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Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated disorder caused by intolerance to gluten. It can manifest with a wide range of symptoms, both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal, and affects individuals of various ages, races, and ethnicities. The prevalence of celiac disease has been increasing, possibly due to environmental factors such as changing dietary patterns and altered wheat consumption. Diagnosis of celiac disease can be challenging, but recent guidelines have allowed for a no-biopsy approach in certain circumstances. The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet, which can be difficult and may not resolve all clinical issues. Patients with celiac disease are at an increased risk for several life-threatening conditions, both gastrointestinal and non-GI. The gluten-free diet poses challenges for patients, including financial burdens and nutrient imbalances. Efforts are being made to develop novel therapeutic options for celiac disease, but no therapies have reached phase 3 testing yet. [Extracted from the article]

Children with rheumatologic conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and pediatric lupus may experience worse disease outcomes if they are exposed to multiple social disadvantages, according to research presented at the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance's annual scientific meeting. The studies found that factors such as low income, lack of insurance, and limited education were associated with increased disease activity and functional disability in these children. The findings highlight the importance of considering social determinants of health and providing support to patients at the individual level to improve outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

A study presented at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2024 Annual Meeting found that the drug canakinumab effectively controlled systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) without the use of glucocorticoids for up to a year in most participants. The study involved 20 patients with newly diagnosed sJIA who were treated off glucocorticoids. After three monthly injections, fever was controlled in all patients and 16 patients achieved remission. The study suggests that canakinumab may be a promising first-line treatment for sJIA, although larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted across 33 US hospitals found that emapalumab-containing regimens were effective in stabilizing key laboratory parameters and improving survival rates in patients with rheumatologic disease-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The study included 15 patients with rheumatologic disease-associated HLH, most of whom had systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis or adult-onset Still's disease. Emapalumab treatment led to the achievement of normal fibrinogen levels and an 80.6% reduction in the required glucocorticoid dose. The 12-month survival probability from the initiation of emapalumab was 86.7% in all patients with rheumatologic disease-associated HLH. However, it is important to note that the study had limitations, including missing or incomplete chart data and a small sample size. The study was supported by Sobi, the company that markets emapalumab. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Still's disease, which suggests grouping systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) into one disease. It also mentions the importance of identifying and treating macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) promptly and aim for drug-free remission as the treatment target.

The FDA has granted new indications for the use of upadacitinib (Rinvoq) in pediatric patients with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who cannot tolerate or achieve adequate disease response with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Upadacitinib is now available as a weight-based oral solution for the youngest patients in addition to tablets. The drug's safety in pediatric patients is similar to its safety profile in adults, but its safety and effectiveness for patients younger than 2 years old are unknown. Upadacitinib is also being studied for various other conditions in phase 3 trials. [Extracted from the article]

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the biosimilar tocilizumab-aazg (Tyenne), which is manufactured by Fresenius Kabi. This is the second tocilizumab biosimilar to be approved by the FDA, and it is the first to be approved in both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous formulations. Tocilizumab-aazg is used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The drug has already been launched in 10 countries and is expected to be available in more countries in the future. The specific launch date for the United States is not yet known. [Extracted from the article]

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sarilumab (Kevzara) for the treatment of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in patients weighing ≥ 63 kg (139 lb). Sarilumab is an interleukin 6 receptor blocker and was first approved in 2017 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. The approval of sarilumab for pJIA provides a new FDA-approved treatment option for children with this painful and chronic inflammatory disease. The most common reported adverse reactions for sarilumab in pJIA are nasopharyngitis, neutropenia, upper respiratory tract infection, and injection site erythema. [Extracted from the article]

A study led by Dr. Hermine I. Brunner from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that subcutaneous tocilizumab, a medication used to treat polyarticular and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA and sJIA), provided long-term disease control in patients. The study included 44 patients with pJIA and 38 patients with sJIA, and the dosing frequency of tocilizumab varied based on weight. Disease control remained stable in both groups, with sustained improvements in disease activity scores. The study concluded that subcutaneous tocilizumab treatment was effective and had a safety profile consistent with previous studies. However, the study had limitations, such as the lack of a control group and a small number of patients continuing treatment for 5 years. The study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and some authors reported receiving honoraria and consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies. [Extracted from the article]

