Dr. Jack Cush reviews the FDA approvals and news reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. This week we discuss playing the numbers in rheumatology, playing the long game with stem cell transplants, and a=the Positive spin on seronegative RA. 

For someone who has spent so much of his career recognizing the work of others, it is fitting that Dr. John J. “Jack” Cush should have his own moment in the spotlight.

As the leaves start changing color and spooky decorations populate neighborhood doorsteps, another autumnal tradition begins: vaccination counseling. Fall offers a golden opportunity to protect our patients before respiratory viruses fill our waiting rooms. In patients with rheumatologic diseases, vaccinations can be confusing and worrisome. For clinicians with limited bandwidth, these conversations can feel like added responsibilities in an already overfull schedule.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week's news from RheumNow.com, including: placebo trumps controversial therapies, the dynamics of disease activity, fuse the big toe, and patients don’t appreciate being told “it's all in your head”!