August 2025 to November 2025
Author: Victoria Sadovici-Bobeica
2024 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guideline for the Screening, Treatment, and Management of Lupus Nephritis
Sammaritano LR et al. (10.1002/art.43212) in this guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for screening, treatment, and management of lupus nephritis. It includes 28 graded recommendations (7 strong, 21 conditional) and 13 ungraded good practice statements. Key recommendations emphasize continuous therapy, starting with pulse glucocorticoids followed by a taper and two immunosuppressive agents for 3-5 years in patients achieving complete renal response. Treatment decisions should be individualized, considering patient preferences and unique clinical situations.
Effects of Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Sleep Problems in Fibromyalgia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hudson J et al. (10.1002/acr.25505) in this review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of interventions for fibromyalgia-related sleep problems. Analyzing 168 studies, network meta-analysis (NMA) found that land-based aerobic and aquatic exercise may improve sleep quality compared to placebo. Other interventions, including strengthening exercises, psychological therapy, electrotherapy, weight loss, and certain medications (antipsychotics, tricyclics), showed modest effects. However, the evidence quality is low, and more research is needed to confirm the best treatment approaches for improving sleep in fibromyalgia patients.
Cost-Effectiveness of Standardized Education and Exercise Therapy for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis vs. Usual Care
Mazzei DR et al. (10.1002/acr.25555) in this study assessed the real-world cost-effectiveness of the GLA:D education and exercise therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis (HKOA) compared to usual care (UC) in Alberta, Canada. Over 12 months, GLA:D showed a positive incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of $6,065 from a Ministry of Health perspective, but less certainty over a lifetime. GLA:D was more cost-effective in the short term, with a 54% probability of being cost-effective at a $30,000/QALY threshold, although results were less clear when private insurance and out-of-pocket costs were considered.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Risk of Thyroid Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Cho MH et al. (10.1002/acr.25582) in this study investigated the risk of thyroid cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a nationwide database. Among 40,895 newly diagnosed RA patients and 204,475 controls, no significant difference in thyroid cancer risk was found (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.98). Seropositive RA patients had similar thyroid cancer risk compared to seronegative patients (aHR 1.03). Stratified analyses by sex and age also showed no significant interaction. Overall, RA status, serologic status, sex, and age did not influence thyroid cancer risk.
Validation of Lung Ultrasound Criteria for Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis and Inflammatory Myopathy
Fairchild RM et al. (10.1002/acr.25567) in this study validated the revised lung ultrasound (LUS-ILD-24) criteria for detecting interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and inflammatory myopathy (IM). In 95 patients, LUS showed excellent sensitivity (92.4%-95.5%) and specificity (82.8%-86.2%) for ILD detection, with near-perfect inter- and intrareader agreement. LUS severity correlated with CT imaging severity and pulmonary function tests. The findings support using LUS-ILD-24 as a reliable screening tool for ILD in SSc and IM patients.
Victoria Sadovici-Bobeica
Victoria is an assistant professor at the Department of Internal Medicine of the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu” in Moldova and Rheumatologist at the International Hospital Medpark, Moldova. She graduated from the same university in 2009.
Her main research interests include systemic diseases and systemic lupus erythematosus.