New Insight with Dr. Veeral Sheth

Diabetes Dialogue

Don’t Miss a Beat

Crisis Point

A new study found intensive topical treatment not only curbs the itchy sensation for patients with psoriasis or 

“After only 2 weeks of intensive topical therapy, there was a significant improvement in deep sleep and REM sleep in both patient groups, more so in [atopic dermatitis] patients than in [psoriasis] patients,” wrote investigators, led by Caroline Mann, MD, department of dermatology at University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany.

Many dermatologic conditions are linked with sleep disorders as skin irritation may make it more difficult to fall asleep or stay in deep sleep.

However, not a lot of evidence exists on how therapy for these patients may improve sleep quality.

Investigators conducted a study to study the sleep patterns in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, as well as if therapy improved sleep patterns. The treatment included basic care and anti-inflammatory topicals, such as class II – III steroids, daily for 2 weeks. The team also assessed for the disease activity rating, patient-rated outcomes for itch severity, sleep quality, and polygraphy before and after the therapy.

The team collected 25 participants from the department of dermatology at University Medical Center in Mainz, Germany. Patients (mean age: 49 years) had either psoriasis (n = 14) or atopic dermatitis (females, n = 20; males, n = 15) and were treated with only intensive topical treatment to avoid potential systemic effects. Investigators evaluated sleep quality changes before and 2 weeks after the treatment.

Disease activity was measured through the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Patient-rated outcomes were assessed using the Dermatology Quality of Life Index, the Numeric Rating Scale for pruritus intensity, and the Itchy Quality of Life. Sleep was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Sleep patterns were recorded with polysomnography, which includes sensors for electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG). In this study, the polygraphy device recorded N3 percentage, REM percentage, and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) through respiratory monitoring, sleep efficiency, and sleep latency.

Disease activity scores (EASI and PASI) were significantly reduced with topical therapy after 2 weeks (P < .001). The PASI in patients with psoriasis decreased from 10.46 (SD ± 1.30) at the beginning of treatment to 5.65 (SD ± 0.91) after the 2 weeks. The pruritus intensity scale demonstrated a significant improvement in deep sleep, resolved after therapy.

Insomnia severity significantly reduced (r > .50; P < .05) and daytime sleepiness decreased considerably in 40% of patients. Additionally, deep sleep and REM sleep significantly improved with a strong effect (r > .50). The team saw the apnea-hypopnea index reduced in 1 of 4 patients regardless of the individual BMI.

After topical therapy, deep sleep rose from baseline to 2 years for patients with both atopic dermatitis (from 5.98% to 16.83%; P = .003) and psoriasis (from 6.1% to 12.33%; P = .016)).

REM SLEEP ALSO improved for patients with atopic dermatitis (5.68% to 11.98; 

Patients with atopic dermatitis have a decreased Apnea-Hypnea Index (AHI) score after treatment (15.15 to 12.4) but it was not significant (P = .0273). The AHI also reduced for patients with psoriasis (20.16 at baseline to 18.27), and this time, the effect was moderate.

Sleep efficacy and sleep onset latency increased in score but the data was not significant for patients with atopic dermatitis (P = .13; P = .44) and psoriasis (P = .845; P = 0.969).

Investigators outlined multiple limitations, including not age or gender matching the participants, having different stages of disease activity, and the small sample size.

“The results provide insight into the relevance of itch in [psoriasis] patients and raise questions about other possible factors,” the team concluded. “Itch appears to have a significant effect on deep sleep and therapeutic intervention with topicals may explain the rapid improvement. However, reducing skin inflammation also seems to have a significant impact on sleep, as shown in this pilot study.”

Mann C, Dreher M, Rothschmidt JN, Staubach P. Burden of impaired sleep and its improvement through topical treatment in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. 

. Published online April 18, 2024. doi:10.1111/ddg.15373

Andrus, E. Sleep Disorders Associated with Dermatologic Conditions. 

https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/sleep-disorders-associated-with-dermatologic-conditions

Articles

A new study found intensive topical therapy improves deep sleep and REM sleep for patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis after 2 weeks.

News

news page, resources on the topics of disease- and specialty-specific medical news and expert insight can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on health care research, treatment, and drug development.

Clinical

clinical page is a resource for content on every specialty, disease, and topic available on our medical news site.

Rheumatology

Rheumatology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on rheumatologic disease. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for arthritis, gout, nr-AxSpA, and more.

