Risk of COVID-19 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A National Veterans Affairs Matched Cohort Study in At-Risk Individuals.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its treatments are associated with an increased risk of infection, but it remains unclear whether these factors have an impact on the risk or severity of COVID-19. The present study was undertaken to assess the risk and severity of COVID-19 in a US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cohort of patients with RA and those without RA.

Methods: A matched cohort study using national VA data was conducted.

Expert Perspective: An Evidence-Based Approach to Refractory Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can present with a variety of skin manifestations and have a dramatic effect on a patient's quality of life. Effective treatment options for this disease are limited, and the efficacy of these treatments is often supported by low levels of evidence. This makes the treatment of refractory disease especially challenging, as it is difficult to achieve a consensus on the appropriate progression of treatment beyond first- and second-line treatment options.

Coexistent Hyperuricemia and Gout in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Associations With Comorbidities, Disease Activity, and Mortality.

Objective: Although hyperuricemia and gout can complicate the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the impact of these factors on outcomes in RA is unclear. We undertook this study to examine associations of coexistent hyperuricemia and gout with RA disease measures, RA treatments, and survival.

Methods: Participants from a longitudinal RA study were categorized by the presence of gout and serum urate (UA) status.