RheumaCast

A new episode focusses on the recently published 2024 EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

This importnat guideline provides practical advice for rheumatologists navigating the complexities of managing patients with both inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis,and a past cancer diagnosis.

In this episode, we'll delve into key aspects of these recommendations, including:

• The importance of assessing the individualized risk of cancer recurrence,

• The necessity of co-management with oncology specialists and shared decision-making with patients,

• The recommendation to initiate appropriate targeted antirheumatic treatment without delay in patients with cancer in remission,

• Guidance on managing patients with active IA and a malignancy that is not in remission.

This episode is for rheumatologists, oncologists, primary care physicians, and anyone involved in the care of patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer. Understanding these 2024 EULAR points to consider can help enhance therapeutic decision-making and optimize patient outcomes.

This episode is based to the publication Sebbag E, et al.Ann Rheum Dis 2025;84:388-397

and was developed with NotebookLM.

This study explores the impact of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) subtype and sex on the discontinuation of first-line biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). The key findings indicate that patients with non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and female patients are more likely to discontinue bDMARD therapy and exhibit lower treatment survival rates compared to their counterparts. Listen to get more details in this deep dive.

Based onRemalante-Rayco P, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2025

and develop with NotebookLM.

This episode deals with the development of a consensus-based expert definition for difficult-to-manage (D2M) axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including treatment-refractory (TR) disease. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritisInternational Society (ASAS) spearheaded this effort through a literature review and a two-round Delphi process. The resulting D2M definition encompasses treatment failure, suboptimal disease control, and acknowledgement ofproblematic signs/symptoms by physicians or patients. TRaxSpA falls under this D2M umbrella but requires evidence of treatment failure and objective signs of inflammatory activity. Endorsed by ASAS, the definition aims tostandardize the identification of patients with unmet needs and facilitate further research and improved clinical care in this area.

This episode is based on the publication Poddubnyy D, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2025

and is developed with NotebookLM.

This research investigates the impact of colchicine, a medication used to prevent gout flares, on cardiovascular events in patients initiating urate-lowering therapy. Using a large UK primary care database, the study compared patients prescribed colchicine prophylaxis with those who received no prophylaxis. The findings suggest that colchicine prophylaxis is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction or stroke in gout patients starting urate-lowering therapy.

Based on Cipolletta E, et al. Lancet Rheumatol 2025

and developed with NotebookLM.

This study assesses the accuracy and readability of four AI chatbots (ChatGPT 3.5, Bing, Bard, and ChatGPT 4.0) in answering common patient questions about low back pain (LBP). Researchers evaluated responses against established LBP guidelines, finding moderate accuracy overall,

This podcast is based on the publication by Simone P.S. Scaff et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2025;84(1):143-149

and is developed with NotebookLM.

This episode deals with the development of extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (EMMs) in patients with psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis treated with a Janus-kinase-1-Inhibitor upadacitinib. The study analyzed data from five clinical trials, comparing upadacitinib

This episode is based on the publication Poddubnyy D, et al.

and developed with Notebook LM.

This study investigates the link between MRI-detected inflammation and clinical outcomes in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients treated with a TNF inhibitor etanercept. Using data from the ESTHER trial, the study found a strong association between the resolution of inflammation on MRI and

This podcast is based on the publication Torgutalp M, et al. RMD Open. 2025 Jan 6;11(1):e004921.

and is developed with NotebookLM.

This research article investigates the relationship between osteo-proliferative lesions on finger phalanges, sex, age, and osteoarthritis. Using X-rays of 1153 patients, researchers examined the frequency and location of these lesions, finding that men showed more lesions than women, with age and osteoarthritis positively correlated with lesion extent. A

Based on Hermann S et al. Diagnostics 2022; 12: 618.

Develop with NotebookLM.

This study compares osteitis condensans ilii (OCI) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), focusing on their clinical, laboratory, and MRI characteristics. Researchers found that OCI predominantly affects women and lacks the inflammatory markers typical of axSpA. While both

This episode is based on Poddubnyy D, et al. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020;59(12):3798-3806.

and developed with NotebookLM.

This episode focuses on a randomized, placebo-controlled trial that evaluated the efficacy of infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, in alleviating chronic low back pain in patients with Modic type 1 changes (degenerative disc disease with bone marrow edema) identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results indicate that TNF blockade is not effective for this condition.

This podcast is based on the publication by Gjefsen E, et al (2024)

and was developed with NotebookLM.