Best of 2018: U.S. News 2018-19 Rheumatology Rankings

Save

The Annual U.S. News and World Report Rankings of Hospitals has listed the top contenders in the field of rheumatology. The U.S. News Review rates hospitals nationwide in 16 specialties – including rheumatology. Of the 4,500 hospitals covered by U.S.

Best of 2018: Patients May Not Fill Your Prescription

Save

A new study linking administrative claims and electronic health records (EHRs) shows that nearly 40% of patients fill and take newly prescribed methotrexate (MTX), tofacitinib or biologics. 

Kan et al set out to estimate the extent and predictors of primary nonadherence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who received new prescriptions for methotrexate, biologics or tofacitinib.

Best of 2018: Ustekinumab May be Effective in Lupus

Save

Ronald F van Vollenhoven and colleagues have reported in Lancet that ustekinumab (UST), an interleukin-12 and -23 inhibitor, when added to usual therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, was shown to be superior to placebo at improving clinical efficacy and laboratory param

Best of 2018: Unproven But Profitable Stem Cell Clinics

Save

Stem cell clinics are popular and proliferating as they are largely a cash business and fall outside of FDA regulatory control. In lieu of scientific proof, most advocates use patient testimonials and the placebo effect to back up their claims.

Mourning the Loss of NIAMS Director Stephen Katz, MD, PhD

Save

The following tribute to the late Dr. Steven Katz appeared on the NIH website. 

RheumNow Podcast – Rheumatologist Salaries (12.21.18)

Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news from RheumNow for the week ending 12/21/18.

Zolendronate Protects Against Fracture in Osteopenia

Save

The NEJM reports that the use of zoledronate significantly reduces the risk of nonvertebral or vertebral fragility fractures in women with osteopenia.

Reassuring VTE Data for Tofacitinib

Save

No significant differences in risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) were seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and those receiving tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, analysis of administrative data showed.