Volume 16 Issue 9, September 2020

Researchers have developed an in silico (computer) platform that couples tissue adaptation with cellular and molecular interactions to simulate bone adaptation to mechanical loading and progress and treatment of metabolic bone diseases. What is the benefit of such in silico tools, and how can credibility of the simulation outcomes be established?

The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the sudden adoption of telemedicine in the management of rheumatic diseases. In this abrupt transition from in-person visits to telemedicine, can patient-reported outcomes (PROs) help ensure that we continue to achieve optimum disease control and address the concerns of people living with rheumatoid arthritis?

The ACR has published an update to its guideline on gout management, which was mostly based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Although rigorous, the methodology used for these recommendations can be called into questioned given the lack of robust data from RCTs on all aspects of gout.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are heterogeneous, interrelated diseases. This Review outlines current evidence on the monitoring and long-term management of patients with GCA and PMR, including the tapering of treatment and the handling of complications.

Various types of programmed cell death, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis and apoptosis, contribute to acute and chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of these pathways is implicated in rheumatic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms and overlap between cell death pathways might lead to new therapies.

The DNA methylation profile of various cells types are altered in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Particular DNA methylation profiles are associated with the prognosis, subtype, progression and/or treatment responses of various rheumatic diseases and hence have potential as clinical biomarkers.

Digital health technologies (DHTs) have a variety of interesting current and possible future applications in rheumatology. In this article, the authors describe some of the key barriers that prevent DHT integration into rheumatology care and discuss ways in which these barriers could be addressed.