Friday 5 from Rheumatology Network - April 23

This week, the Friday 5 from Rheumatology Network highlights the correlation between factors like social determinants and sex on disease burden and outcomes in patients with rheumatic disease. Additionally, test your knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis with our latest quiz. Topic: Principles of Treat-to-Target.

Poor Social Determinants Linked to Worse Care and Outcomes for Patients With Lupus

While further studies are needed, the results indicate that resolving the SDoH issues, via programs like the iCMP, may decrease healthcare costs while equalizing care and outcomes for both patients with SLE and those with complex chronic conditions in general.

Rituximab May Be Linked to Severe COVID-19 Outcomes

Long-term administration of rituximab may be associated with more severe COVID-19 outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death, especially for those with other comorbidities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Quiz: Principles of Treat-to-Target

A treat-to-target strategy is recommended by the American College of Rheumatology for managing rheumatoid arthritis patients over a non-targeted approach. Test your knowledge of the rationale for treat-to target and how it should be implemented in our quiz.

Women With Axial Spondyloarthritis Have Higher Disease Burden Than Men

Investigators discovered that women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have an overall higher disease burden and more peripheral manifestations when compared with men. They further theorized that awareness of these differences and the way the condition presents differently in both sexes may be used to more easily identify axSpA and improve disease management.

Impaired Long-Term Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction Compounded by Glucocorticoid Use in RA

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a poorer prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI) than patients without RA, and longer RA disease duration and glucocorticoid use before MI are associated with higher mortality and recurrent MI.