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Metanalysis suggests MTX may be effective in knee OA. 6RCTs, 602 pts of MTX vs PBO, showed MTX significantly relieved pain (mean diff −0.44; P 0.0003) knee/hand OA; Functional improved for knee only, but no differences in quality-of-life outcome or adverse events https://t.co/lmBEnTLFHY
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
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No Extra Cancer Recurrence Risk with Biologics in RA

MedPage Today

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Denmark with a history of solid tumor cancers, now in remission, faced no greater likelihood of cancer relapse when they were treated with biologic agents, compared with conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

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Incr. neutrophils in RA synovium correlates w/ higher Dz activity and poorer Rx responses. Study of 55 #RA pts, 1/3 (17) enriched for synovial PMNs - these correlated w/ DAS28--CRP, synovial inflammation, and CD3+/CD68+ cell counts https://t.co/zz59w8MMUU https://t.co/R7Ruyab0wj

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
Prevalence of ANCA Assoc Vasculitis (especially GPA) in Alaskan Natives (AN/AI) is high. GCA prevalence is lower than White populations, but higher than many others. AN/AI peoples w/ AAV & GCA may present at younger ages with more severe disease https://t.co/dhiu6sPGBk https://t.co/rNCo25HGcn

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Pairwise Network Metanalysis suggests that JAKi use may NOT be assoc w/ Gastrointestinal perforation (GIP), as suggested by the PI. 23 RCTs, (20,023 pts) followed for 24 wks. Incidence of JAKi GIP=0.19%. compared to csDMARDs this was not signif increased (RR 1.02; CI: 0.41-2.56). https://t.co/lLD9Tj6a9F
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Better Responses with Chronotherapy for Baricitinib A nonrandomized, open-label, controlled trial has shown superior efficacy when baricitinib was given at night (instead of day); attesting to the benefits of chronotherapy - selective dosing meant to target the body's diurnal https://t.co/pEJIsJq0wE
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Post-treatment Lyme Syndrome Symptoms that persist long after Lyme disease is treated are not uncommon — a 2022 study found that 14% of patients who were diagnosed and treated early with antibiotic therapy would still develop Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD). https://t.co/Qd6tqOkDBl
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Delays in RA diagnosis can lead to irreversible joint damage. 14-3-3eta complements traditional biomarkers to improve early detection and monitoring. Dr. @WalterMaks outlines its clinical value. Sponosred by Augurex. Learn more: https://t.co/LxW9Yy9AdU https://t.co/U7HzSBFecA

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84 RA pts on CZP+MTX w/sustained LDA (CDAI ≤10) ≥ 12 wks. 1/2 OL withdrawal of MTX & @ wk 36, LDA was maintained in 85% on CZP+MTX vs 84% on CZP alone (w latter group having signif less GI Sxs (2.4% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.034) https://t.co/jGlNlmkae4 https://t.co/6e0ySRrRD4

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IL-17 inhibitors increase risk of IBD. TriNetX database study of PsO & AS pts starting IL-17i vs apremilast. 13,216 matched pts per group, 142 developed IBD w/ IL-17i vs. 60 with apremilast (aHR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.85–3.39). https://t.co/sSPqKsfbZ4 https://t.co/YCqDUzX9xq

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Castleman disease (CD) is a rare, non-clonal lymphoproliferative disorder w/ systemic sxs & maybe linked w/ herpesvirus 8, POEMS or TAFRO syndrome. Mimickers include lymphoma, sarcoma, IgG4-RD, Infections (EBV, HHV8, HIV, CMV, TB), Autoimmune Dz (RA, SLE, Stills) https://t.co/29M0jePXHd
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
Hip replacement outcomes are not linked to OA severity, instead pts muscle quality before THA best predicts recovery after surgery. Imaging of 10 pts undergoing THA showed poor muscle quality predicted post-op performance/movement after surgery https://t.co/io0UXQl6n2 https://t.co/cFM7Fg10Zm

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Piperacillin effectively treats Lyme disease at 100-times lower dose than doxycycline https://t.co/vbu78RbRys https://t.co/AqSkm7XtbB https://t.co/olTi8OWsQ6

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Retrospective study of 334 children with non-organic amplified MSK pain syndr(AMPS) plus back pain. Pts w/ localized AMPS were more likely to have a (+) straight leg raising test (P 0.01) & diffuse AMPS more likely to have allodynia & incongruent affect (reporting pain, but still https://t.co/unbub6VK0t
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
A review of 18 guideline recommendations on DMARDs in pregnancy & reproductive health. There were recs. DMARDs & pre-conception (56%), lactation (67%), male fertility (33%), & use of csDMARDs (72%), bDMARDs(72%), tsDMARDs (28%); less recs for b/tsDMARD use https://t.co/tKGCXrbOuc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
Systematic review shows PTSD is strongly assoc w/ an increased risk of developing SLE. 7 studies (5 prospect cohort) and 11614 SLE pts - 1,325 (11.4%) had comorbid PTSD, mostly females. All showed + association of PTSD & SLE, 3 showing 2fold incr risk of SLE. No genetic https://t.co/Xjya0QNznQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
Full read review of falls and fragility fractures in the elderly. https://t.co/WuQ6oIKTH0 https://t.co/fXnZFxaO28

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
Senescent "Zombie" Cells and Low Back Pain In a preclinical study led by McGill University researchers, two drugs targeting “zombie cells” have been shown to treat the underlying cause of chronic low back pain. The condition affects millions of people worldwide. https://t.co/O0qLlSyrKY
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
2025 BSR Guideline for Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis The British Society of Rheumatology has published its 2025 Guidelines for the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA); addressing axial and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations including acute anterior uveitis, https://t.co/V8QxGhaKqD
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)
Metanalysis suggests MTX may be effective in knee OA. 6RCTs, 602 pts of MTX vs PBO, showed MTX significantly relieved pain (mean diff −0.44; P 0.0003) knee/hand OA; Functional improved for knee only, but no differences in quality-of-life outcome or adverse events https://t.co/XOB8acT9xj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow (  View Tweet)

From the blog

The War Rheum

Kathryn H. Dao, M.D.
blue and yellow arms and hands
The effects on rheumatologists and their patients living in Ukraine largely have been unseen by the world. At ACR Convergence 2024, I met Dr. Marta Dzhus who practices at St. Michael's Clinical Hospital in Kyiv; she shared her story with me about the humanitarian crisis in rheumatologic care in Ukraine because of the ongoing war. Here is an excerpt of our conversation.
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Podcasts

  • Osteoarthritis Risky Business (4.18.2025)
  • EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
  • An Epidural Letdown (4.4.2025)
  • Biomarkers in RA
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Therapeutic Updates

Biomarkers in RA

Sponsored by Augurex
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Rheumatologist Dr. Walter Maksymowych discusses the role of biomarkers in RA care, with a focus on 14-3-3eta as a modifiable marker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
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