Psoriatic Arthritis

On the HCPLive psoriatic arthritis page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into PsA can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on arthritis, and more.

Dermatology

The HCPLive dermatology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on skin disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for dermatologic conditions, and more.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into eczema can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on dermatitis research, treatment, and drug development.

Sleep

On the HCPLive sleep page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into sleep medicine can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and more.

Sleep of Psoriasis Patients Improves with Intensive Topical Treatment

Patrick Campbell is the managing editor of HCPLive. Formerly the editorial lead of Endocrinology Network, Practical Cardiology, and Rheumatology Network, Patrick has spent years spearheading coverage surrounding cardiometabolic health and rheumatic disease for MJH Life Sciences. He now helps to lead coverage in each of these respective areas for HCPLive. Before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2019, he spent time as a beat reporter with the Pocono Record in Stroudsburg, PA, and Star News Group in Manasquan, NJ. He also touts experience in multimedia, having spent time as a multimedia specialist with NJ Advance Media and multimedia coordinator at the Pocono Record. Follow him on Twitter @RealPatCampbell or reach him via email at PCampbell@mjhlifesciences.com.

Juul van den Reek, MD, PhD
Credit: International Psoriasis Council

Guselkumab and risankizumab had the highest rates of drug survival in 

 among IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, according to the results of a new study.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 69 studies with more than 48,000 participants, results indicate the IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors examined in the study, which included secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, and tildrakizumab, exhibited high drug survival rates, with the greatest rates observed with guselkumab and risankizumab.

“A review and meta-analysis on the drug survival of the newer biologics (IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors) are not yet available,” wrote investigators.

 “The advanced methodology used in this meta-analysis summarised the total course of drug survival curves. This provides more robust and precise summary drug survival estimates that enhance the reliability of findings. For patient-tailored treatment, a comprehensive overview of the newer biologics is essential in making evidence-based choices among the newer biologics available for psoriasis.”

In the 9 years since secukinumab received approval as the first IL-17 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis, dermatology has seen a flood of new therapies, including the first IL-23 inhibitor approval. In this time, agents in these classes have become cornerstones of management for patients with psoriasis. However, with such a riches of biologic therapies, dermatologists and dermatology care providers have to make individualized decisions surrounding treatment choices for patients.

With this in mind, a team of investigators led by Juul van den Reek, MD, PhD, of the Department of Dermatology at Radboud University Medical Centre, launched the current research endeavor to provide clarity into these discussions. Along with colleagues from Radboud University Medical Center, investigators performed a search of PubMed, Emboss, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from inception through December 27, 2023 for cohort studies of patients aged 18 years or older with plaque psoriasis evaluating drug survival of at least 1 of the aforementioned IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors.

Among the 69 studies included, 47 reported on secukinumab (23,960 patients), 31 on ixekizumab (12,446 patients), 13 on brodalumab (2353 patients), 24 on guselkumab (8174 patients), 7 on risankizumab (1427 patients), and 4 on tildrakizumab (304 patients).

Results of the investigators’ analysis revealed summary drug survival estimates (SSE) of registry/electronic health record studies for overall, ineffectiveness and adverse event related drug survival were high (all point estimates ≥ 0.8 at year 1) for included biologics, with highest estimates for guselkumab and risankizumab. Highlights from the direct comparison of SSEs are listed below:

Statistically significantly greater SSE for overall drug survival at years 2 and 3 compared with secukinumab and ixekizumab.

Higher rates at years 1, 2, and 3 for ineffectiveness-related drug survival compared with secukinumab.

Secukinumab vs guselkumab: −0.15 (95% CI −0.25, −0.04) at year 2, and −0.24 (95% CI −0.40, −0.08) at year 3.

Ixekizumab vs guselkumab: −0.13 (95% CI −0.27, −0.00) at year 2, and −0.16 (95% CI −0.31, −0.00) at year 3.

Secukinumab vs guselkumab for ineffectiveness-related drug survival: −0.06 (95% CI −0.11, −0.01) at year 1, −0.16 (95% CI −0.23, −0.09) at year 2, and −0.25 (95% CI −0.36, −0.15) at year 3.

Statistically significantly greater SSE for overall drug survival at years 1, 2, and 3 compared with secukinumab and ixekizumab.

Higher rates at year 2 and 3 compared with brodalumab.

Secukinumab vs risankizumab: −0.11 (95% CI −0.17 to −0.04) at year 1, −0.22 (95% CI −0.32 to −0.12) at year 2, and −0.33 (95% CI, −0.49 to −0.17) at year 3.

