The Brigham’s Rheumatology Division Presents at ACR 2022

Headshot of Ellen M. Gravallese, MD

Members of the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital presented over 120 lectures and poster presentations at the 2022 American College of Rheumatology’s annual convergence conference. Learn more about a few of their cutting-edge presentations.

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Proteomics Data Suggest Diagnostic, Therapeutic Targets for RA Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease

Doctor examing ct scan images of lungs at desk, lung disease concept

Brigham researchers recently completed the first proteomic analysis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). They identify molecular signatures strongly associated with the presence and severity of RA-ILD and provide insight into unexplored disease pathways.

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Neighborhood Vulnerability to Heat Affects Risk of Recurrent Hospitalization in Individuals With Rheumatic Conditions

Young man standing under hot bright sun and clear sky, wiping sweat from forehead

In the first study of its kind, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers showed that individuals with rheumatic conditions residing in neighborhoods with high social or heat vulnerability have greater odds of recurrent hospitalization than those with lower vulnerability.

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Predictors of Healthcare Spending Identified in Patients With Gout Using Urate-lowering Therapy

Female patient in office signing paperwork across from doctor

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital identified three distinct groups of gout patients according to their patterns of total spending on health care. The team provides information on identifying patients with gout who could benefit from interventions to reduce long-term spending.

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Understanding Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease: Q&A With Sara Tedeschi, MD, MPH

Eldery woman in wheelchair feeling arthritis discomfort in right knee

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease affects 8-10 million adults in the U.S., yet knowledge of CPPD lags far behind that of gout and other types of inflammatory arthritis. The Brigham’s Sara Tedeschi, MD, MPH, and the research team are working to understand the disease better and improve patient care.

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Holding DMARDs Not Associated With Greater RA Activity After Additional Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

Doctor with blue gloves gives vaccine shot to shoulder of a woman

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patient-reported disease activity stayed stable around the time of an additional COVID-19 vaccination dose when disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were held.

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Vitamin D With or Without Omega 3 Fatty Acids Reduces Risk of Autoimmune Disease

Brown bottle of vitamin D and fish oil capsules spilling onto wooden surface

In the first randomized, controlled trial to investigate if supplementation with vitamin D and/or Omega 3 fatty acids reduces the risk of autoimmune disease, Brigham researchers report that Omega 3 fatty acids alone did not reduce risk, but vitamin D or a combination of vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids was protective.

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Respiratory Tract Diseases May Increase Risk of RA Years Before Onset

Close up of hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis

There is growing evidence that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) originates in mucosal surfaces and several respiratory tract diseases are associated with RA. Now, researchers have demonstrated that the timing of respiratory tract disease significantly affects the strength of each disease’s association with RA.

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New Treatment Strategy Proposed for Rheumatic Heart Valve Disease

Close up of valve replacement surgery where artificial valve is being implanted

Elena Aikawa, MD, PhD, Livia S.A. Passos, PhD, of the Heart and Vascular Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues have identified a protein that contributes to chronic rheumatic heart valve disease (RHVD) immunopathogenesis and has a role in the female predisposition to RHVD.

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High Prevalence of Parenchymal Lung Diseases in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

CT scan of patient with emphysema in the lungs

Tracy J. Doyle, MD, Jeffrey A. Sparks, MD, MMSc, and colleagues identified a high prevalence of undiagnosed preclinical parenchymal lung disease in a rheumatoid arthritis cohort, with important clinical implications.

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