What's new in rheumatology from UpToDate

35% of UpToDate topics are updated every four months. The editors select a small number of the most important updates and share them via "What's new" page. I selected the brief excerpts below from What's new in rheumatology:

Lower dose colchicine for treatment of acute gout

A lower dose colchicine may have similar efficacy and fewer side effects than a traditional, higher dose regimen for patients with acute gouty arthritis. Colchicine given as 1.2 mg followed by one additional dose of 0.6 mg an hour later (total dose 1.8 mg) worked similarly to 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every hour for up to six hours.

Nocturnal leg cramps

Quinine is no longer recommended due to the potential for serious side effects, drug interactions, and only modest benefit. Calcium channel blockers and vitamin B complex have limited effect.

Anti-CCP antibody testing in RA

Testing for anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPA) has become common in the evaluation of patients for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Second generation anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies had the highest utility, with higher specificity and similar sensitivity to rheumatoid factor (RF). Both RF and anti-CCP testing should be performed in patients suspected of having RA. Should I order an anti-CCP antibody test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?  http://goo.gl/L3abc - Yes. Cost of RF is $43, anti-CCP $102

Golimumab for RA

Golimumab, a neutralizing human anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody, is administered subcutaneously once monthly for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Rituximab for primary Sjogren's syndrome

Rituximab, which is used for the treatment of B cell lymphomas, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders, is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the B cell antigen CD20. One course of rituximab treatment resulted in significant improvement in patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS).

References:
What's new in rheumatology. UpToDate.