Ixekizumab vs risankizumab: −0.12 (95% CI −0.21 to −0.03) at year 1, −0.21 (95% CI −0.33 to −0.08) at year 2, and −0.24 (95% CI, −0.39 to −0.10) at year 3.

Brodalumab vs risankizumab : −0.17 (95% CI −0.34 to −0.00) at year 2, and −0.23 (95% CI −0.44 to−0.02) at year 3.

Investigators noted multiple limitations within their study to consider when interpreting results. These included being limited to English-language publication, lack of drug survival studies reporting on bimekizumab, only having short-term follow-up drug survival data for tildrakizumab, and the fact that several discontinuation reasons underlie the outcome of drug survival.

Thomas SE, Barenbrug L, Hannink G, Seyger MMB, de Jong EMGJ, van den Reek JMPA. Drug Survival of IL-17 and IL-23 Inhibitors for Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 

. Published online April 17, 2024. doi:10.1007/s40265-024-02028-1

Fala L. Cosentyx (Secukinumab): First IL-17A Antagonist Receives FDA Approval for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis. 

Boehncke WH, Brembilla NC, Nissen MJ. Guselkumab: the First Selective IL-23 Inhibitor for Active Psoriatic Arthritis in Adults. 

. 2021;17(1):5-13. doi:10.1080/1744666X.2020.1857733

A recent meta-analysis of more than 60 studies suggests guselkumab and risankizumab had the longest drug survival of IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors for psoriasis. 

Plaque Psoriasis

The HCPLive plaque psoriasis page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on psoriasis. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for psoriatic disease, and more.

Guselkumab, Risankizumab Boast Longest Drug Survival Among IL-17, IL-23 Inhibitors 

Abigail Brooks is an assistant editor for 

She joined MJH Life Sciences in August 2023 shortly after graduating from Monmouth University where she earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations/Journalism and later an MA in Interactive Digital Media. She enjoys traveling, running, and reading books. She can be reached at abrooks@mjhlifesciences.com.

Calliditas Therapeutics has announced positive topline results from the global open-label extension of the phase 3 NefIgArd study of budesonide (Nefecon) in adult patients with primary 

 on optimized renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) therapy.

According to the April 24, 2024, release, open-label extension findings showed a treatment response consistent with the NefIgArd study across urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) endpoints, regardless of whether participants had previously been treated with Nefecon or placebo.

“It is exciting to see these results on both proteinuria reduction and eGFR stabilization at 9 months across all patients irrespective of previous treatment regimen in the Phase 3 trial,” Renée Aguiar-Lucander, CEO of Calliditas Therapeutics, said in a press release.

 “These topline results support the study thesis that the response to retreatment with Nefecon was unaffected by previous treatment cycles. We look forward to presenting data at the upcoming ERA EDTA symposium.”

A global, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, NefIgArd was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of budesonide 16 mg once daily versus placebo in adult patients with primary IgAN in addition to optimized RASi therapy. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 16 mg/day of budesonide or matching placebo for 9 months, followed by a 15-month observational follow-up period without the study drug.

Designed to act at the gut mucosal level, the oral, targeted-release formulation of budesonide was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for proteinuria reduction in adults with primary IgAN at risk of rapid disease progression on December 17, 2021. Calliditas Therapeutics AB submitted a supplemental New Drug Application to the FDA on June 21, 2023, which was accepted and granted Priority Review based on the full data set from NefIgArd.

The NefIgArd study achieved both its primary and key secondary endpoints and was the basis for full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 20, 2023, when budesonide delayed-release capsules became the first treatment to receive approval from the FDA for reducing the loss of kidney function in adults with primary IgAN.

The open-label extension study was designed to provide 9 months of treatment with budesonide for all patients who completed the NefIgArd study and who had > 1 g/g of proteinuria over 24 hours and > 30 ml/min of eGFR. A total of 119 patients were enrolled in the open-label extension and continued on optimized RASi therapy. Participants were treated for 9 months with budesonide 16 mg per day, including 45 patients who had previously had active treatment, and completed a follow-up visit 3 months after completion of treatment.

Topline data from the open-label extension study showed the treatment response was consistent with findings from the NefIgArd study for the endpoints of UPCR and eGFR at 9 months across all patients, irrespective of whether they had previously been treated with budesonide or with placebo. Additionally, safety data after 9 months of treatment or retreatment with budesonide in patients who completed the NefIgArd study were consistent with previously reported data.

