Ischaemic cardiovascular risk with allopurinol and protective effect of colchicine in gout: a Dutch nationwide pharmaco-epidemiological study.

Aims: Gout is associated with increased ischaemic cardiovascular disease (CVD). The effects of allopurinol and colchicine on CVD risk remain debated. This study aims to investigate the interplay between these factors.

Continuation versus temporary interruption of immunomodulatory agents during infections in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Immunomodulatory agents (IA) are commonly used to treat inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs). Guidelines typically recommend temporarily interrupting IA during infections, but evidence supporting this approach is limited and continuation may be equally safe or even preferable. The objective of this study was to compare these two treatment strategies.

Therapy with JAK inhibitors or bDMARDs and the risk of cardiovascular events in the Dutch rheumatoid arthritis population.

Objective: Caution has been advocated recently when using Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with an unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile. We aimed to compare the incidences in cardiovascular events between JAKi and biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) in a large population of RA patients.

Methods: RA patients starting a new bDMARD or JAKi between 1 August 2018 and 31 January 2022 have been selected from IQVIA's Dutch Real-World Data Longitudinal Prescription database, covering about 63% of outpatient prescriptions in the Netherlands.

Infection incidence, timing and dose dependency in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with rituximab: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Rituximab (RTX) is a safe and effective treatment for RA. However, there are some concerns about infection risk and preliminary data suggest dose and time dependency. This study aims to determine the infection incidence in a large real-life population of RA patients using RTX, with special focus on (ultra-)low dosing and time since last infusion.

Exploring the perspective of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and care providers on the use of immunomodulatory drugs in infections: an interview study.

Objectives: Immunomodulatory agents are safe and effective as treatment for various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), but are associated with a slightly increased infection risk. It is uncertain whether, in the event of an infection, continuation or temporary interruption of immunomodulatory agents leads to better outcomes. Owing to this uncertainty, it is of importance to explore the perspectives of health-care providers (HCPs) and patients on this topic.

Rituximab dose-dependent infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis is not mediated through circulating immunoglobulins, neutrophils or B cells.

Objectives: Rituximab (RTX) is a safe and effective treatment for RA. A dose-dependent infection risk was found in the REDO trial. Some studies associate RTX use with higher infection risks, possibly explained by low immunoglobulin levels and/or neutropenia.

Identification of Risk Factors for COVID-19 Hospitalization in Patients With Anti-Rheumatic Drugs: Results From a Multicenter Nested Case Control Study.

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) do not have an increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with the general population. However, it remains uncertain whether subgroups of patients with IRD using different immunosuppressive antirheumatic drugs carry a higher risk for severe COVID-19 compared with other patients with IRD. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for severe COVID-19, requiring hospitalization in patients with IRD.