The Evidence Based Rheumatology Podcast

E66: MRI to Diagnose PMR

Great paper to discuss this week - one that may be too good to believe? I highly recommend checking out the pdf first (ebrheum.com/twts) - their graphics are wonderful and do a great job of conveying their message.  Also, check out the "2-5-10" rule that I referenced!  This is required reading for anyone who rotates with me - easily one of the most useful EBM papers I have ever read. 

E65: Anifrolumab in SLE - A Reply

Quick podcast this week that expands on issues I discuss in Episode 55.  Go back and listen to that one first if you have time!  I think this is an important issue and it's one I'd like to highlight.  Let me know what you think @ebrheum and please share with friends! 

E63: Housekeeping #3

The podcast is back!  I tune in briefly here to explain where I've been, what I'm doing, and where this will be headed. Feel free to skip right ahead if you'd rather just dig back in! 

E57: PEXIVAS Trial - PLEX and Reduced Steroid in ANCA Vasculitis

PEXIVAS has landed!  This week I go over the trial and my take on it's results.  Impressive undertaking that answered two questions for a subset of patients with AAV - well worth the time to kick back and read the trial in full. Let me know what you think about the podcast @ebrheum! 

E56: Continue or Withdraw Prednisone in SLE (CORTICOLUP)

(Yet) another RCT this week!  Nice investigator initiated trial with many wonderful strengths and a few crippling flaws. Great opportunity to think about a common problem in practice as well as a separate common problem in trials! 

E55: Anifrolumab for SLE (TULIP 1&2)

This week I talk about the recently published TULIP 1 and TULIP 2 trials that assessed anifrolumab for active SLE.  Great to see a new drug in this disease state; interesting to think through how these trials played out.  Get the papers and the pod at ebrheum.com and follow me @ebrheum if you'd like to share feedback! 

E54: Rheum4Debate - Triple Tx is 1st Line in RA w/No Response to MTX

Happy New Year!  This week Dr. Anisha Dua (@anisha_dua) and Dr. Sarah Fantus (@sarahfantus) debate this motion: "In MTX non-responders with RA, triple therapy (adding HCQ & SSZ) should be first line."  Please be sure to VOTE AGAIN on twitter (@ebrheum) after you have listened! 

E53: Another Look at Nintedanib for SSc-ILD

This week I go back to a topic from episode 42, the SENSCIS trial and nintedanib for SSc-ILD.  The way this medication has been received and a recent article I wrote for The Rheumatologist gave me a nice jumping off point to cover a few more issues from this. Be sure to follow me @EBRheum to let me know what you think! The corresponding article is available here: https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/fda-approves-nintedanib-for-ssc-ild-but-temper-your-expectations/

E52: HOPE RCT - Prednisone for OA of the Hand

Surprising RCT this week discussing the HOPE trial, which pitted 10mg prednisone against placebo for inflammatory hand OA. I do think this will change my practice, but in a far narrower sense than the headline would suggest. Check it out and find all my other content at ebrheum.com! 

E51: Rheum4Debate - "Start TCZ Upfront in GCA"

Rheum4Debate is back!  This week we have Dr. Anisha Dua arguing in support of the motion, "Patients with newly diagnosed GCA should start glucocorticoids WITH tocilizumab over glucocorticoids alone."  I argue against the motion and Dr. Sarah Fantus was kind enough to moderate.  

 

In our pre-debate poll, 51% supported the motion, 34% disagree with the motion, and 15% were undecided.  Please be sure to vote in the post-debate motion on twitter as well!  Find me @ebrheum, Dr. Dua @anisha_dua, and Dr. Fantus @sarahfantus.