David Liew
@drdavidliew.bsky.social
150 followers 91 following 10 posts
Rheumatologist and clinical pharmacologist, world traveller pretences back on track, and even sometimes journal podcast host. All opinions my own. https://linktr.ee/drdavidliew
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drdavidliew.bsky.social
Latest atlas article out
@rheumjnl.bsky.social Rheumatology Advances in Practice:

Imaging of gout
(an area with lots of nuance)
very pretty images but also lots of great practical hints from Luqman Wali & Emma Rowbotham

Well worth checking out & it's open access: academic.oup.com/rheumap/arti...
drdavidliew.bsky.social
The gist:
PMR underserved by Rx, somehow steroid monotherapy accepted as okay

Why? We feel four main reasons:
- myth of self-resolution
- seemingly nebulous presentation
- inadequate pathophys insights
- societal inattention (esp ageism)

snips below but check out full article⬆️
drdavidliew.bsky.social
Why does it seem like PMR patients get stuck in situations we would never tolerate for other patients?

@drceowen.bsky.social and I call out many reasons.
PMR is killing them softly, and will continue to do so if collectively we neglect it.

now out @thelancetrheum.bsky.social:
t.co/wMOy9ZEzw4
Reposted by David Liew
thelancetrheum.bsky.social
NEW RESEARCH—Sarilumab in relapsing polymyalgia rheumatica: patient-reported outcomes from the phase 3 SAPHYR trial bit.ly/4k0mlJQ

Plus linked Comment by @drdavidliew.bsky.social &
@drceowen.bsky.social bit.ly/4eiha6W #Medsky #Rheumsky
drdavidliew.bsky.social
Sometimes you hear:
“PMR dose steroids don’t really matter”

Errrrr…
(You wouldn’t accept this steroid exposure in any other disease. Never)

#EULAR2025 POS0139 @rheumnow.bsky.social
drdavidliew.bsky.social
Fast track PMR clinics in Denmark led to more patients seen, and time to referral went down.

If we don’t get in early with a right diagnosis (and maybe early steroid-sparing) then PMR patients deteriorate.
We shouldn’t let PMR be an end stage disease #EULAR2025 POS0136 @rheumnow.bsky.social
drdavidliew.bsky.social
Oh and in case you’re forward planning to #EULAR2026 - it’s London, 3-6 June. Right now it might be just the start of #EULAR2025, but start your trip planning now! @RheumNow
drdavidliew.bsky.social
IL-17 inhibition for PMR?

In the secukinumab ph2 in GCA (TitAIN), patients with PMR did really well, seemingly outperforming steroid taper in the placebo arm. Real promise, will be great to see how the ph3 in PMR (REPLENISH) goes

OP0062 #EULAR2025 @rheumnow.bsky.social
drdavidliew.bsky.social
What’s worse for infection in GCA: tail end steroid taper, or a JAK inhibitor?

This is exactly SELECT-GCA in the second 6mo. What happened?
upa skews better on serious infection, worse on HZ

JAKi might have infection risk, but not like steroids. OP0057 #EULAR2025 @rheumnow.bsky.social
drdavidliew.bsky.social
Here in Barcelona, and back at it for the @RheumNow team! Bring on #EULAR2025 and all the great rheumatology here

Of course with the dynamic team of @synovialjoints @Yuz6Yusof @DrMiniDey @AurelieRheumo @AdelaCastro222 @JihaRheum @Nellziade and the one and only @Janetbirdope
drdavidliew.bsky.social
GCA finally gets a second option, eight years after the first!

Choice means more people can get benefit, but also that we can start to look at strategy - something we badly need for both GCA and PMR.
nejm.org
NEJM.org @nejm.org · Apr 3
In the SELECT-GCA phase 3 trial involving patients with giant-cell arteritis, the oral Janus kinase inhibitor upadacitinib (15 mg) significantly improved remission of disease, with less glucocorticoid use. Full trial results: nej.md/3XBdkia

#MedSky
A graph showing the time to first flare of giant-cell arteritis through week 52.
Reposted by David Liew
jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · Dec 2
Text message reminders targeting patients who delay refilling their cardiovascular medications did not improve medication adherence based on pharmacy refill data or reduce clinical events at 12 months.

ja.ma/4irtinM
Reposted by David Liew
rheumnow.bsky.social
Ozempic will change rheumatology

Ozempic's presence is widespread, even reaching Australia, despite limited supply and advertising restrictions. Its American ad jingle is known here, highlighting its significant cultural impact and ubiquitous brand recognition.
Ozempic will change rheumatology | RheumNow
Many of our diseases are made worse by obesity, notably rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Much of the refractory pain and suffering from these conditions might be…
buff.ly
Reposted by David Liew