Anabolic Abaloparatide Looks Promising in Osteoporosis Fracture Prevention

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The osteoporsis therapeutics arena is starting to fill with new drugs and novel mechanisms of action.

CDC Reports 31 Million Older Americans Don't Get Adequate Exercise

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The Sept.16th issue of MMWR reports that many Americans over age 50 are not getting sufficient exercise, thereby increasing their risk for falls, fractures and comorbidities, if not premature death. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2cPAcq9)

New Shingles Vaccine Effective for up to Four Years

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In the current issue of the NEJM, a Herpes zoster subunit vaccine was reported to be highly effective in adults - specifically in 2 studies (ZOE50 and ZOE70) targeting adults over age 50 and over age 70 years. (Citation source: http://buff.ly/2cMng17)

DSB Reports and Updates - September 2016

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Updates and journal articles on opioids, drug induced sarcoidosis, cancer and cancer recurrence risks with TNF inhibitors and biologics, and FDA labeling changes.

Fibromyalgia - Should Internists Manage a Contested Illness?

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The current issue of ACP Internist discusses the considerable dissent among the medical community about fibromyalgia (FM), its cause, diagnosis and care. This review addresses many concerns with input from well-known experts in rheumatology.

Adalimumab Lowers Risk of Uveitis Flares in Visual I Study

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Rheumatologists may encounter patients with intermediate, posterior and pan-uveitis as part of certain rheumatic diseases such as Behcet’s, but more frequently may be called on to co-manage these patients with steroid sparing agents.

Aspergillus Arthritis - A Rare Opportunistic Infection

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The International Osteoarticular Mycoses Consortitum has publist their review Aspergillus arthritis caused by invasive aspergillosis.

Their review identified 31 evaluable cases, 87% of whom were males and adults.

CPAP Use Fails to Prevent CV Events in Sleep Apnea Patients

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There are numerous health hazards associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Lupus Patients at Higher Risk for Heart Failure

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Although cardiovascular disease and complications have been well-described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the association between SLE and heart failure (HF) remains undefined.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 9 September 2016

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com, including IBD/TNFi and cancer risk, fracture nonunion, PMR worse in women, not treating asymptomatic hyperuricemia, and shingles followed by stroke.

Shingles Plus Autoimmune Disease Hikes Stroke Risk

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Patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases who develop herpes zoster are at increased risk of stroke for the subsequent 3 months, with risks diminishing thereafter, analysis of Medicare data showed.

P. Gingivalis Antibodies Antedate Rheumatoid Arthritis Onset

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Periodontal disease, gingivitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis have been linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA).

Karolinska Scandal May Undermine the Nobel Prize

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Nature reports that the Karolinska Institute and the affiliated Karolinska Hospital are being scrutinized for violations regarding stem cell research in patients without sufficient pre-clinical research, research ethics approval, or approval from regulatory authorities.

Is Biologic Safety Different in the Elderly?

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The factors that influence the safety of biologic therapy are numerous. Amongst them, increasing age is a potential risk factor, moreso if you also consider the polypharmacy, comorbidities and longer disease duration inherent in an elderly group of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

AMA Policy on Freebies and Meals Clarified

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A recent JAMA Internal Medicine report on pharmaceutical-sponsored meals disclosed that a $20 meal provided by a drug company could yields 2-5 times more prescriptions.  (Citation source http://buff.ly/2cd58i0)

EMRs Causing Physician Burnout

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Researchers suggest that the burden of EHRs could contribute to physician burnout. The findings of a time and motion study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

RheumNow Week in Review – 2 September 2016

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from this week in RheumNow:

Flares Portend Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis - Time for a New Strategy?

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Disease flares are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), often causing patients to seek additional care, if not medication.

The frequency of flares varies amongst studies in different populations.  But the consequence of flares has only recently been studied.

Cost of Osteoporosis Care in the USA

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The 2010 NHANES study suggests that the overall prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in the USA is ~10% or 10.2 million older adults (> 50 yrs) had osteoporosis.