Rheum Round-up: Abatacept vs. Other bDMARDs in RA, OA and Discrimination, and more

How Does Abatacept Compare To Other bDMARDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment?

A study evaluated the use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and compared outcomes between patients taking abatacept compared to other bDMARDs.

Sixty-eight patients who received abatacept as their first line of therapy (LOT) were on treatment much longer compared to those receiving other bDMARDs (53.4 months vs. 17.4 months); this was similar for the second LOT. Patients receiving other bDMARDs who stopped after six months were more likely to sustain an infection requiring antibiotics compared to patients receiving abatacept.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/how-does-abatacept-compare-to-other-bdmards-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment/

Perceived Discrimination Worsens Pain, Mental Outcomes in Osteoarthritis

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and perceived discrimination, particularly those coming from multiple socially disadvantaged groups, are more likely to experience worse pain and depression, according to a study.

The researchers specifically looked at 270 Black veterans and 247 White veterans, all of whom were aged ≥50 years and had self‐reported symptomatic knee OA. Each patients’ socially disadvantaged groups were determined to calculate their cumulative disadvantage. Disadvantaged groups included female sex, Black race, annual income <$20,000, and unemployed due to disability. The mean number of social disadvantages was 1.3. Significant correlations were observed between cumulative disadvantage and higher perceived discrimination, pain, and depression. Perceived discrimination had a large mediative impact on the relationship between cumulative disadvantage and depression symptoms and pain severity.

https://www.docwirenews.com/urban-health-today/urban-health-picks/perceived-discrimination-worsens-pain-mental-outcomes-in-osteoarthritis/

Musculoskeletal, CV Diseases Associated With Physical Capability in Women

A study observed a correlation between musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and faster degradation of physical capability in women.

A significant correlation was observed between self-reported physical capability and functional tests. The most significant association was observed between CVD and musculoskeletal disorders and decreased physical capability. Women with full physical capability, versus those who were much more limited, had much lower rates of hypertension, RA, and mortality.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/musculoskeletal-cv-diseases-associated-with-physical-capability-in-women/

Model Predicts Persistent Opioid Use After Total Knee Replacement

A model with 10 predictors can identify persistent high-dose opioid use in the year following total knee replacement, according to a study published online Feb. 3 in Arthritis Care & Research.

“The predictors in the reduced model focused mainly on variables that are well captured in claims such as demographics and prior medication use (including opioid use) and thus may be more generalizable when used in other settings,” the authors write. “Using a simple algorithm to preoperatively identify patients at high risk of persistent opioid use may help providers exercise appropriate caution before prescribing opioids after surgery.”

https://www.docwirenews.com/condition-center/orthopedicscc/orthopedics-center-picks/model-predicts-persistent-opioid-use-after-total-knee-replacement/