Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is frequently used to treat patients with dermatomyositis. It has been associated with an increased risk of adverse skin reactions in these patients.
EnCOMPASSing the extent of “dysautonomia” in patients with Scleroderma
This study explores the prevalence and risk factors for “autonomic dysfunction” in scleroderma.
Robust B Cell Responses Predict Rapid Resolution of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi infection) is increasingly recognized as a significant worldwide illness. This study provides insights into important immune mechanisms involved in Borrelia burgdorferi clearance in human Lyme disease.
Maintenance therapy in well-controlled vasculitis: Is it ever ok to stop?
“Whether or not” and “how” to taper off the last bit of medication for patients with clinically stable ANCA-associated vasculitis are hotly debated topics in the vasculitis field.
Incidence of Lyme Disease Diagnosis in a Maryland Medicaid Population
This study evaluates overall incidence rates and demographic, seasonal, and geographic trends of first Lyme disease diagnosis among 384,652 Maryland Medicaid members enrolled from July 2004-June 2011 and represents the first analysis of claims data from publicly insured individuals.
Cognitive Decline in Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Patients with Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) commonly complain of cognitive symptoms. The study found, in subsets of PTLDS patients, objective evidence of cognitive decline in verbal memory and processing speed, cognitive impairment, and sub-optimal engagement with testing.
Obstacles to Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease in the USA
To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore factors which may contribute to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. We identified distinct, potentially modifiable risk factors between onset of first Lyme disease symptoms and treatment. Targeting these drivers may reduce time to diagnosis and treatment and reduce the occurrence of late-stage Lyme disease complications.
Cancer immunotherapy regimens and clinical features of inflammatory arthritis
This is a study of 30 patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor induced inflammatory arthritis. Their clinical features and relationship to immunotherapy regimen were evaluated, as was the course of their arthritis.
Poor Sleep Quality Shown for Lyme Disease Patients
This is the first study to examine and quantify sleep quality in the context of well-defined early Lyme disease (LD) and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). The findings provide support that sleep disturbance should be considered in the clinical picture of individuals with LD. Sleep quality may particularly be poor and associated with the pain experience for individuals with PTLDS. Future research will need to validate and expand upon these findings to investigate sleep quality in individuals exposed to LD who are not well-defined and/or ideally treated.