Calliditas Therapeutics. Calliditas Announces Positive NefIgArd Open Label Extension Results. April 24, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. 

https://www.calliditas.se/en/calliditas-announces-positive-nefigard-open-label-extension-results/

Brooks, A. FDA Awards Full Approval to Budesonide (Tarpeyo) in Treatment of IgA Nephropathy. HCPLive. December 20, 2023. Accessed April 24, 2024. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-awards-full-approval-to-budesonide-tarpeyo-in-treatment-of-iga-nephropathy

Positive topline results showed treatment response consistent with NefIgArd findings, regardless of whether participants had previously been treated with Nefecon or placebo.

Nephrology

The HCPLive nephrology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on kidney disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in nephrology, and more.

IgA Nephropathy

The HCPLive Berger disease page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on IgA nephropathy. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in Berger disease, and more.

Calliditas Announces Open Label Extension Results for Budesonide (Nefecon) in IgA Nephropathy

Tim Smith joined the MJH Life Sciences team as an assistant editor for HCPLive in August 2022. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political science, working in multimedia journalism as a staff writer prior to joining MJH. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching TV, listening to podcasts, and rock climbing. You can contact him at 

Chun discussed recommendations for internal medicine physicians to give older adults for slowing aging as well as evidence for statins.

Audrey Chun, MD: Practical Recommendations to Give Older Patients for Exercise, Cognitive Health

American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine Meeting

 team spoke with Audrey Chun, MD, on the takeaways from her portion of the talk at ACP titled ‘Multiple Small Feedings of the Mind: Addiction Medicine, Geriatrics, Endocrinology.’

Chun, a professor and vice chair of outpatient clinical services at the division of geriatrics and Palliative Medicine in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, spoke first on the topic of slowing the aging process through exercise and recommendations for internal medicine physicians to provide patients.

“This is a common question that our patients are asking us: ‘What can I do to stay healthy to age well to age successfully?’” she explained. “Really, there's not a simple answer to that…The number one intervention is not medication, it's not a special diet, it's exercise. And it's not always what people want to hear. But we know that regular exercise and regular physical activity absolutely affects the way that we age, and can prevent a lot of the things that happen more commonly with older age. Namely, preventing your risk of falls, preventing frailty and especially preventing cognitive decline or even dementia.”

Chun noted that regular physical activity helps cognitive decline more than socialization, though being around others in a social setting can be helpful.

“Interestingly, all forms of exercise have benefits in different areas,” Chun said. “So flexibility and balance might decrease your risk of falls. But if you're really worried about your cognition, and you're concerned about wanting to optimize your cognitive health, then it seems that regular strength exercises or resistance exercises, as well as aerobic exercises seems to be the most beneficial for your brain health.”

Chun was also asked about evidence for using statins for primary prevention, both continuing and starting new, in patients older than 80 years.

“These are for people who have no evidence of heart disease in the past, have never had a stroke, don't have diabetes, and the idea of starting cholesterol lowering medication in order to prevent those things from happening,” Chun said. “So that's what we're talking about with primary prevention, and we have a lot of evidence of benefit in younger adults, those younger than the age of 75. It's kind of a no-brainer, everyone who has high cholesterol should be on some sort of cholesterol lowering agent in order to decrease their risk of developing some of these conditions.”

Chun added, however, that over the age of 75, the data is less conclusive. She noted that either it does not exist, because researchers never included older adults in the trials, or the results were balanced by some side effects related to the medications, such as muscle pain or weakness or interactions with other medications.

For additional information on these topics, view the full interview segment posted above. Check out more of 

The quotes contained in this summary were edited for clarity. Chun has no relationships with entities whose primary business is marketing, producing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Videos

In this interview, Chun discussed recommendations for internal medicine physicians to give older adults for slowing aging as well as evidence for statins.

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into internal medicine can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on internal medicine research, treatment, and drug development.

Geriatrics

Geriatric medicine condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on frequent geriatric-related diseases and conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for sleep disorder, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and more.

Conference

 conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.

Balmes discusses the latest annual State of the Air Report, which shows that 131 million Americans are living in areas with failing air quality grades.

2024 State of the Air: Record Highs in US Particle Pollution, with Dr. John Balmes

 What caused the particle pollution spike?


