The Evidence Based Rheumatology Podcast

Double episode this week and then I'll be taking the holidays off.  I decided to combine two trials of immunotherapy for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, the CANTOS trial (canakinumab vs. placebo) and the CIRT trial (methotrexate vs. placebo).  It was a good opportunity to debunk both therapies and take a few pot shots at observational trials, "bioplausibility," and surrogate endpoints. Both papers are available on my box account here.

Interesting trial this week pitting an elaborate nurse led group against suboptimal usual care.  Suboptimal usual care lost pretty badly, but what to make of this?  And does it support the rheumatologist side of the treat to target controversy?  Listen to find out and be sure to follow on @EBRheum if you have your own thoughts! 

Great article that (kind of) proves something a lot of us already believed; non-opioids management of chronic pain is preferable to opioid management.  Lots of caveats, there, as this was a pragmatic trial (literally) with a number of interesting limitations. Follow me @EBRheum to give feedback and go here to get all of the papers!