Rheumatology News International RSS feed: Current Issue. http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Rheumatology News International1876-114366November 2011 © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700672/abstract?rss=yesCHICAGO – Patients with rheumatoid arthritis on antitumor necrosis factor drugs have no greater risk of developing solid cancers than RA patients on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, according to an analysis of registry data on more than 15,000 patients tracked for up to 5 years.Biologics' Solid CA Risk Seems NegligibleKERRI WACHTER10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70067-2Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News11http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700684/abstract?rss=yes Major Finding: Women with osteoarthritis experienced almost 30% more falls and had a 20% greater risk of fracture than those without OA.Osteoarthritis May Increase Risk of Falling: OA linked to more fractures in women.KERRI WACHTER10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70068-4Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News11http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700696/abstract?rss=yesCHICAGO – Denosumab remained well tolerated, safe, and effective for maintaining reduced bone turnover and for increasing bone mineral density after 6 years of continuous use in 2,343 postmenopausal women with increased fracture risk due to osteoporosis.Denosumab Remained Safe, Effective at 6 YearsSHARON WORCESTER10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70069-6Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News22http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700702/abstract?rss=yesVital Signs: Spending per Person on Insurance Administration for Selected Countries, 200910.1016/S1876-1143(11)70070-2Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News22http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700714/abstract?rss=yesDuring the first year after starting a new therapy, patients with autoimmune diseases appear to experience a similar rate of serious infections irrespective of whether the new drug is a biologic or a nonbiologic agent.Serious Infection Risk Similar for Biologics, NonbiologicsMICHELE G. SULLIVAN10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70071-4Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News33http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700726/abstract?rss=yesAlthough rare, primary systemic vasculitis in children is associated with significant mortality and morbidity when not properly treated. Optimal management of the group of multiorgan inflammatory conditions is hampered by the lack of evidence-based therapies. The shortage of data has been attributed in part to the absence of a standardized outcome measure for use in clinical trials, according to Dr. Pavla Dolezalova.New Tool, PVAS, Measures Pediatric VasculitisDiana Mahoney10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70072-6Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4Ask the Expert66http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700738/abstract?rss=yesCHICAGO – Tocilizumab remained highly effective with a favorable risk-benefit ratio after 2 years of continuous treatment in 61 patients with severe, refractory systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, findings from the ongoing phase III TENDER trial show.Tocilizumab Efficacy, Safety Sustained at 2 Years in sJIASHARON WORCESTER10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70073-8Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News66http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS187611431170074X/abstract?rss=yesRobust predictive biomarkers of response to rheumatoid arthritis treatment remain elusive, researchers said in a review of the recent literature on this topic. The ability to identify those rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies to which a patient is likely to respond is crucial in order to prevent unnecessary exposure to toxic adverse effects and allow physicians to “abandon the trial-and-error approach to treatment in favor of evidence-based guidance.” It would also help control treatment costs, said Dr. Paul Emery, who is the arthritis research campaign professor of rheumatology and head of the academic section of musculoskeletal disease at the University of Leeds (England), and Dr. Thomas Dörner, who is professor of rheumatology at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin.Biomarkers to Predict Treatment Response in RA Remain ElusiveMARY ANN MOON10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70074-XRheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News88http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700751/abstract?rss=yesCHICAGO – The shingles vaccine does not increase the risk of shingles in patients taking biologics for autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, based on data from more than 7,000 adults.Shingles Vaccine Safe For Use in Adults on Biologic Agents for RAHEIDI SPLETE10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70075-1Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News88http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700763/abstract?rss=yes Major Finding: In all, 81% of the women with low-activity disease had a favorable outcome. Indicated preterm delivery or small for gestational age occurred in 9.1% of SLE pregnancies. In addition, 10% of the mothers developed preeclampsia; the national level is closer to 4%.Mild SLE Usually Means Healthy PregnanciesKERRI WACHTER10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70076-3Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News1010http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700775/abstract?rss=yesCHICAGO – Newly updated American College of Rheumatology guidelines for the screening and management of lupus nephritis in adults, which are expected to be published in early 2012, focus largely on induction therapy with mycophenolate mofetil or cyclophosphamide and on maintenance therapy with mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine.New Lupus Nephritis Guidelines Will Address TherapySHARON WORCESTER10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70077-5Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News1010http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700787/abstract?rss=yes MS. KOCH KUBETIN is managing editor of RHEUMATOLOGY NEWS. You may contact her at rhnews@elsevier.com. A career in medicine snuck up on Dr. David Wofsy. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in mathematics in 1968, his mind was occupied by the large moral issues of the day.Dr. David Wofsy: A Committed ManSALLY KOCH KUBETIN10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70078-7Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4Profiles in Rheumatology1111http://www.rheumatologynewsint.eu/article/PIIS1876114311700799/abstract?rss=yesDr. Martin Lee maintains his come-what-may intention to kayak the circumference of Great Britain, despite a growing number of challenges to his plan to raise £100,000 in pledges for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.Rheumatologist Holds Fast to His Charitable PlansSALLY KOCH KUBETIN10.1016/S1876-1143(11)70079-9Rheumatology News International 6, 6 (2011)2011-11-01Rheumatology News International2011-11-0166S1876-1143(11)X7006-4News1111