Call for consensus on HCQ retinopathy screening

Australia should develop local screening guidelines for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy given the number of rheumatology patients using the DMARD long term and at risk of permanent vision loss. A Perspective article in the MJA said thousands of Australians were potentially at risk...

Australia should develop local screening guidelines for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy given the number of rheumatology patients using the DMARD long term...

News in brief: Plant based diet reduces inflammation; Has deprescribing of opioids been forgotten?; Oral versus subcut MTX

Reminder to beef up the veggies New research investigating 173 dietary factors and the gut microbiome of 1,425 people has provided further support for a largely plant-based diet to reduce the intestinal inflammation underlying many chronic diseases. The study found higher intake...

Reminder to beef up the veggies New research investigating 173 dietary factors and the gut microbiome of 1,425 people has provided...

Public Health

Patients with inflammatory diseases, immunosuppression still mount antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 vaccines lead to development of antibodies in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs), according to a small study, providing some reassurance for this patient group. Few side effects were seen and the vaccines did not lead...

COVID-19 vaccines lead to development of antibodies in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs), according to a...

Rare diseases

Maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for AAV in patients with SSc: experts

The combined pathologies of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) can result in “potentially devastating” outcomes, according to experts. Though relatively rare, they recommend a vigorous focus on definition and therapeutic strategy for SSc-AAV. AAVs – including...

The combined pathologies of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) can result in “potentially devastating” outcomes,...