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Almost everyone will deal with back pain at some point in their lives.
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Systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality – possibly through autonomic imbalance, myocardial inflammation, or fibrotic infiltration of the conduction system. A team in Colombia have been looking into the risk of
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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from RheumNow.com. Updates on tofacitinib, CAR-T therapy and AI.
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Is self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) when augmented with asynchronous, personalized feedback for chronic pain (CBT-CP) superior to clinician-delivered CBT-CP?
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A comprehensive JAMA review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and treatment of nonspecific low back pain, drawing on 108 publications identified from a PubMed search (2005–2026) and the most recent guidelines from the WHO, ACP, and NICE. While the primary audience is generalists, the review carries important implications for rheumatologists who regularly encounter patients with back pain in the context of inflammatory arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and other systemic diseases.
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Researchers at Semmelweis University analyzed how depression, smoking, obesity, sleep disorders, and other health problems are linked to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T-RA) and how this can inform treat-to-target (T2T) and individualized therapy.
Dr. John Cush
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Self-Directed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain
Is self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) when augmented with asynchronous, personalized feedback for chronic pain (CBT-CP) superior to clinician-delivered CBT-CP?
https://t.co/P2DDvCiLNL https://t.co/hyAArEG6V1
Dr. John Cush
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U Maryland study found that 5-minutes of proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) — in-person prayer offered by a trained volunteer — significantly reduced pain and anxiety in primary care patients compared to a music control group. 180 pain pts (pain >4/10) w/ > 2 pt reductions at 2 & https://t.co/k4JiQvyC31
Dr. John Cush
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US telehealth utilization rose 10.1% in 1st quarter of 2026 (5% to 5.51% medical claims). Most use in mental health conditions (52%) w/ joint/soft tissue dz at 3% overall, higher in west & NE states. 57% for outpt visits, only 7.7% for new visits. 35% for psychotherapy services. https://t.co/L8c7p3iQPL
Mrinalini Dey
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#OP0159 #EULAR2026
Multimodal study in D2T RA identified altered brain connectivity patterns linked to pain, psychological features & peripheral transcriptomics. Supports neuroimmune component in D2T RA & need for personalised approaches beyond inflammation control. @RheumNow https://t.co/qMQbkiMCwX
Aurelie Najm
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Depression at RA diagnosis did not predict short-term CV events in a nationwide early RA cohort
-17,669 early RA pts
-7.3% BL depression
-Median follow-up 1.2 years
-No association w/ CV hospitalisation after adjustment (sHR 1.05)
Reassuring short-term data, longer follow-up https://t.co/XmMVGY1VlI
Bella Mehta
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Using AI to integrate EHR, SDOH , psychological data - can help finding psychosocial risk factors.
Complex cases can be diagnosed using solutions (iceberg health) like this. #EULAR2026 @rheumnow https://t.co/t4keRbpkrx
Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof
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#EULAR2026 OP0220 How can we improve physical function of #SLE patients? Cross-sectional study of 2 US cohorts: poor physical function was associated with Fatigue, depression, learned helplessness and perceived stress. We should focus on improving fatigue & wellbeing @RheumNow https://t.co/vAFqYyuzgN
Nelly ZIADE 🍀
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🔍 Do posterior element lesions progress over 10 years in axSpA?
Data from the DESIR inception cohort (n=320) says RARELY!
But baseline PE inflammation raises facet ankylosis risk ~70-fold
#POS0189 #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/PdwlPGjKqK
Aurelie Najm
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D2T RA shows a linked brain–psychology–immune signature
Cohort D2T RA vs non-D2T RA vs HC
91% D2T RA
Higher catastrophizing
Higher pain sensitivity
More emotion-focused coping strategies
“Chronic pain-like” profile
Associated with higher CNS related gene expression NRG1 https://t.co/nkQco73vqI
Bella Mehta
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Sad to see this but important to be aware. Increasing risk of suicide using colchicine in Familial Mediterranean Fever. #POS0768 #EULAR2026 @rheumnow.
Average age 28! 87%female, only 7 % with psychiatric referral!
Retrospective 15 pts. https://t.co/241SE6O395
Dr. John Cush
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RA comorbidities are changing. ILD, anxiety, depression increasing. Less extraartic. manifestations, CA & CV dz. Consider screening for cervical CA, ILD, CV dz & OP (for pts on steroids) https://t.co/WVITFXNva7 https://t.co/tggdaO9RJB
Dr. John Cush
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Integrating D2T into T2T Practices in RA
Researchers at Semmelweis University analyzed how depression, smoking, obesity, sleep disorders, and other health problems are linked to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T-RA) and how this can inform treat-to-target (T2T) and https://t.co/buCXeK2jNS
Dr. John Cush
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"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear."
- Mark Twain https://t.co/xyJqiV7biI
Dr. John Cush
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Depression screening (PHQ-8) equally accurate in pts w/ & w/o chronic pain. Depression screening is not biased by overlapping symptoms in depression and chronic pain. https://t.co/UWf97NDPAK https://t.co/7dvt35RT9E
