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NSAIDs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
MedPage Today
At least some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can safely use common drugs for musculoskeletal aches and pains, a large study of insurance claims data suggested, contradicting a widespread concern that these products can trigger IBD flares.
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Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Opioids Down, Gabapentins Up
The number of U.S. patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy declined from 2015 to 2023, but co-prescribing of opioids with gabapentinoids increased, prescription data showed.
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COMMON - Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on MRI
In this cross-sectional study of 602 Finnish adults undergoing bilateral shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessment, found abnormalities in nearly everyone over age 40yrs, regardless if asymptomatic or symptomatic.
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Knee pain: JAMA review
- 5% PCP visits knee pain
- Knee OA ~654 million worldwide
- Patellofemoral pain: <40 yrs & physically active; pain on squat
- Meniscal tears in 12% adults (McMurray 61% sensitive; 84% specific; Joint line tender 83% sensitive; 83% specific) https://t.co/M7om9DN7Zu
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Weight-loss drugs may affect joints directly
A new study from Aarhus University shows that the hormone GLP-1, which is mimicked in medication for diabetes and weight loss, is present in joint fluid. In the long term, this may open up new treatments for arthritis. https://t.co/HkcPUQp05H
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Do patients with chronic pain have double the rates of smoking compared to those without pain? Take this week's RheumIQ quiz to find out.
https://t.co/rmB55KC7Zh https://t.co/ms3G9uBMd5
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Gabapentinoid use 2008-2018: worldwide there was an annual incr of +17.2% (from 4.2/d to 18.3/d per 10K pop. Highest gaba use in high income countries, 6X higher than lower income (40/d vs 6.1/d) https://t.co/jXjxNj1Uyz https://t.co/GmQJ3UGGw9
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Opioids Down, Gabapentins Up
The number of U.S. patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy declined from 2015 to 2023, but co-prescribing of opioids with gabapentinoids increased, prescription data showed.
https://t.co/iXEUfR18Is https://t.co/6DCUvGAW6N
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NHIS 10yr survey of 195,600 Americans shows Chronic pain assoc w/ double rates of smoking & vaping. Smoking decr over time, but always higher in chronic pain pts (17.7% 2014, 13.1% in 2023) than w/o pain (12.5% 2014, 7.5% 2023). E-cigs incr over time, more w/ chronic pain https://t.co/iW7IDwHyJa
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Couldn’t attend https://t.co/4UQlqwujiR 2026?
You can now watch the entire meeting On Demand.
This high-impact program features leading experts discussing:
• RA outcomes and pathogenesis
• Obesity, inflammation, and rheumatic disease
• Treatment decisions in Psoriatic https://t.co/A3wb3pzbl3
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Itch is common in Scleroderma (SSc) and not related to Dz duration. Study of 2173 Pts (~20K itch assessments), 87 F; mean age 55 yrs; 40% w/ diffuse SSc. Itch (moderate 4/10) seen in ~35% at all times https://t.co/QnT8d0xA5Z https://t.co/yEgB6ImDTi
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From 2015 to 2023, long-term opioid therapy declined in the USA. Approximately 4 million to 5 million patients were prescribed long-term opioid therapy in 2023. Long term opioid use remains a challenge https://t.co/N5s7mYvXSw https://t.co/YHdTbHLB4q
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Phase 1b trial shows transdermal Curcumin Gel (VAS-101) in was effective in Knee Osteoarthritis. Enrolled 60 KOA pts 45–75 yrs Rx w/ PBO or gel qd x 28d w/ signif improvement in pain & KOOS scores https://t.co/yNiNocZxa4 https://t.co/3W7j1bIvBc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
There is very little evidence that kinesio taping has any true benefits in patients with musculoskeletal disorders https://t.co/3HIJOljacA https://t.co/Xz1YvQtHGs
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
What's it like to have RA? MARY: "I can manage the pain, the exhaustion, and side effects of the meds. The hard part is grief. I grieve for me, the adventurer that decided what she wanted and boldly went after it, no matter what. I trusted myself to handle whatever came. Now https://t.co/GakWIy2XCt
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
TENS Efficacy in Fibromyalgia
A randomized clinical trial of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in fibromyalgia showed meaningful improvement in pain for 6 months when combined with physical therapy (PT).
https://t.co/Gm81FWoTQN https://t.co/2gq2cDFUh7
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
What's it like to have RA? LISA: "It only took me three short years to go from rock climbing to a power wheel chair and that stage of the disease was frightening and painful and you feel hopeless and as if your life plan is being stolen from you. Once I was able to start https://t.co/d49htc8k4m
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
What's it like to have #RA? PATTY "To find patients or doctors who can talk intelligently about RA is a welcomed relief. However, I prefer that those around me not know about me and my RA. I hope they don’t notice the changes in my hands or shoes or that I cannot wear my usual https://t.co/OQbXJrcyPp
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Moral Distress (3.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the journal reports and news from RheumNow. This week we discuss moral distress, FM in PsA, Lyme Vax is back & hidden but tangible benefits of the MDHAQ.
https://t.co/LdNcsUcHc2 https://t.co/tRYeDhQ3hC
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