 The health effects of fine particle pollution exposure


 The new EPA particle pollution standard


 Improvements to ozone pollution and the Clean Air Act


 Reflecting on 25 years, and looking ahead


Four in every 10 Americans are now living in an area with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to a new report that which additionally observed the most severe jump in deadly particle pollution exposure in the last quarter-century.

The 2024 State of the Air—an annual report from the American Lung Association (ALA) that which grades 3-year exposures to smog and air particle pollution—marks the 25th consecutive report from the organization. This latest iteration makes history in showing that approximately 131 million Americans are living in area that which received a failing grade for ≥1 measure of air pollution.

In contextualizing the findings, the ALA acknowledged 3 key factors of influence on this year’s report. The first is that the 2024 State of the Air reports on air quality from 2020 – 2022—recognized primarily as the COVID-19 pandemic era.

“While many people speculated that the changes in behaviors during the pandemic, such as working from home, would result in improved air quality, this report shows that poor air quality continued to impact millions of people during those years,” the ALA wrote in a statement. “Notably, freight and goods movement on heavy-duty trucks, by rail and at ports increased significantly in some regions, adding to increased pollution burdens.”

—many regions have been burdened by the growing threat of wildfires during this time as well.

Lastly, the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) had finalized new regulations designed to target pollution concerns through measures including limits on tailpipe emissions from newly manufactured cars, as well as a stricter standard for particle pollution exposure, in February this year.

“Now, the Lung Association is urging EPA to set long overdue stronger national limits on ozone pollution,” the ALA wrote. “Stronger limits would help people protect themselves and drive cleanup of polluting sources across the country.”

Additionally, the report showed a continued disparity in pollution exposure-related health outcomes among people of color, who are more than twice more likely to live in an area that has a failing grade on all 3 measures of pollution.

 This same population is additionally more susceptible to asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease—each chronic condition being associated with worsened outcomes due to air pollution.

The State of the Air report observed the highest rate of persons in counties with unhealthy spikes in short-term particle pollution since 2010: 65 million people.

“In the three years covered by this report, individuals in the U.S. experienced the highest number of days when particle pollution reached ‘very unhealthy’ and ‘hazardous’ levels in the 25 years of reporting the State of the Air,” an ALA statement read. “Short term particle pollution spikes are a clear example of the impacts that climate change is having on health. Changing weather patterns are driving more frequent and severe wildfires, which are delivering dangerous levels of particle pollution to more communities.”

This year’s report also set a record for people living in counties where year-round particle pollution levels are worse than the new standard for national air quality: 90.7 million people in 119 counties. That total increased nearly 5-fold from last year’s report.

Each of Bakersfield, CA; Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA; Visalia, CA; and Eugene-Springfield, OR, appeared on the lists for top 5 most polluted cities based on short-term and year-round particle pollution.

Perhaps in the lone instance of good news from the 25th State of the Air report is the continued improvement in national ozone pollution. The ALA reported 2.4 million fewer people lived in areas with unhealthy ozone pollution compared to the 2023 report. Though 3 in 10 Americans still live in an area with unhealthy ozone pollution, the organization has seen a “dramatic improvement in ozone pollution” over the last quarter century: approximately three-fourths of all Americans were living in a county with unhealthy ozone pollution rates in 2000.

Additionally, the report cited 5 US cities considered the “cleanest” on the measures of short-term and year-round particle, as well as ozone pollution: Bangor, ME; Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA; Lincoln-Beatrice, NE; Urban Honolulu, HI; Wilmington, NC.

, ALA chief medical officer Albert Rizzo, MD, discussed the headline findings of the 2024 State of the Air Report with John Balmes, MD, professor of medicine emeritus at the University of California San Francisco, and professor of environmental health sciences emeritus in the School of Public Health at the University of California Berkeley.

Along with discussing the overarching findings of this year’s report, Rizzo and Balmes reviewed the new EPA standards for particle pollution and the positive effect of longer-standing regulations set by the Clean Air Act—which can be contributed to the continued progress in ozone pollution reduction.

Balmes also shares advice on how individuals and organizations alike can become more active participants and advocates in the effort to improve environmental health. He and Rizzo then discuss the new report’s highlight of air quality inequity in the US and the factors that which influence it, before signing off reflecting on the last quarter-century of change in US air quality-related health.

Click here to read the full 2024 State of the Air Report from the ALA.

Lungcast is a monthly respiratory news podcast series hosted by Al Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer of the ALA, and produced by HCPLive.

