ACR Applauds Prior Authorization Rule

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The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), on behalf of over 9,100 rheumatologists and rheumatology professional team members, applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for finalizing its Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes for Medicare Adva

Severe Hypocalcemia Risk with Denosumab and CKD Patients

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On 1-19-2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication about the risk of severe hypocalcemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients taking denosumab for osteoporosis, with an accentuated risk in older women who are dialysis-dependent.

This report is an update to their November 2022 investigation, the results of a related study being recently reported in JAMA.

Methotrexate Nodulosis (1.19.2024)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com. How good (or not) are rheumatologists and what to do about MTX nodulosis?

Rheumatologists and the Early Diagnosis of Spondyloarthritis

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SPACE study of adults referred to rheumatology with less than 2 years of chronic back pain (CBP), shows that only one-third can be reliably diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

CMS Final Rule on Prior Authorization Reforms

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Prior authorizations and paperwork are killing medical providers; the good news is that a new CMS rule may lessen the burden.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that they have finalized the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule, designed to improve prior authorization processes and reduce burden on patients, providers, and payers, with a resultant $15 billion of estimated savings over ten years.

Fertility and Rheumatoid Onset

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British women whose capability of bearing children either started late or ended early -- naturally or otherwise -- were at increased risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), compared with women with earlier menarche or later menopause, researchers found.

2023 EULAR Non-pharmacological Management of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: 2023 update

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EULAR has published the 2023 updated recommendations for the optimal non-pharmacological management of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Sodium Channels, Carbemazepine and Osteoarthritis Progression

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A study published in Nature suggests that therapies affecting sodium channels could be employed to treat osteoarthritis.

2023 Rheumatology Year in Review

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights, advances and hot topics in rheumatology from 2023 and the RheumNow website.  

2023 was a year of growth and new horizons while returning to operational and practice standards (in care and education) established before the pandemic.  

Increased CV Comorbidity in Dermatomyositis

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A cohort study suggest that patients with dermatomyositis (DM) are at an increased risk for multiple comorbidities, including chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease,

Drug-Induced Dermatomyositis

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A JAMA Dermatology systematic review of drug-induced dermatomyositis (DM) found the most commonly implicated agents include hydroxyurea, immune checkpoint inhibitors, statins and lipid-lowering agents, penicillamine, and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

2023 Rheumatology Year in Review

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Here is my top 10 list (in no particular order) of 2023 advances, game-changers, and developments that changed, or will soon change, rheumatologic practices.

Enthesitis, Synovitis, and Tenosynovitis in Psoriatic Arthritis

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An ultrasound study suggests that enthesitis is associated with both synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with Psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Does Weight Loss Really Work in Gout?

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A clinical trial has shown that obese gout patients will benefit from diet and lowered body weight, but weight loss was not associated with beneficial effects on serum urica acid (SUA), fatigue or pain.

Sarcopenia Linked to Smoking in Osteoarthritis

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Sarcopenia commonly has been linked to aging and arthritis and contributes significantly to quality of life and outcomes, but the association between sarcopenia and OA has not been well established.

Biomarker Predicts Survival in Autoimmune Lung Disease

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One major subgroup of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) arising from polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) survived significantly longer when serum levels of interferon-λ3 were relatively low, researchers found.

Best of 2023: Does Biologic Treatment in Psoriasis Reduce the Risk of Psoriatic Arthritis?

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Retrospective claims analysis shows that psoriasis patients treated with either an IL-12/23 inhibitor or an IL-23 inhibitor had a lower risk of developing incident psoriatic arthritis, compared to TNF inhibitors or IL-17 inhibitors.

StillsNow Podcast December 2023 - ACR23 Highlights

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews selected AOSD & systemic JIA abstracts from the ACR 2023 Annual meeting held in San Diego, November 12th thru 16th.

Best of 2023: ACR Guidelines for Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Rheumatic Conditions

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The American College of Rheumatology released summaries of two new guidelines for the Screening and Monitoring of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease and for the Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

Best of 2023: EULAR/ACR Guidance on Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome

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A EULAR/American College of Rheumatology task force has established evidence based, up-to-date guidance and expert opinion on the evaluation, management and monitoring of patients with Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), with the primary intent to halt disease progression and prevent life-threatening complications from HLH/MAS.