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BackgroundTo gain insight into how teriparatide affects various bone health parameters, we assessed the effects of teriparatide treatment with use of standard DXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) technology and two newer technologies, high-resolution MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and finite element analysis of quantitative CT (computed tomography) scans.MethodsIn this phase-4, open-label study, postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis received 20 μg/day of teriparatide. Assessments included (1) changes in areal BMD (bone mineral density) (in g/cm2) at the radius, spine, and hip on DXA, (2) changes in volumetric BMD (in mg/cm3) at the spine and hip on quantitative CT scans, (3) changes in bone microarchitecture at the radius on high-resolution MRI, (4) estimated changes in spine and hip strength according to finite element analysis of quantitative CT scans, (5) changes in bone turnover markers in serum, and (6) safety.ResultsThirty-five subjects were enrolled; thirty completed eighteen months and twenty-five completed an optional six-month extension. No significant changes were observed for the primary outcome, high-resolution MRI at the distal aspect of the radius. At month eighteen, the least-squares mean percentage change from baseline in total volumetric BMD at the spine was 10.05% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.83% to 13.26%; p < 0.001), and estimated spine strength increased 17.43% (95% CI, 12.09% to 22.76%; p < 0.001). Total volumetric BMD at the hip increased 2.22% (95% CI, 0.37% to 4.06%; p = 0.021), and estimated hip strength increased 2.54% (95% CI, 0.06% to 5.01%; p = 0.045). Areal BMD increased at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, was unchanged for the total hip and at the distalmost aspect of the radius, and decreased at a point one-third of the distance between the wrist and elbow. Bone turnover markers increased at months three, six, and twenty-four (all p < 0.05). No unexpected adverse events were observed.ConclusionsHigh-resolution MRI failed to identify changes in bone microarchitecture at the distal aspect of the radius, a non-weight-bearing site that may not be suitable for assessing effects of an osteoanabolic agent. Teriparatide increased areal BMD at the spine and femoral neck and volumetric BMD at the spine and hip. Estimated vertebral and femoral strength also increased. These findings and increases in bone turnover markers through month twenty-four are consistent with the known osteoanabolic effect of teriparatide.Level of evidenceTherapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the real‐world characteristics and clinical status of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) currently prescribed ixekizumab. Methods: Data were drawn from the Adelphi PsA Plus Disease Specific Programme (DSP), a cross‐sectional survey conducted in the United States between September 2021 and March 2022. Rheumatologists provided data for their next five consulting patients currently receiving ixekizumab, including demographic and clinical characteristics, disease severity, treatment history, reasons for treatment choice, satisfaction with current treatment, and current and historic symptom burden. Patients voluntarily completed questionnaires, providing perceptional data on symptom burden and satisfaction with current treatment. Results: Overall, 68 rheumatologists provided data on 275 patients with PsA, 90 of whom completed the voluntary questionnaire. Patients had been prescribed ixekizumab for a mean of 11.7 (SD 10.6) months. Clinical characteristics, disease severity, and symptom burden of patients with PsA improved significantly from ixekizumab initiation to the most recent consultation, including symptom burden, tender and swollen joint counts, and body surface area affected by psoriasis (all P < 0.001). Both rheumatologists and patients were satisfied with ixekizumab treatment and reported improvements in pain and fatigue. Improvements were noted after more than three months of ixekizumab treatment duration and regardless of whether the patients had prior exposure to an advanced therapy or were treatment naïve. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ixekizumab was efficacious in the treatment of PsA in real‐world clinical practice, complementing efficacy data from randomized controlled clinical trials. The results of this study may assist rheumatologists and their patients in making informed treatment choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]