American Lung Association. State of the Air 2024 Report. Published April 24, 2024. https://www.lung.org/getmedia/dabac59e-963b-4e9b-bf0f-73615b07bfd8/State-of-the-Air-2024.pdf

American Lung Association. 2024 ‘State of the Air’ Report Reveals Most ‘Hazardous’ Air Quality Days in 25 Years. Press release. Published April 24, 2024. https://www.lung.org/media/press-releases/sota-2024

Kunzmann K. Poor Air Quality Across the US: What You Need to Know. 

. Published June 8, 2023. https://www.hcplive.com/view/poor-air-quality-across-the-us-what-you-need-to-know

Podcasts

Pulmonology

Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.

Asthma

The HCPLive asthma page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on asthmatic disease. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for allergic and severe asthma, and more.

COPD

COPD condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on COPD research, treatment, and drug development.

Cardiology

Cardiology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for heart disease and cardiovascular events, as well as associated diabetes, renal failure, and more...

Lungcast

Join the American Lung Association and HCPLive every month as Dr. Al Rizzo interviews world-leading experts on the great challenges, accomplishments, and stories in respiratory medicine.

2024 State of the Air: Record Highs in US Particle Pollution, with John Balmes, MD

In an interview with HCPLive, Larry Ereshefsky, PharmD, discussed the phase 3 RECOVER trial assessing brilaroxazine at 50 mg and 15 mg for acute schziophrenia.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on mental illnesses. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and more.

Schizophrenia

The HCPLive schizophrenia page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on the mental disorder. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for schizophrenia, and more.

  Phase 3 Data on Brilaroxazine for Schizophrenia with Larry Ereshefsky, PharmD

Study Details Epitope Binding, Efficacy of IL-23 Inhibitors in Plaque Psoriasis

Solomon explains how the health care system contributes to climate change and the direct health impacts seen as a result, based on her session at ACP.

Caren Solomon, MD, MPH: Health Impacts of Climate Change, Health Care’s Contribution

Lana Pine is the editor of HCPLive Rheumatology. She is an experienced editor and technical writer with a demonstrated history of working in the banking and publishing industries. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, yoga, listening to podcasts, and drawing. She can be reached via email at LPine@mjhlifesciences.com.

Treatment with risankizumab was shown to be an effective strategy among patients with PsA regardless of varying demographic and psoriatic disease characteristics through 1 year. 

Long-term Risankizumab Treatment Outperforms Placebo in PsA 

Connor Iapoce is an associate editor for 

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in April 2021. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Journalism and Professional Writing. He enjoys listening to records, going to concerts, and playing with his cat Squish. You can reach him at 

Thoracic ultrasound examination may be applicable as a screening method for interstitial lung disease in patients with RA and respiratory symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The HCPLive rheumatoid arthritis page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on arthritis. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for RA, and more.

Thoracic Ultrasound Refines Detection of ILD in Rheumatoid Arthritis

After being prescribed another urate lowering therapy for ≥ 30 days, only 51.0% of patients were able to achieve SU < 6 mg/dL. 

Gout

On the HCPLive gout page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into gouty arthritis can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on gout, and more.

Only Half of Patients Starting ULT After Pegloticase Discontinuation Achieved Target SU

This segment of Hemming’s ACP interview featured a discussion of a website used to assess digital applications for patients struggling with mental health issues.


Patrick Hemming, MD: Which Mental Health App is Best for Internal Medicine Patients?

The first in our 3-part quiz series based on the NLA's 2024 update to their 2019 scientific statement on use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice focuses on basic considerations surrounding Lp(a) measurement.

Dyslipidemia

Clinical Quiz: Lp(a) Testing Basics from 2024 NLA Update on Use of Lipoprotein(a)

A new study found female patients (8.15%) had a lower mortality rate when treated by female physicians than male physicians (8.38%).

Patients Have Lower Mortality When Treated by Female Physicians

Abeona's pz-cel is up for indicated use to treat patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

FDA News

Rare Disease Report®

The Rare Disease Report page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on rare diseases. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for sickle cell disease, multiple myeloma, and more.

Latest News

Sleep of Psoriasis Patients Improves with Intensive Topical Treatment

Guselkumab, Risankizumab Boast Longest Drug Survival Among IL-17, IL-23 Inhibitors

Calliditas Announces Open Label Extension Results for Budesonide (Nefecon) in IgA Nephropathy

Audrey Chun, MD: Practical Recommendations to Give Older Patients for Exercise, Cognitive Health

2024 State of the Air: Record Highs in US Particle Pollution, with John Balmes, MD