Rheumatology
Clinical discussions on autoimmune diseases, biologic therapies, vasculitis, and musculoskeletal conditions.
Recent Discussions
What factors do you consider when advising a patient with lupus nephritis on the safety of becoming pregnant?
I agree with Dr. @Dr. First Last's excellent suggestions (with just one exception!). I don't increase prednisone prophylactively for lupus pregnancy - I would only add or increase steroid if there is a flare. The risks of steroid in pregnancy impact both maternal and pregnancy outcomes, so we try to...
Would you consider anabolic osteoporosis therapy in a young adult male with multiple non-traumatic vertebral compression fractures and low bone density for age (Z-score -2.6)?
I think a young male with multiple minimal trauma vert fractures and low BMD is appropriate to consider anabolic therapy. Of course, a thorough workup needs to be done to determine if there are any treatable causes of bone loss. If it is determined that he has “idiopathic osteoporosis” then treatmen...
In which patients with CHE will you prioritize early use of delgocitinib?
I can't think of any that I'd prioritize specifically compared to other patients. Trial of high-potency topical steroids, then Anzupgo next visit if not doing great. Other key point is to stop the steroid when you start the Anzupgo - topical steroids have a very strong negative impact on barrier fun...
How do you manage rheumatoid arthritis that flares when an adjunctive NSAID is withdrawn despite otherwise stable DMARD therapy?
I believe one of the critical questions here is the nature of the flare. Is this an individual who went from complete control to 6 new swollen and tender joints and very prolonged morning stiffness? Or is it someone who still visibly lacks evidence of active inflammatory arthritis, continues to have...
Would you add a DMARD such as methotrexate for a patient with GCA and partial response to tocilizumab but inability to taper prednisone below 10mg daily?
This is a clinical scenario that comes up relatively frequently, but unfortunately, there is a lack of data to guide this decision, and both approaches are reasonable. On balance, methotrexate has been demonstrated to have a moderate effect with respect to steroid sparing and reducing relapses in GC...
Would you continue Forteo treatment past the recommended 2 years if T scores remain low and procollagen (P1NP) is elevated and if so, how would you monitor response?
I would offer a third year of a PTH analogue if the BMD response is less than a -2.5 T Score. I would follow quarterly serum calcium levels and a BMD for 1 year to assess the effects.
If a patient is legally blind and on hydroxychloroquine, do you still recommend follow up with ophthalmology to monitor for hydroxychloroquine retinal toxicity?
A patient who is legally blind but taking hydroxychloroquine absolutely needs to be monitored by an ophthalmologist. The usual definition of legal blindness in the United States is vision no better than 20/200 in the better-seeing eye. But 20/200 is far better than say counting fingers (the ability ...
What is your approach to further work-up and management of neutropenia in patients with SLE/RA overlap?
This is an interesting situation that comes up in the routine evaluation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune syndromes. The normocellular bone marrow suggests a peripheral destruction, in general, and raises some concerns for antibodies directed against neutrophils. These are ...
Have you used JAK inhibitors with TNF blockade at the same time?
Generally, no. For three reasons: I find the addition of a JAK inhibitor to a TNF inhibitor to be too immunosuppressive with a high risk of infection and/or malignancy. If I am choosing a JAK inhibitor, it would serve to "replace" the TNF inhibitor usually, so I don't see a strong indication to sta...
How would you manage axial spondyloarthritis in a patient who was doing well on TNF inhibitor therapy then developed a new solid organ malignancy while on treatment?
The story here is an important one. I was able to discuss this with @Dr. First Last, who supplied important insights. Most of the good (and bad) data supporting what to do when your patient had a prior malignancy in remission or who develops one on treatment comes from experience with treating rheum...