ICYMI: Adalimumab Addition vs. Methotrexate Escalation in Psoriatic Arthritis

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An interesting study in Lancet Rheumatology shows that psoriatic arthritis patients not responding to methotrexate alone can respond after adding or escalating adalimumab on top of methotrexate to reach minimal disease activity (MDA) response. 

What Worries You, Masters You (7.1.2022)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews recent news, regulatory and guideline updates from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Studies on methotrexate use, COVID vaccination, Supplements and vitamins, and arthrocentesis despite anticoagulation are discussed.

Podcast on Podcasting (6.24.22)

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A tutorial on podcasting - what works and what does not, 7 keys to podcast success, who and what is it for, and more!

Simultaneous Versus Staged Knee Arthoplasty?

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Aside from cost, there are significant concerns regarding efficacy and safety outcomes and recovery time. These issues are compounded with the need for bilateral TKR, wherein the patient and surgeon need to decide whether to have both TKRs done simultaneously or staged (single TKR one after another with a recovery period in between).

Burnout Threatens the Rheumatology Workforce Conundrum

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There is a shortage of rheumatologists in Canada and the recent 2020 Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) Workforce and Wellness study shows that the shortage may be compounded by rheumatologist burnout, especially among young and female physicians. 

Two Week Twitter (6.17.2022)

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Dr. Jack Cush does a 2-week review of RheumNow Tweets on news and journal citations worth noting, along with some opinions on Telehealth, manpower, monkeypox and the price of drugs.

ACR Applauds FTC Decision to Investigate PBM's

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The American College of Rheumatology applauds the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to investigate the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which continue to increase PBM profit margins while placing the burden of skyrocketing drug costs on America’s most vulnerable patients,

To TDM or Not in Rheumatology?

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Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), especially for biologic therapies, has become a standard in gastroenterology, but shunned by most rheumatologists.

Biologic Persistence in Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis

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Two recent studies examined the durability and persistence of biologic agents in patients with psoriasis (PSO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and while some differences were noted overall persistence was low 3 years later.

Rising Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Data from Olmstead county, MN over the past four decades shows that the incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is increasing.

SLE was diagnosed using the EULAR/ACR criteria and looked at patients seen between 1976–2018.

Acute Inflammatory Responses Needed to Resolve Chronic Pain

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Science Translational Medicine has published results of a Canadian study of low back pain (LBP) suggests that pain control by anti-inflammatory treatments might have negative effects on pain duration and may be counterproductive for long-term pain outcomes.

Bimekizumab Development Delayed by FDA

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UCB announced they have received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the Biologics License Application (BLA) for bimekizumab for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PSO).

Methotrexate Monitoring (5.13.2022)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Bad news for digitial ulcers in Systemic sclerosis, Readmissions in Lupus and Thrombocytopenia in APL patients.

A Day in the Life: Consults with a Rheumatology Fellow

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Join medical resident Siobhan Deshauer, MD, as she visits three hospitals for inpatient rheumatology.

Diagnostic Delays in Spondyloarthritis Still Prolonged

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Previously quoted average  delay in diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) may be improving as a recent UK study shows the mean average time to diagnosis in two different NHS trusts was between five and six years. 

Trends in Rheumatoid Arthritis Disabililty, Despite Biologics

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Disability claims in the U.S. related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were just as common in 2015 as in 1999, a government researcher found, against expectations that the advent of biologic therapy would have led to a steady decrease.

Consensus Best Practices for Virtual Care in Rheumatology

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The Canadian Rheumatology Association’s (CRA) Telehealth Working Group (TWG) has developed a series of best practice statements for the virtual care in adult and pediatric rheumatology patients.

The Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Lupus Outcomes

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Socioeconomic status (SES) often associates with poorer outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients; and a current study suggests this is unrelated to healthcare access issues.