Dr Chris Holroyd on the updated BSR biologic DMARD safety guidelines in inflammatory arthritis

Dr James Galloway talks to Dr Chris Holroyd, consultant rheumatologist at University Hospital Southampton, UK, about the new and updated BSR biologic DMARD safety guidelines in inflammatory arthritis. This guideline provides updates on screening before commencing a biologic, particularly the requirement for every patient to be screened for tuberculosis, using a tuberculin skin test (TST) or IFN-γ release assay (IGRA). In addition, there are changes for vaccination requirements before starting a biologic, and what to do before surgery.