A study presented at the annual scientific meeting of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) suggests that early initiation of biologics within the first 2 months of symptom presentation can significantly improve the condition of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The study, called the STOP-JIA study, compared the effectiveness of different treatment plans for JIA. The findings showed that patients who started a biologic within the first month had a greater likelihood of rapid improvement compared to those who started later. Additionally, the study found that not all patients needed biologics to experience rapid improvement, and further research is being conducted to understand the factors that differentiate these patients. [Extracted from the article]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of abatacept (Orencia) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older. PsA is a rare condition, with an estimated 5% of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) having JPsA. This expanded approval provides a much-needed treatment option for children with JPsA, a condition characterized by chronic inflammation and joint damage. Abatacept was first approved in 2005 for rheumatoid arthritis and was later approved for treating active PsA in adults. The approval for pediatric patients is based on controlled studies in adults with PsA, pharmacokinetic data from adults and children with JIA, and safety data from clinical studies in patients aged 2-17 years with JIA. This approval is seen as exciting news for the arthritis community of young patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals. [Extracted from the article]

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first interchangeable, high-concentration, citrate-free adalimumab biosimilar, adalimumab-ryvk (Simlandi). This is the 10th adalimumab biosimilar approved by the FDA and the first biosimilar approval in the US market for Alvotech, an Icelandic pharmaceutical company in partnership with Teva Pharmaceuticals. Adalimumab-ryvk was previously approved in the European Union, Australia, and Canada. It is indicated for various conditions in adults and pediatric patients. Adalimumab-ryvk is the third Humira biosimilar to be granted interchangeability status, allowing pharmacists to substitute it for the reference product without involving the prescribing clinician. The launch date and pricing for Adalimumab-ryvk in the US have not been announced yet. [Extracted from the article]

Latest News The Food and Drug Administration has granted aninterchangeability designation to adalimumab-afzb(Abrilada), according to an announcement from Pfizer. FDA icon WikimediaCommons/FitzColinGerald/Creative Commons License Biosimilars introduce market competition that can helplower drug prices. [Extracted from the article]

Latest News The Food and Drug Administration has approved thebiosimilar tocilizumab-bavi (Tofidence), Biogen, thedrug's manufacturer, announced on Sept. 29. FDA icon Biogen's pricing for tocilizumab-bavi will be availablecloser to the product's launch date, which has yet to bedetermined, a company spokesman said. Tocilizumab-bavi is an intravenous formulation (20 mg/mL)indicated for treatment of moderately to severely activeRA, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA),and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on U.S. Surgeon General's report which states that one out of 13 children under age of 18 will die prematurely form smoking related diseases. Topics discussed include finding of the report that cigarette smoking kills half a million Americans a year, diseases caused by smoking such as colorectal and liver cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and erectile dysfunction and declining rates of youth cigarette smoking in the U.S. from 1997 to 2011.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article about juvenile arthritis in the May 2008 issue.

The article describes a case of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a seven-month-old girl. It outlines the symptoms experienced by the patient. It explains why this particular case cannot be classified as measles, Kawasaki disease or erythema multiforme. The patient was treated with a combination of prednisone and ibuprofen.

The article reports that federal advisers have urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow Pfizer to market its painkiller Celebrex as a treatment for children with rheumatoid arthritis.

Reports on the availability of drugs for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in the U.S.

Presents news briefs regarding health as of November 30, 1999. Implications of holding the telephone between the neck and shoulder on the human brain; Role of genetics in stuttering according to a study by the Australian Twin Project; Benefits of exercise to sufferers of juvenile arthritis; Relationship of gun ownership to the risk of suicide according to a study published in `The New England Journal of Medicine.'

Highlights internist Carlos H. Espinel's views and findings on Italian Renaissance artist Caravaggio's painting `Sleeping Cupid,' which features a naked boy who might have had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Espinel's consultation with art historians and rheumatologists around the world; Publications of Espinel's finds in the British medical journal `The Lancet.'