10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70046-XRheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-588http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700471/abstract?rss=yes Major Findings: Smokers had a 68% increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis, compared with nonsmokers, and RA patients with a smoking history of 11-20 pack-years had a 60% reduced rate of response to 12 months of treatment with a TNF inhibitor.Smoking Ups RA Risk, Dulls Treatment Response: Questionnaire data showed show that TNF blockers are less effective in patients after 11 pack-years.MITCHEL L. ZOLER10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70047-1Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-599http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700483/abstract?rss=yes Major Finding: Patients with a variety of arthritis types reported a significant, approximately 70% lower prevalence of alcohol use, compared with arthritis-free adults.Arthritis Diagnosis Linked to Lower Rates of Alcohol UseMITCHEL L. ZOLER10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70048-3Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-599http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700495/abstract?rss=yes Major Finding: More patients achieved a EULAR good response at 6 months and 12 months when treated with leflunomide along with rituximab (and also had a lower incidence of retreatment) than did patients who were treated with methotrexate plus rituximab, or rituximab alone.Leflunomide-Rituximab Combo Effective in RACHRISTINE KILGORE10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70049-5Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-51111http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700501/abstract?rss=yesROME — A strontium-chloride–based topical agent showed favorable efficacy and safety for the relief of moderate-to-severe osteoarthritic knee pain in a phase II study. Known as 2PX for research purposes, this low-viscosity liquid contains 10% strontium chloride hexahydrate as its active ingredient.Novel Topical Agent Eased Moderate-to-Severe OA PainBRUCE JANCIN10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70050-1Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-51111http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114310700513/abstract?rss=yesROME — Patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis who were treated with the interleukin 6–inhibitor drug tocilizumab produced strong responses in a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial.IL-6 Blocker Tocilizumab Seems Effective for JIAMITCHEL L. ZOLER10.1016/S1876-1143(10)70051-3Rheumatology News International 5, 4 (2010)2010-07-01Rheumatology News International2010-07-0154S1876-1143(10)X7004-51111