Malignancy Risks With Biologic Therapies
The management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) dramatically changed in 1998 with the introduction of etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of RA and Crohn colitis. Nine biologic agents are currently…
Perioperative Drug Safety in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
The expansion of therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved the functional, quality of life, and radiographic outcomes for patients, although immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects may increase the potential…
Infections and Biologic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk for serious infections and death from infection than the general public. Prednisone and biologic agents increase this risk, although the risk associated…
Nonserious Infections
Nonserious infections (NSIE) as colds, flu syndromes, and urinary tract infection, are the most common infections seen in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases. Yet, little is known about the…
Safety of Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonates are antiresorptive medications widely prescribed for treating osteoporosis. In placebo-controlled clinical trials they have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures. However, reports of atypical femoral…
Communicating the Risk of Side Effects to Rheumatic Patients
When proposing a new therapy, rheumatologists must inform patients of a range of therapeutic options and support them towards making an informed decision. This article introduces definitions of equipoise and…
Safety of Urate-Lowering Therapies
Gout is a metabolic disorder of purine metabolism and uric acid elimination. Over time, acute gout can develop into a chronic, disabling arthropathy, often associated with multiple comorbidities. Gout patients…
Refining Drug Safety in Rheumatology
John J. Cush, MD, Guest Editor Kathryn H. Dao, MD, Guest Editor An exciting era of rheumatology is upon us. Advances in pathobiology have produced novel advances in the treatment…
Nonarthroplasty Hip Surgery for Early Osteoarthritis
The most favorable mechanical environment for the hip is one that is free of both instability and impingement, creating a concentric articulation with optimum femoral head coverage by the acetabulum….
Targeting Care
International evidence-based guidelines recommend a multitude of nonsurgical treatment options for the management of osteoarthritis. This article summarizes the evidence available for patient characteristics that have been analyzed as potential…
