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Rheumnow Podcast

ACR24 RA Panel Key Discussions on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dec 3, 2024
Rheumatologists Eric Dein from Atlantic Health, Jiha Lee from the University of Michigan, and Jeffrey Spark from Harvard Medical School dive into crucial topics surrounding rheumatoid arthritis. They discuss the importance of statin prescription amidst cardiovascular risks and the challenges of steroid use, particularly for elderly patients. Innovations in remote monitoring with smartphone technology and AI are highlighted, alongside a study aimed at improving fertility for women with RA, showcasing advancements in tailored treatment strategies.
48:30

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The underutilization of statins among rheumatoid arthritis patients on tofacitinib highlights the urgent need for cardiovascular risk assessments by rheumatologists.
  • Long-term glucocorticoid use in rheumatoid arthritis patients significantly increases mortality risks, emphasizing the importance of careful medication management and discontinuation strategies.

Deep dives

The Importance of Optimizing Statin Use in Patients on Tofacitinib

Research presented highlighted the underutilization of statins among rheumatoid arthritis patients taking tofacitinib, particularly those with a history of cardiovascular disease. Among patients identified with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, only half were on a statin, with a mere 14% on high-intensity therapy. Notably, the analysis showed that those patients on a statin had similar major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) as those on adalimumab, indicating that proper management of comorbidities could mitigate risks associated with tofacitinib. This emphasizes the need for rheumatologists to prioritize cardiovascular risk assessments and therapy optimization to enhance patient safety and efficacy of treatments.

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